Where we spend our time, inside, outside. Literally, and figuratively. In the world, in our heads.
Who are we outside? Inside? The same, or different…?
These questions churn through my noggin most days, challenge me, inspire me, forward, the stop!
Then forward again. Striving to understand, live the truth, each day, nudge, speed, forward.
Inside, and outside,
Ever forward. Ever forward.
Kids walking by the home office. Often early morning, but could be any time.
My back to the door, stand-up desk, tapping away in the laptop; likely Excel or SAP, or toggling between both.
What do they see?
Do they know the efforts, the issues, the desire to do right by the business, solve the problems, get better?
Squeezing in parenting around business, or business around parenting? Is it the balance or the blend, work and the rest of your life?
What do they think?
I think I must have had these same feelings as a kid; it’s certainly a phrase we hear pretty often in our house: “I’m scared.”
It’s a catch-all phrase that the kids use when they don’t want to do something, their anxious about it, or they are in fact, scared.
The main strategy to combat the dislike, and especially the fear? Use that ol’ Thought Box I wrote on not too long ago.
Push all the bad thoughts out of the box, that one in your mind’s eye, and only let settle the good thoughts.
I think this is especially effective when you’re trying to go to sleep. Maybe is a good strategy for any apprehensive situation:
Push the bag thoughts out of your mind, push through to the other side.
It’s ok to be scared, but don’t let that apprehension or fear stop you from doing what you need to do, what you want to do.
“I’m scared.”
“Ok. But do it anyway.”
Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s weird.
Like at work, new people, new duties, new systems; or old ones too…
Like talking to people you feel sorta close to, most do, sometimes, don’t they?
Like living in a situation you didn’t anticipate, expect, really desire…but there you are.
Sometimes it’s weird.
Jerry Rig or jury rig, is the practice of making due with what you have on hand to repair something or otherwise solve a problem. Making due, that’s a good life lesson.
Things don’t always go as we’d like; sometimes to get some result close to what we want, we have to make due, make the best of the situation as it is.
Opportunities arose for this practice all the time. It promotes compromise and resilience and fortitude.
Don’t be afraid to jerry rig something if need be to accomplish your goal. Be resourceful. Make it happen.
Oh yea, and if you want to learn more about the term and it’s history, see below.
The way forward.
Compromise.
“Not every disagreement on every issue requires a war; that’s not reasonable; that’s not responsible leadership.
We elect our leaders to govern; we expect our leaders to govern.
If you’re not protecting our people and moving our society forward, you’re not governing. You’re not doing your job.
The Gang of Six, 2018.
The Gang of Eight, 2013.
The Grand Bargain, 2007.
Consider the art, the duty, of compromise. I believe it’s a fundamental trait we humans possess, and must adhere to, to co-exist in the world. We are a social species, which means we are meant to live together.
To live together, in this world, in this country, in our community, in our family, we must hone the skill and willingness to compromise.
Compromise: the path forward.
I’ve been making lists for a long time. The practice likely parallels my efforts in school, work, and life to be more organized. It’s been a mixed bag of results.
But the lists go on!
I prescribe mostly to the idea that having one (or at least only a couple few) master list(s) is a good idea.
At least, better not to use the backs of envelopes, loose/scrap paper, post-it notes to keep track of things. White board at home? Ok.
I end up making a few lists: grocery; work (at least a couple, different places, tactical, strategic; personal, those tend to be the most stagnant.
But make ‘em all the same, chase ‘em too. Every day. Do so. Let’s GO~
Up and down things go, every hour, every day. Moods, fortunes, progress, or lack there of.
Sometimes, maybe frequently, the best we can do is keep going. Sometimes the best we can do is take the step forward.
Let’s do that today. Up or down, when things settle, go forward. Let’s go forward together.
To be alive right now.
To be the parent of these three amazing kids.
To have the family I have.
To have the friends I have.
To have seen the concerts I’ve see.
To have clothes on my back, shoes on my feed, a roof over my head, and food to eat in abundance and variety and quality.
To have the job I have right now, and the career up to this point prior.
To be inspired every day.
To come back to the same foundation every day:
LOVE.
This idea, timeless. Let’s remember, often times it is so. The pressure we feel is from the circumstance we’ve put ourselves, the opportunity to benefit, to shine.
And so this particular pressure is a privilege. Let us rise to the occasion. Let us rise each day and give it our best. The moment asks nothing less; and perhaps we have nothing less to give.
Let it be so.
