Life’s Too Short: A 54-Year-Old’s Wake-Up Call and the Search for Self-Actualization
Now Featuring: Pop-up Liege Waffle Shoppe!

March 1st, 2024—an ordinary day to most, but for me, it marked a pivotal turning point. At 54, I realized something I think we all come to face: life is short. There’s a certain clarity that comes with the understanding that the years ahead may be fewer than those behind. It’s a sobering thought, but one that prompted me to take a step back, recalibrate, and ask myself, What am I waiting for? What’s the point of working hard your whole life if you could get hit by a bus the day after retirement?

“Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.” — William Wallace

In the spirit of this new mindset, I did something spontaneous and a little wild: I threw on some board shorts, slipped into flip-flops, and headed straight for the nearest pool—even though it was freezing! Yes, you read that right. The shock of cold water hitting me was exactly what I needed to snap me out of the routine and into something new. That chilly plunge wasn’t just about waking up my body; it was about waking up my mind. Sometimes, a little jolt is all it takes to clear away the distractions and get you thinking: What’s next?

The Road to Self-Actualization: Finding My Path

The thing is, we all hear the term self-actualization, but how do you actually get there? What does that look like in real life? I started thinking about all the possibilities. Should I start a podcast? I’ve always loved sharing stories and connecting with people. A podcast would allow me to do that while building a community of like-minded individuals. Or, what if I designed apps? With technology everywhere, the idea of creating something that could make a real impact on people’s lives felt exciting. But as I thought more about it, I realized both ideas still felt a bit… impersonal.

What if I could create something more tangible? Something that would speak directly to my soul and bring joy to others? Maybe a local concert—something to bring the community together, celebrate life, and just have fun. But what kind of concert? What would the theme be? And so the brainstorming continued.

The Realization: Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures

But then it hit me. I don’t need to have everything figured out all at once. There’s power in starting small, taking those first steps, and seeing where they lead. And as I reflected on what truly brought me joy, I remembered my time in Belgium as a child—savoring the sweet, comforting goodness of Liege Waffles. There’s something magical about the taste of an authentic Liege Waffle, something that instantly transports you to another place that is cobblestoned and probably raining but the warmth of this waffle and who you share time with eating it is magical`. And that’s when the idea clicked: I could bring this little piece of Belgian greatness to North Texas.

As much as I admired the entrepreneurial spirit of folks like Colonel Sanders, who didn’t start KFC until he was 62, I decided it was time to make my own mark. Colonel Sanders was just a man with a dream to share his secret fried chicken recipe, and by the time he passed away, KFC had reached a global scale. It always looked like he was having a blast, opening stores & spreading the word on his secret recipe. Well, I’ve got a secret too—sharing my special Liege Waffle recipe with others, perfected over the years in my (and other folks) kitchens from Belgium to Texas brings that type of joy to my life—and I’m ready to share it with the world.

Introducing the Pop-up Liege Waffle Shoppe!

So, here’s the exciting part: I’m opening a pop-up Liege Waffle Shoppe! It’s going to be a chance for everyone in my community to experience a small slice of Belgian ambiance, right here in North Texas. Imagine biting into a freshly made Liege Waffle, warm, caramelized sugar crunching as you savor the rich, buttery flavor. It's comfort food, it’s happiness on a plate, and I’m bringing it to you, right here in my community.

The pop-up shop is for anyone within 30 miles miles of Altoga, TX, to experience the waffles that made my childhood so memorable. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll expand and ship these sweet delights nationwide (overnight shipping—eventually, but not just yet!). For now, though, this is my way of bringing a little joy to North Texas, one waffle at a time.

Embracing the Journey

I’m still figuring out what’s next. I don’t have a crystal-clear vision of where this will lead, but I do know where I’m headed. The journey is what matters. I’m not waiting for a grand plan to fall into place. I’m making small steps, trying new things, and learning along the way. That’s where the magic happens.

As I dive into this new chapter, I encourage you to do the same. Life’s too short not to try new things, to follow your passions, and to live fully. Whether you’re 24, 54, or 84, it’s never too late to start. You don’t know what amazing adventures are waiting for you until you take that first step. Whether that’s opening a waffle shop, starting a podcast, or taking a spontaneous dive into a chilly pool—you never know where it’ll lead.

And so, I invite you to join me on this journey. YOU are in on it! IYKYK (If You Know You Know) you are part of this journey now so follow, lead or get out the way. Come taste the best Liege waffles you’ve ever had, spread the good word and let’s savor life together. Because, in the end, the question isn’t what’s next—it’s about enjoying the ride and and what’s right in front of you making the most of every step along the way.

Respectfully,

-Uno DeKine-

Predict the future by creating it

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