A Man’s Take on his One Little Word
Dare I call him Daddy-Bloo? I better not.
Since I am married, my wagon is hitched to my husband’s. So, I thought Dave should also get a chance to comment on the idea of ONE LITTLE WORD — from a man’s persepctive. So, here it is….
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In 2009 my word was “traction”. This worked well for me. I wanted to stop spinning my wheels, trying to catch… uh, greener grass somewhere, I guess. “Traction” meant slowing down and taking some thoughtfull deliberate steps – forward. Thanks to “traction” I left real estate sales and got back into teaching and coaching (as my wife had first suggested 4 years ago). Thanks to “traction”, I was able to take the time to fall in love with our new baby daughter this year. Thanks to “traction”, I’m happier than I was a year ago.
What’s my new “traction” word for 2010?
It needed to be something that hit me deep down. Like that movie “Rudy”. Something that inspired me and made me cry a little, but in a manly defying- the-odds sort of way. Something that combined the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps with the coolness of Johnny Depp… actually, he’s a little feminine. Maybe Matt Damon.
I know, I know. I was really all over the map on this. I needed to use the lessons from my 2009 word to help me find my 2010 word. At one point, I thought I had it: Appreciation. I shared my word with Mamabloo (aka ”my wife”) and she said “ Do you mean “graditude’? I like it! You could use some graditude!” Wait a minute, “graditude” wasn’t what I said… oh, forget it. And I kept searching.
So finally, I found it. My word for 2010 is HOME.
I am not a wordsmith. Few words actually speak to me. But this one did. To me home includes family, taking time for myself, feeling good, comfort. After gaining all that ground in 2009, I want to be sure I know why I am working 60+ hours/week, why I forced myself to change careers, why I do what I do each day. I am not really after glory or fame (though, those would be nice… I think I will let my wife get all of that). But I do need to remember the five kids that wait for me each night when I come in the door, the wife who needs a foot rub, the garbage that needs to be taken out… again, and that home is not just my wife’s responsibility. I play a part, too. Putting that in front of me this year is just what I need.
Dave,
You rock. Definitely Olympic level AND as cool as Matt Damon. Good luck on your word for the year! You have inspired me to actually think about doing this, not just think it’s a neat idea. :)
Dave…I love your word. That’s a great follow up to last year. Can’t wait to watch it!
Dave,
AMEN! :-)
Great entry, Dave! Beautiful!
A friend of mine often quoted Rabbi Silberman at Vanderbilt University. My friend had asked the Rabbi, who never used the word ‘God’ for obvious reasons, “What is your favorite expression for the almighty, for ‘God’?”
The rabbi looked at hime quickly without hesitation and said, “Of all the names, my favorite is one fo the oldest in the bible- ‘the place.’”
God is the place.
Where we are, in that moment, God is the place. How many times have I been at work thinking about what’s going on at home or at home thinking about what’s going on at church?
‘Home’ – it’s a good word Dave! I trust in the midst of the children welcoming you, the footrubs and the garbage, you’ll meet God in that place.
I love it! I have been thinking about my word all week and it is hard to come up with just one. I can do a slogan or phrase. I can come up with a paragraph of “resolutions” but one word is so hard. I feel like I need to expain everything with a million words. I think this might be a sign that I talk too much and over think everything. Maybe my word should be simplify. I will keep working on it!
I think that is a fantastic word for your year. Hope you got some points with Mamabloo for that one! ;) Can you teach Ben how to give a foot rub?
Kelly, your two comments today were so perfect. I have to say that I love your comments because they make me laugh out loud! But today, they had the content of good and wise counsel. Thank you!
Also, I am one picky poetry lover. But I LOVE Mary Oliver. I had never heard that poem before and I love it. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Kari. The laughter and wisdom are a mutual experience. While I don’t get to stay current with your blog. I tend to read back if I’ve missed any.
I’m a poetry lover too, but I wouldn’t say I’m that picky (certainly not in any refined sort of way.) Mary Oliver is near the top of my list though.
The quote is from the end of Blackwater Woods.