Matt Kohn found inspiration in the story of Slomo — a doctor who stopped being an asshole and now spends the majority of his time rollerblading along the Pacific.
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I came across this story a few months ago as it was trending through social media and fell in love with it. Call me a hippy, call me mentally ill, tell me I have a screw loose (what’s new), but I love this story. If I had to pick any one person who perfectly embodies the ideals and themes of identifying your passions and purpose and then carrying them out, I think that person would be Slomo.
Slomo, formerly known as Dr. John Kitchin, was a hot-shot neurologist who seemed to have it all: a top-notch job, financial security, a fancy assortment of sports cars, an exotic animal farm (say what?!) and more. However, John was empty. After a failed marriage and eyesight issues, he realized it was time to reevaluate himself and his life. After looking to his career and questioning his work as a doctor, John Kitchin had an epiphany: he was an asshole, and it was time to make a change.
I love this guy, most notably because he possesses the following characteristics:
1. Self-awareness
It took him a while to realize it, but finally Dr. John Kitchin realized he was an asshole. He realized that material things did not bring him lasting happiness. While a few circumstances catalyzed the process, John took a step back and thought about the big picture and his purpose and role in this life: “How much of today promoted me spiritually, and how much of it promoted me financially?” he asked himself. Despite spending countless hours and years of his life devoted to his career as a doctor, Kitchin finally realized that he was not satisfied.
2. Courage
After making the previously mentioned realizations – being an asshole, discontent with material things, not being satisfied, etc. – Kitchin had the courage to leave it all behind for the thing that he loved and was passionate about. He realized that he didn’t have to live the life that others expected of him – he could do what he loved without any reservations.
3. Apathy
After making the radical transformation from Dr. John Kitchin to Slomo, he heard a multitude of criticisms and disapproval of his newfound identity. Slomo said, “Nobody thought I was normal. Even me, I had been trained to think this was a type of mental illness.” However, Slomo was apathetic to the “haters”. He had been a hater before, he had been an asshole, he had lived the life that others expected of him – however he had experienced a sense of divinity in his skating and knew that no other thing in this world could bring him the same amount of joy and satisfaction.
“The people that love Slomo are cheering for one person that got away, that escaped, and got to real freedom where he skates all day, doesn’t apologize… he’s simply doing what he wants to.”
Slomo has found it. For Slomo, it is skating. And those who see Slomo in action, carving up San Diego’s boardwalk, are enamored by the energy and passion he exudes. After all, why would someone take the time to create a documentary about some old, senile dude who spends his days skating around?
I think the answer to this question is what excites me and all those who witness Slomo’s story. While we may not relate to his undying love for rollerblading, we recognize his passion for not only skating, but for life. We are inspired and we crave to find something for ourselves that causes this same effect in our own lives.
Well folks, I have good news. We don’t have to first be John Kitchin before we become Slomo. We don’t have to be an asshole before we become compassionate, caring and loving. We don’t have to spend ten or twenty or thirty or more years doing something that doesn’t excite us or bring joy to others. We can start today finding it. We can start right now. And we owe it to ourselves and others to do so. We must find it.
Now I’m not saying you need to go and build a super successful career or devote your entire life to a hobby of yours. That would be foolish.
What I am saying is that if you are not spending your short time on this Earth doing things that excite and bring you happiness, then what’s the point?
When I think back on those who have had the greatest impact on my life, there are two things that stand out above all of the other reasons – those who have selflessly given of themselves for my benefit (looking at you Mom, Dad, Mommom, Grammy, and all my other family and friends) and those who are so in love with and passionate about what they do that I can’t help but not listen to them (professors, teachers, coaches, etc.). Maybe that’s why I am so fascinated by Slomo – because he embodies the same characteristics of those whom I owe so much to and those whom I aspire to be like.
Following Slomo’s lead – we must first be self-aware. Realize who you are and what you do. But more importantly, seek to understand why you do what you do. Take a step back and be aware of what makes you tick – what makes you happy, what makes you sad? What can you talk about for hours on end without ever growing tired? What makes you come alive? This process takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. But the simple fact that you begin asking yourself these questions means that you are one step closer to being awesome and one step further away from being an asshole. After we are self-aware and realize what thing or things makes us tick – be brave. Be bold. Be courageous. Don’t hold back from chasing whatever it is that brings you excitement and joy. Lastly, don’t care what others think. Inspire others and lead by example, knowing that what you do makes you come alive. So damn it, do what you want. Do what you love.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”― Howard Thurman
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Slomo inspires me at 66.. https://youtu.be/H1Ari-DFMuk
He had been a hater? Where are you getting that from? That’s pretty inventive of you.