02/09/2023
Remembering Jimmy Buffett: A Neighbor, A Mentor, and A Legend
Yesterday we lost a musical legend, a community icon, and a hero. The news hit home for my family and I, both literally and figuratively. For the past five years, we've been fortunate enough to live just a few doors down from him in PB. This post is a tribute to the man, his life, and the wisdom he unknowingly imparted on us.
It all began when we moved into the neighborhood and took to the beach, surfboards in tow. My 7-year-old son caught a particularly large wave and took a tumble. But kids being kids, he came up cheering. So we paddle back out for another try. Just then, an old guy on a paddleboard with a huge smile paddled up. He sat down for a moment and said few cheerful words that made my son feel like a million bucks.
As we caught a wave back to shore, someone quickly approached us and asked, "Hey, what did Jimmy Buffett say to you?" At that moment, it clicked. I had no idea that the old guy was, in fact, Jimmy Buffett.
🌊Always Have Fun
That day taught us a lesson: always have fun, especially when you're wiping out. Life is full of ups and downs; it's how you react to them that defines you. So always paddle back out, people take notice.
Music filled the evenings…
Over the years, Jimmy's presence became a sign of good surf to come. The night before a good swell, he would show up, always surrounded by family and often jamming on his guitar into the evening.
🎸Make Time for Family
His commitment to family was evident, and it served as a reminder that no matter your level of success or how busy life gets, family should always be a priority.
A Man With a Plan (de vida)…
Jimmy seemed to be a man who had found his 'Plan de Vida' or his 'Ikigai'—the reason for being. Whether it was through his music, his family, or the simple joy he found in surfing, Jimmy lived his life to the fullest.
In Costa Rica they call this living your ‘Plan de vida’, or Gods plan for your life.
🎼Find Your Life mission and LIVE IT!
Find your purpose, your Ikigai, or your 'Plan de Vida,' and live it passionately.
Through the years, there was another constant—Jimmy's faithful pup, always at his side whether he was jamming, surfing, or simply enjoying a sunrise.
🐶So last but not least, Keep a Faithful Pup by Your Side
When all else fails or when things get tough, the unconditional love of a pet can make everything seem alright.
Jimmy Buffett was not just a musical icon; he was a beacon of life lessons and inspiration for those lucky enough to be around him.
May his soul rest in peace. Thank you, Jimmy, for being a neighbor, a hero, and a legend. You will be missed but never forgotten.
