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.
