High School letter jackets are the antithesis of the "everyone gets a trophy" era and possibly the reason that over indulging reward system blossomed in the first place. In order to even get a jacket, you first had to earn a patch that you could ahere to it.
I wished more people had asked me about my jacket when I wore it back in the day, but then again maybe they did. That was before I knew how to talk to adults. It wasn't littered with acolades, just a simple few I could lean my budding confidence on when presented to a cute girl.
I often listen to a lot of sermons across a few different denominations and generally they all have great messages, but one that really has stuck with me over a handful of years is based around the concept of "Your Story". The preacher's premise is a simple one: you're going to have to look back on your life at some point and tell your story. Maybe it's to your kids, grandchildren or simply on a first date with your future spouse. What do you want that story to sound like?
His angle is one of recalibrating your moral compass, and while that alone is worth consideration, I like to approach the same message but from a more morbid basis.
There was a neat practice where my great grandma and my grandmother all sat down in front of a video camera and their children asked them a list of questions about their life. If you're ever wondering if your tear ducts work, watching those videos of past loved ones is a great check point. The recordings are are great reminder because it taps into the wisdom of generations and it also calls to mind you that your actions matter in the long run.
You should aspire to mean enough to a group of people that they will want to record your story someday. I'm currently growing my mustache out and trying to find a coat made from a buffalo hide for said hypothetical future opportunity.
I'll be vulnerable and admit that these thoughts naturally culminate as I get closer to the ascent of the peak of the biological bell curve. Saving for retirement and paying your bills on time are great necessary habits one should create, but gosh I hope you're planning your next adventure at the same time. Make your story an action thriller worth reading.
The options are endless for what kind of patches you put on your life letterjacket, but you have to take action and earn them first. Yep.
New in my life: The Uncledom knows where salami comes from. 1889 whiskey is worth the hangover. Fly fishing and butternut squash feed families.
Keep smilin'
JM
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