Sound advice
Friday, Jun 28, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hannah Meisel at the Daily Line interviewed Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who sponsored several major pieces of legislation this year, including cannabis legalization and the Reproductive Health Act. The whole thing is definitely worth a read, but here’s an excerpt…
The last week of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session included many lengthy floor debates on legislation ranging from Cassidy’s two signature bills, to a change in firearm identification cards for gun owners, to a measure that will allow the question of a constitutional amendment for a graduated income tax on the November 2020 ballot.
By the time the House reached an overtime agreement on a package of budget, revenue, gaming and infrastructure bills late on Friday and Saturday, lawmakers kept saying how remarkable it was that those issues were so non-controversial in comparison.
Cassidy said it was a strange phenomenon that so much going on in the Capitol during the waning days of session seemed to come back to her and her cosponsors’ work on those two blockbuster bills. […]
For those moments, Cassidy says she hearkens back to the advice of Dave Sullivan, a former Republican senator and current statehouse lobbyist.
“He has a phrase that he uses that has become a bit of a mantra for me: ‘Watch the rollercoaster, don’t ride it,’” Cassidy said. “That’s a really important principle to keep in mind in May, because if you get on the rollercoaster, you’re not driving it.”
Dave is Zen personified.
…Adding… If you click here and scroll down, you can listen to all of this in a podcast. Or, click the link in this tweet…
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 9:32 am:
It’s really amazing how Rep. Cassidy and her colleagues worked marijuana legalization to overcome obstacles and get it done. That’s focus and working it instead of being overcome by ups and downs, doubts and fears.
It’s amazing also how the capital bill came together at the last minute, with Pritzker meeting with GA leaders and agreeing to pro-business reforms (per an article out today).
What a spectacular change from the previous governor and his refusal to compromise and destructive war against Madigan and unions.
- Glenn - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 9:34 am:
“Let your attitude control the game; don’t let the game control your attitude.”
One of those bits of advice I gave myself so that my golf game wouldn’t play out like a roller coaster.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 9:39 am:
Dave Sullivan is one of the people I can count on one hand… if I had a question, problem, political or governmental issue that needed a sounding board, I’d absolutely try to know his thoughts to that.
Cool, calm, level-headed, Sullivan understands more, and sees and hears more, by being the Zen needed. Head and shoulders, no pun intended, above the crowd.
To the Post,
I’m not surprised Rep. Cassidy and Sullivan spoke and that each listen and give thoughts to the cycle that is legislative processes.
Successful people gravitate to other successful people because once you think you know it all or can’t learn from another, you’ve lost all that makes you… successful. Really cool insight with that grab.
- Earnest - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 9:41 am:
>“When things got hard, I’d text my friend and be like, ‘Puppy pics, stat!’” Cassidy joked.
Sounds like a blog I know.
- Big Jer - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:10 am:
Glenn—One of those bits of advice I gave myself so that my golf game wouldn’t play out like a roller coaster.==
Not to get on a golf tangent but one of my favorite movies and golf movies is Shia Labeouf’s The Greatest Game Ever Played.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Game_Ever_Played
I use that movie to remind me to adapt and to borrow the phrase, “it’s not what happens to you that matters, it is your attitude to what happens that matters”.
Even though I do not play golf (prone to skin cancer), on an individual level I think golf is a good teacher of dealing with adversity.
- NothsideNoMore - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:17 am:
Two very thoughtful and intelligent individuals who may not be aligned on some issues personally, They understand and respect the process and others that participate in the same.
- Springfield - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:33 am:
Dave is a solid advocate and always helpful. When I heard that his sister died at the end of May I could not believe he kept going so strong and appeared not to miss a beat. I’ve heard him talk about family so I know it could not have been easy. But he certainly delivered for his clients. I guess that’s zen.
- Truthteller - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:49 am:
A welcome change to see out of some of our elected officials. We need more of this
- Abe - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:55 am:
Big stuff goin on in Illinois. Glad specil interests are on the right sides of the issues. Reproductive rights have always interested me sooo much in this changing landscpe.
- SpfdNewb - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 11:36 am:
>“When things got hard, I’d text my friend and be like, ‘Puppy pics, stat!’” Cassidy joked.
-Sounds like a blog I know.-
got a link to said blog?
- Glenn - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 1:12 pm:
-Big Jer-”I think golf is a good teacher of dealing with adversity.”
The idea of taking pride in “playing the ball as it lies” also helped me deal with a major cancer in my family.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 1:14 pm:
===Not to get on a golf tangent but one of my favorite movies and golf movies is Shia Labeouf’s The Greatest Game Ever Played.===
Agreed. The story of Francis and Eddie, loyalty, and the traditions and rules of the game… it’s a great film on golf. The score to the film too… whew.
- Bourbon Street - Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
Speaking of “puppy pics, stat” and Zen, how about a photo of Oscar to get our weekend off to a good start, Rich? Ideally, he’d be on a golf course, but that’s not, strictly speaking, necessary.