What another lovely piece of writing. A lot of things I "know" but ignore, or deny. Thanks for I can't wait for the next one. Two thoughts, not that you asked: 1. Good sleep fixes everything. As does time, and a hot meal. In cold weather training, we were always instructed that if we were in a dire situation... had been wandering around in a bad blizzard and things were hopeless.... stop, dig a hole, start a cooking fire, and make some hot chocolate and a warm meal if possible. People rarely die in a blizzard on a full, warm stomach. Although that was not what you said, specifically, it is something I have learned and relearned. My worst moments in my career were not a function of lack of work ethic or trying... they were a result of sacrificing the basics that you described so well in this missive. On a lighter note... I take exception to your assertion that words have meaning. Words are socially constructed, and as such, they have no inherent value. IMHO. People give words meaning, and different people can ascribe different meanings to the same word. I recall a higher ranking officer that interrupted one of my partners during a lecture with "that is a made up word!". His response: All words are made up. Languages are dynamic and living. Now... sorry for the long response! I have to go read my wife. :)
Brett, Thanks for your comments! It is true that sleep can't fix everything, but as you point out, the combo of sleep, time, and hot chow would come close. Nothing is hopeless when you get some hot wets in you.
I stopped understanding you after that. It was as if your words had no meaning.
I truly appreciate your reading and hope that you get something out of it. Hope the family is doing well and that you have a happy American Thanksgiving tomorrow.
I love the idea of changing your identity to effect change......Purpose defines identity. I had a battalion commander who would always ask you "what is your purpose?". He would tell me in confidence how amazed he was at how many people couldn't answer that question. If I'm being honest, it really challenged me to define my purpose. Now, I ask myself that question daily.
Thanks BB! You're right, everything begins with knowing your purpose. That's the destination. If you don't know where you are going, it doesn't matter what path you take.
What another lovely piece of writing. A lot of things I "know" but ignore, or deny. Thanks for I can't wait for the next one. Two thoughts, not that you asked: 1. Good sleep fixes everything. As does time, and a hot meal. In cold weather training, we were always instructed that if we were in a dire situation... had been wandering around in a bad blizzard and things were hopeless.... stop, dig a hole, start a cooking fire, and make some hot chocolate and a warm meal if possible. People rarely die in a blizzard on a full, warm stomach. Although that was not what you said, specifically, it is something I have learned and relearned. My worst moments in my career were not a function of lack of work ethic or trying... they were a result of sacrificing the basics that you described so well in this missive. On a lighter note... I take exception to your assertion that words have meaning. Words are socially constructed, and as such, they have no inherent value. IMHO. People give words meaning, and different people can ascribe different meanings to the same word. I recall a higher ranking officer that interrupted one of my partners during a lecture with "that is a made up word!". His response: All words are made up. Languages are dynamic and living. Now... sorry for the long response! I have to go read my wife. :)
Brett, Thanks for your comments! It is true that sleep can't fix everything, but as you point out, the combo of sleep, time, and hot chow would come close. Nothing is hopeless when you get some hot wets in you.
I stopped understanding you after that. It was as if your words had no meaning.
I truly appreciate your reading and hope that you get something out of it. Hope the family is doing well and that you have a happy American Thanksgiving tomorrow.
I love the idea of changing your identity to effect change......Purpose defines identity. I had a battalion commander who would always ask you "what is your purpose?". He would tell me in confidence how amazed he was at how many people couldn't answer that question. If I'm being honest, it really challenged me to define my purpose. Now, I ask myself that question daily.
Thanks BB! You're right, everything begins with knowing your purpose. That's the destination. If you don't know where you are going, it doesn't matter what path you take.