Don’t Jump The Shark / How to Create Happier Days

A moment to reflect

Growing up, I was a big Happy Days fan. I even had the lunch box. On my birthday in 1977, Fonzie did something wild. He water-skied over a shark.

Crazy, right?

It was a dare. Another guy didn’t think The Fonz was tough. He was triggered and didn’t Pause Breathe Reflect. As a result, Fonzie’s ego was directing the show, and nobody was going to mess with Arthur Fonzarelli. 

Richie and the rest of the gang told him he shouldn’t do it, but Fonzie didn’t listen. He thought he knew better. But deep down, he was scared. Scared of looking weak. So he jumped.

And yeah, he landed it.

But Happy Days was never the same. 

That moment became the origin of the phrase “jumping the shark.” The point when something goes too far and starts to unravel.

Sound familiar?

Have you seen any examples this week?

We see it all the time now because there’s a pull to be edgy.

Action rooted in vengeance and ego dressed up as toughness.

But confident people don’t beat up their friends. And they don’t make the vulnerable more vulnerable. It’s not cool.

Some may consider Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate speech a Fonzie-esque stunt.

Was it dramatic? Absolutely.

Showy? Sure.

A stunt? Maybe on the surface.

But it wasn’t about proving how tough he is. In the spirit of John Lewis, he was trying to create “good trouble.” Trying to wake us up before we jumped the shark.

Happy Days lost its way, forgot what it was about, and got canceled.

That doesn’t have to be our fate.

We can remember our better angels, let love, not ego, drive the boat,

and realized we don’t have to jump the shark. 

Because, ultimately, this is our show and we can do the work to create happier days for all of us not just some of us. 

Until next week, have fun storming the castle!

Michael 

p.s., You’re invited to our Monday Morning Motivational practice at 7:30 am to help you start the week off on the right foot. 

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