Tag Archives: dailyprompt

But I digress…

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A very compelling question to begin the day.

There are a number of those that have cast an impression upon me, in their way, ultimately soliciting a positive outcome in my life. Some are instantaneous in nature, sort of a spontaneous combustion event. While there are those that were merely planted, left and took months, years or decades to germinate and come to fruition.

Moments, interactions and relationships can assume an identity all their own, playing out a role that may not be readily apparent. There are those that bring with them an open and genuine level of honesty and positivity. Meant for one’s immediate care and benefit. Delivered with complete integrity, humility and a love born of servanthood to all those in need.

The impact of those interactions are immediately apparent. And I can name many that were there in that fashion, precisely when I desperately needed it.

One in particular was so in tune with my wellbeing, that he somehow called me, out of the blue, precisely during one of my worst moments, simply because he wanted me to know that he was there for me. No matter what. To this day, I remain touched by this level of loving care. The fact that I just shared this event with all of you brings tears to my eyes, despite the fact it happened well over a decade ago.

Then, there are those lessons one encounters that begin more with a somewhat arbitrary sense of conviction and desire, because its “how I did it and it works, so you should do it too.” Born more of convention or convenience. Just because. And depending on the current circumstances in one’s life, one might be more apt to surrender a bit oneself to become like them. Join the clique. Be a member of the “team”.

At first, things may reap the rewards yearned for, creating a false sense of “I made it.” But as the cost to your true being is accounted for, things slip away and you can descend into realms that taint, harm and destroy. There might be ways to assuage this sense of loss and losing recognition of who it is you were to start. But ultimately, it becomes a lesson of redemption and rebirth. An interaction that cast a cloud of negativity over you and your life. But ultimately, in the final analysis, led you to where you were meant to be.

Just as I am indebted to those who have touched my soul in ways I never imagined, I too am grateful that others have led me to tough lessons in self realization and affirmation. Perhaps they were never intended to be how I accepted them. But despite the negative origins, they too became a positive and lasting influence on me. And to those men, I am also grateful for being a part of my journey.

I tend to digress once pen is in hand. But with regard to the basis of the prompt, “describe a man who has positively impacted your life”, without a doubt, he would be Him. God.

It was He that suggested that many fellow coach should call precisely when I needed to hear his voice and feel his love. And it was He that allowed me to exercise my free will, albeit poor in execution, while remaining right next to me as I rebuilt and found my true way forward in life. He brought all those other men in and out of my life, when they were needed, then not, so that I could finally find this man.

The one sharing this prompt on one of the best days ever.

According to His plan.

But I digress…

Not even close.

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Daily writing prompt
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
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Not even close.

I don’t tend to look ahead and envision what the future will be compared to the now. I am one that tries to stay where I am and find paths leading to growth, improvement and reconciliation, so as to make myself ready as I go. That being said, the “to do” or “bucket list” doesn’t truly exist. I merely remain open to he flow.

As such, the flow a year ago was in actuality somewhat of a rip current. I thought I knew where I was in relation to the shore, but in reality, I was being pulled farther from a great many things I held dear. Being caught in a real one years ago, it is truly an unsettling experience, where attempts at controlling the situation may only add to your demise.

My understanding now is that you need to calmly work your way parallel to the shore. Not directly in, but a long the beach until you break free of it, then angle in to dry land. Attempting to overcome the strength of its pull directly will sap your strength, produce panic and eventually claim you.

But not if you can surrender and go with the flow.

I ended up father down from where I began, a blessing. So I chose to find another avenue out instead of going back to where it all started. That way only led me to capture, isolation and an eventual end. So while I did not picture where I ended up, letting go and allowing some of that current to pull me away from where I began made today possible.

Could I have ever imagined where I would be?

Not even close.

But it is, the best way out.

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Daily writing prompt
What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
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The skills, if you want to call them that, are off shoots of some of the lessons I have had to learn of late. Nothing resume worthy if that falls into the parameters of this prompt. But life worthy.

There is so much to be gained in letting go and letting things happen. Assuming otherwise doesn’t lend itself to good judgement, a proper sense of self, and a healthy rhythm of being. Control and ego tend to take one to the other end of the spectrum. You may think you have it going, but things say otherwise.

An all encompassing serenity and state of peace is found in the act of letting it be. Though the next sixty minutes may seem a little renegade and challenging, oddly enough, things commence to return equilibrium at minute sixtry-three or four. Bigger “obstacles”? Maybe not resolved in minute sixty-seven or eight, but already in process of working themselves out.

Looking at life lessons in this manner, hones the skills of patience, perservance and faith.

Like Mr. Frost once said, “the best way out is always through.” He didn’t stipulate a required pace or time limit. Just a departure and intended arrival. Finding out what is on the other side. Suggests embracing a bit of the unknown, employing unyielding trust and true discovery if you ask me.

Might be out of our hands.

But it is, the best way out.

But mostly for others.

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Daily writing prompt
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
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When all is said and done, if others would say “he is a good man”, that would provide me great joy, warm my heart and replenish my soul. I have engaged in several moments of character suicide in way I have thought, spoke and acted for far too long. Integrity became compost and ego reigned over all.

But I started to listen instead of ignore. See instead of obfuscate. Behave in life of acting out. Rebuilding one piece at a time. However long it may take. For whatever time I have left.

I just want to be a good man.

Not just for me.

But mostly for others.

But theirs.

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Daily writing prompt
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
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Since I am involved in coaching, whether it be Special Olympics, job development for those with diverse abilities or good old football, I would have to say the first day of a season or the first meeting with a new associate is the best day. Days that really aren’t ever one and done. But moments that build and transition into other first days.

A first practice allows you to witness the work they have embraced in the off-season, weightroom, classroom, community and home. You get to see what they are beoming, the yearning to take those next steps to become something more for the team. Whether it is a scout, one that comes off the bench, or a leader that never comes off the field. As a coach, you get to help guide them along a path of their choosing. It is you that can help them see something bigger than themselves and then realize that vision.

Then if you remain connected, you can watch them do the same in college and their initial foray into the business world, whether employee or entrepeneur.

A first meeting to discuss job development is in many ways the same. You can learn of the progress they have made in their life despite their challenges. Whether they are at home, or gaining independence within a group community, you can see their excitement to learn, grow and become something more than they ever have been before.

Perhaps they start in the back of a business, learning the ropes. Maybe that gives them all the contentment and growth they need. Others may want to work there way up and out to the front. Filling in for teammates that are out or have elected to move on. Maybe they see themselves becoming the one that opens the door and turns on the lights each day.

It is coaching that takes place on other venues. It is still all about guiding them along a path of their choosing. But if you can see something bigger in themselves than they realize, you get to share that vision with them, and help them to grow into it.

It can be difficult to remember or recall all of the firsts I had throughout my life. But there is truly something to be said to be a part in those of others. For that reason, I am blessed to be able to participate in so many “firsts”.

Not so much mine.

But theirs.