From Logos to Liquor: A Means to an End

'If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.' - Jim Rohn

Hello, fellow doers and pursuers,

Too often, we become so hyper-focused on the outcome of a project or endeavor that we lose sight of the steps required to achieve it—or even the means to make it happen.

When I finally sobered up, I made a promise to myself: I would put down the title of Bartender and step fully into the role of Entrepreneur. And to be honest with you, things are going well.

I've made real strides with Goodie Hoodies. The blog has surpassed 1,000 views—something that still shocks me. Trevor and I have concrete plans to build a podcast “studio” and begin verbalizing our thoughts on challenges men face, overcoming adversity, and highlighting the philosophies, ideas, and strategies that can help you take back control of your life. Manic Man Cave ---> The Podcast (I'm awfully proud of that name, by the way).

There’s also a YouTube channel in the works: The Logos Lab.

Here’s a little context on the name. Scribe (I named my AI assistant), you’re up.

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Logos: A Brief Historical Context

Logos is a fundamental concept in Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle, and later the Stoics and early Christians. It roughly translates to “word,” “reason,” “principle,” or “divine order.”

• Heraclitus (c. 535–475 BCE) described Logos as the underlying principle of the cosmos—a rational, ordering force that governs change and unity. He famously said, “Everything flows” (Panta Rhei), suggesting that while the universe is in constant flux, it remains ordered by Logos.

• Stoic Philosophy (3rd century BCE - 3rd century CE) viewed Logos as the rational structure of the universe—almost like a divine, natural law that humans should align with to live virtuously.

• Christian Theology (1st century CE - onward) identified Logos with Christ. The Gospel of John (1:1) states, “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This frames Jesus as the divine reason and order behind creation.

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The idea behind The Logos Lab is to bring together scientific, theological, and metaphysical ideas in one place and attempt to explain them as I understand them.

Here's the link -> https://www.youtube.com/@thelogoslab

Nerdy? I know.

But with success comes struggle.

My home is starting to fall into disrepair. The roof has a leak, the garden needs an overhaul, the guest bathroom floor is sinking in, and—if I’m being brutally honest—I’m broke as hell.

So, I have to apologize to my January 1st self and break a promise.

I've started applying to bars in my area (Land O’ Lakes, if any stalkers were wondering) to pick up a 2-3 day weekend gig.

Do I want to do this? No. Absolutely not. If I were alone, I’d probably struggle to live as this house crumbled around me and still find a way to survive. But that wouldn’t be healthy, nor would it create a productive environment for writing and working.

What I’m getting at here is that sometimes we have to take a slight detour from our path. Sometimes, we have to do things—ethically and morally, of course—that we don’t want to do in order to sustain our dreams.

And that’s okay.

I haven’t lost my service industry touch after 12 years. I’m also painfully aware that I’m becoming a grandpa and should probably socialize with people my age again. Plus, I genuinely enjoy taking care of people and slinging drinks.

I see this as a tool to build everything else up—a means to an end.

So, if you ever feel discouraged about taking a step back, just make sure to follow it with two steps forward.

Indistinguishably, Dorian Angelo Santolla

• Read this if you haven't yet, trust me: "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchet
• Watch this if you need some divine intervention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DqrXqhUckU
• Listen to this if you want to get the creative juices flowing: "The Battle" composed by Harry Gregson-Williams