I am intrigued by mottoes, those tiny statements that represent a family's code for living, or a business's code of ethics.
That a formula for living can be written in so few words fascinates me.
One part of our family can be traced back to the Boyd's, whose motto is, "I trust." I didn't know that most of my life, but it sure fits me.
Of course most of us can make anything fit if we want to. Our ability to morph backwards, or use hindsight to make the present fit the lofty stories from the past is legendary.
We are all familiar with the stalwart father who says, "I had to walk ten miles to school. Uphill. Both ways!" Don't laugh too soon, or dismiss that too easily!
In part we do it to encourage the next generation, but in part we do it because it feels good! If I can't be all that I want to be right now, it's nice to think that once I was all that I wanted, or want now, back then.
It's harmless. In fact it makes me a better story teller and might even give me the confidence to go forward and really be that now if I can convince myself the foundation is already there.
The danger comes when those who look up to us think it's true. Imagine how dismal life might seem to someone who is struggling with their own reality if they think their role model, or hero, or father, was always strong, or beautiful, or brilliant.
My heroes are those people who had to overcome things and turned out strong enough to tell me the truth. I love the vulnerability of real strength. There is something comforting in the knowledge that this moment has more to do with who I am than who I was.
That a formula for living can be written in so few words fascinates me.
One part of our family can be traced back to the Boyd's, whose motto is, "I trust." I didn't know that most of my life, but it sure fits me.
Of course most of us can make anything fit if we want to. Our ability to morph backwards, or use hindsight to make the present fit the lofty stories from the past is legendary.
We are all familiar with the stalwart father who says, "I had to walk ten miles to school. Uphill. Both ways!" Don't laugh too soon, or dismiss that too easily!
In part we do it to encourage the next generation, but in part we do it because it feels good! If I can't be all that I want to be right now, it's nice to think that once I was all that I wanted, or want now, back then.
It's harmless. In fact it makes me a better story teller and might even give me the confidence to go forward and really be that now if I can convince myself the foundation is already there.
The danger comes when those who look up to us think it's true. Imagine how dismal life might seem to someone who is struggling with their own reality if they think their role model, or hero, or father, was always strong, or beautiful, or brilliant.
My heroes are those people who had to overcome things and turned out strong enough to tell me the truth. I love the vulnerability of real strength. There is something comforting in the knowledge that this moment has more to do with who I am than who I was.
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