The Brewery

Let me kick this off with a confession: I was perilously close to letting this month's blog post slip through my fingers. As the proverb goes, "Time flies when you're having fun," but in my case, it's more like "Time sprints when you're swamped."

This summer has been nothing short of a relentless whirlwind. Since May, almost every other weekend has been claimed by travel. Blend that with the rigors of work and the exhaustive process of medical school secondaries, and there's barely been a minute for introspection.

However, this frenetic pace has revealed something fundamental about my nature: I have an inherent need to juggle a productive side project. A few months back, it was launching the 'Ultimate MCAT Guide'. Then I was engrossed with 'The Daily Yiddish'. But what really caught me off guard was my sudden foray into advocacy with a petition to save a local favorite, The Brewery in State College.

You might wonder, "Why a petition?" Simply put, it provided an avenue to channel my energies into something besides the omnipresent medical school applications. So, I rolled up my sleeves, penned my thoughts, and tossed the petition into the vast digital ocean. The response was astonishing. In no time, we racked up 4,980 signatures from passionate patrons and locals. While I can't claim that the petition was the solitary force behind the council's change of heart, it certainly added weight to the public sentiment. The lesson? Never underestimate the might of a united community rallying behind a common cause.

Presently, my escapades have led me down the tech route, dabbling in web development for my company. Mind you, they neither commissioned this, nor are they even aware it's in the works. Through experience, I've grasped a golden principle in organizational dynamics: Sometimes, acting first and seeking permission later is far more effective. If you identify a lacuna, step up and plug it. By the time you present your solutions, you've already navigated the challenges, leaving little room for resistance to change. More often than not, such proactive endeavors are met with appreciation. It's a template that removes friction and fosters progressive change.

In essence, as we careen through life's challenges, these little detours and side projects lend a richer hue to our experiences. They teach us, they mold us, and they remind us of the limitless potential we hold. Until next time, keep diving headfirst into those side quests; you never know where they might lead.