Confessing my Dad Attitude

If I were to write a book, and I’ve always known I would, what would I write about. Books fascinate me. There is a one-to-many form of conversation that takes place, without being limited to 140 characters. And when one reads a really good book, and I have, they can then contact the author and give feedback – which I have. Sometimes a conversation ensues, other times, not so much. But it is the ideas contained, inspired, and exploding that give meaning to my existence. So, if I were to write a book, what would it be about?

It was somewhere in my teens that the notion to write a book first crossed my mind. In the ninth grade I edited the school paper at Fowler Junior High School in Tigard (In the old building on Main Street that was torn down to build a Payless store). In the next couple of years I dabbled in various forms of writing and journalism. I discovered an old mimeograph machine in a back room at school, and after wasting several masters and two reams of paper, I figured out how to publish a sarcastic/parody newsletter.  I was no Jon Stewart, but I certainly felt like young Thomas Paine in that back room.

As I entered my 20s, I was fairly certain I’d write a book. But a certain humble appreciation for my age and naiveté helped me to realize that I really didn’t have anything to say.  That isn’t to say that other 20somethings haven’t written some fascinating tomes, but I hadn’t found my voice yet.  After reading Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy (which actually include a fourth book, if you’re paying attention), I became fascinated with the novel.  Some great truths can be sewn into a well written piece of fiction.  However, for the most part, I tend to be drawn to non-fiction.

Throughout my EMS career, and some of my travels, I’ve encountered some fascinating people.  People who think they are dying will share some fairly interesting insights with those who take the time to listen.  Not everyone, mind you, but a few of the people I’ve had in the back of my ambulance were amazing.  Some of them shared with me the meaning of life as they understood it.  Some of them, in the midst of their fears, remained externally focused and non-egocentric, right up until the end.  Others spoke volumes through their eyes, their mannerisms, or even the way they treated the situation. My patients gave me more than I ever gave them.  At the very least, I owe it to them, to share some of those insights.

I remember meeting a man in a Seattle bar. I was just passing through and on a whim (which tend to be the way I travel), I ended up sitting to a man who was a Russian defector.  He in his teenage sons traveled with the Russian State Circus, and while performing in Vancouver, BC, they defected.  After living on the streets of Vancouver for several months, awaiting entry to the US, they now found themselves living on the streets of Seattle.  During that time, he concocted a pre-Internet business plan. I sat down next to him one hour after he signed his first contract. Years later, it is his story, fascinating as it is, that pushes me to share the other “characters” I’ve met along the journey.

Image via Wikipedia

There is the bounty hunter that still gives me nightmares; the dying man with hundreds of clocks in various states of repair or disrepair throughout his untidy apartment; The former ambulance driver who went into cardiac arrest, in the back of my ambulance; and the Skipper – a 74 year old retired gentleman who used to teach sailing for the Norwegian government, aboard a 74 foot schooner. In all, there are about 15 or 20 unique individuals who stand out in my life.  Some of them I’ve already written about on these pages, others are waiting to be released into the wild.

Yes, I’ve always known I would write a book, but I wanted to wait until I had something to say. From my perspective, storytelling is the best way to share one’s experience, strength, and hope.  Experience is the path to wisdom – and learning from other’s experience is a great way to avoid pain – while still acquiring wisdom.

Not long ago, I received a very harsh email criticizing me for dwelling on my past.  Apparently this person felt as if I was wallowing in my past. I found it interesting that this person was so harsh.  My philosophy, as I heard it put so eloquently lately, is to “look in the rear-view mirror now and then, but don’t stare.”  Apparently this commenter thinks I’ve been staring.  In another online conversation with a young adult, I was trying to help her see that making one’s own mistakes can be very painful and that it’s OK to learn from others.  That didn’t go over so well either.  For the most part, however, I get some very affirming comments.

Some professional people, who have shown an interest in my career development, have suggested that I disassociate myself with these writings. I’ve been told that this blog will hurt my job opportunities.  This advice caught me up short for a couple of weeks – and it continues to haunt me.  As a social media specialist, it is my task to convince people and organizations to join the online conversation.  Traditional broadcast and print media are dying.  Real, Authentic, Relevant, and Experiential communication is too R.A.R.E.  We need more of it in order to build strong community. What do you think about this?

Granted, as I’ve gone through the process of being terminated from my previous position, I’ve vented somethings that are best left out of the public conversation. I understand that, but as the sub-text of this blog states, these are the “confessions of a not-so-perfect man” on a journey. In other words, this story isn’t finished yet. But like many in this new age of online social networking, I am seeking to find the balance between transparency and political correctness.  If anything, in real life or online, I tend to lean towards full disclosure.  But, in the words of Colonel Jessep, some people just “can’t handle the truth!”

The truth, do you want the truth? Are you willing, and able, to engage in a rigorous and honest investigation of life – and the clues you may find? Is it enough for you to read, and listen, to another’s full disclosure, or are you able to fully disclose your life too?

For me, it boils down to Humility, Arrogance, Trust, & Honesty.

When I approach my life with humility, I know that I don’t have it all figured out and I certainly could learn a thing or two from others.  So, humbly, I lay out my story – my journey, if you will; and hopefully, others will take the time to share their perspective with me – good, or bad.  Humility will enable me to learn from you!

Arrogance is the flip side. Though I’ve had my bouts with acute and chronic arrogance, I’ve discovered that it merely prevents my growth and engagement.  Arrogance is harmful to the process of community building.  It is a rebound from the depths of a poor self esteem.  Instead, I seek the balance between a broken ego that withdraws in shame and an inflated ego that aggressively seeks to control those around me.  Not willing to shrink into the abyss, and not content with arrogance; instead I seek a confidence that allows me to be interdependent with others.  Not dependent, co-dependent, or controlling – just cooperative and interdependent.

Cartoon by The Naked Pastor

In order for this to happen, I need to trust others. If I don’t trust the people I am with, I can’t be interdependent with them.  If I don’t trust them, I can’t build community with them.  If I don’t trust myself, I will never be able to trust others.  And if I’m not honest with myself, I can never be fully honest with others.

What I’ve discovered is that some people like their lives to be wrapped up in neat little packages. Others, because of their will or their inability, can’t contain it in a package, and their lives spill out all over aisle 13 in the grocery store – or wherever they happen to be.  I  am seeking the balance of a life lived out of the box, but not letting it unravel all over the place.  Boxes are nice, for they let us keep our stuff safe.  But if you never climb out of the box, or take your “stuff” out of the box, it’s really not worth much to others.  Sharing ourselves and our stuff with others is how we build relationships, trust, and community.

Do you agree?

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