JFK’s Coconut 🥥
This week’s main message:
Meaningful objects help us stay connected to who we are and where we’ve been.
Welcome back to Classic Consistency!
For the past two weeks, I’ve been listening to a biography on John F. Kennedy called An Unfinished Life.
It reminded me of an interesting story I’d heard about him and a coconut.
During WWII, JFK’s boat, the PT-109, was rammed by a Japanese destroyer.
He and his surviving crew swam to a nearby island, injured and without food.
With limited options, JFK carved a message into a coconut shell and had it delivered by natives to a nearby Allied base.
That message led to their rescue.
He kept that same coconut shell on his desk throughout his presidency.
Not as decoration—but as a reminder.
It symbolized resourcefulness, leadership under pressure, and the lives he was responsible for.
What’s your coconut?
On my desk, I have my great-grandfather’s Army Air Corps campaign hat.
He was a drill sergeant after WWII—and seeing that hat reminds me of the reason I joined the Air Force and the pride I feel continuing his legacy as a Military Training Instructor.
In my wife’s studio, she keeps a photo of her original home workout setup—just a yoga mat, two dumbbells, and a plant in the corner of our living room.
It’s a daily reminder of where she started and how far her business has come.
These aren’t just objects.
They’re anchors—silent reminders of grit, growth, and identity.
Something to think about:
What’s something meaningful you keep nearby?
What story does it tell?
When was the last time you reflected on the path that brought you here?
You don’t need a trophy to remember your victories.
Sometimes, all it takes is a coconut (or a dusty old hat) to remind you of what you’ve been through and what you’re capable of.
Thanks for reading!
— Gino
Random Coconut Fact 🌍
No one really knows where coconuts originated. They’re so resilient and buoyant that they’ve floated across oceans for centuries, planting themselves on distant shores.
Quote of the Week ✍️
“We must use time as a tool, not as a couch.” – John F. Kennedy