Humanity

A couple of weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to help with the YESS Duck Derby.

I call it an opportunity for two reasons.

First, I was able to help an organization I truly believe in.  YESS spends all its energy protecting those in our society that need the most protection, our children. Even more specifically, YESS provides safe housing and food to those who need help the most.  I am always amazed by the fact that the folks there can do their job effectively, day after day, without becoming completely overwhelmed and just giving up.  My hat is off to them every single day.

Second, and even more to the point for my thoughts today was that I was given the chance to people-watch for the day.  This is one of my true joys in life, and if you don’t do this once in a while, you are really missing out.  We live in an amazing melting pot, in our own neighborhoods and across the country. Anytime people meet en masse, the cross section you see is phenomenal.

The Duck Derby was a perfect example.  The day was cold and rainy, but even so, I saw every degree of the clothing spectrum; from those with full rain gear and umbrellas to those who were wearing scanty running shorts and tops.  This is the thing that I love about this people-watching thing.  If you stop and think, or maybe listen, you understand the way people think.  In every case, they got up in the morning and dressed; making decisions they believed were the best for the situation.

Another perfect opportunity to people-watch is at the Iowa State Fair.  It is a venue which begs for the activity.  Part of what you see at the State Fair is the way people fit into groups.  Many times you find that the way people look and act actually seems to bring them together into groups.  At this point you may say “Duh” as I have said something that we all intuitively know, but rarely do we actually get to see this at work.  You can watch it at work at the fair.

I have one more.  If you want to see the reverse of this, but one that still seems to work itself out, go to a hockey game; I would recommend the Des Moines Buccaneers if you can.  If you look closely, you will find the most unlikely people sitting right next to each other and being all sorts of fine with it.  The guy wearing a motorcycle vest having just ridden in from Colorado is seated right next to the lady wearing a $10,000 mink coat, and both are having fun.  In fact, more than likely they will come together and actually find something to talk about.

In the work world, we attempt to artificially create these situations by putting people in the same uniforms or shirts and through work, they have shared experiences.  This works to a point, but falls far short of what the world does all on its own.  So, get out there and watch people.  Go to a ball game, or a mall, or even to the airport.  Watch the interactions that occur and how the groups informally come together and break up.  The experience is fascinating, and can actually be a little humorous.  And, if you see me dressed in black dress socks, sandals, and shorts, don’t laugh because for whatever reason, I thought that this was the thing that was right to wear today.  Celebrate my freedom and independence in making a decision.

One last thing today.  One of the authors that I follow is Seth Godin.  I enjoy his thought process, the manner that he challenges me, and the things his writing causes me to think about.  He had a very good blogpost  last month about competence and possibility.  This one I will keep.  I thought you might like to read it as well.

I get to spend time with family and friends next week and I am certain that I will have a new thoughts and stories to share here.  Stay tuned….

Tactical Blunder

In the last few weeks I talked with some college age students about their future and I was reminded of things I have told young people several times.  I believe that this generation, just like every generation which has come before, has the ability and potential to change the world.  Not just in small stepwise motions, but in big sweeping ways.

Then I asked myself why my generation didn't change the world like that?  What happened with the children of the 70s?  We certainly made changes, but I for one, expected more from us.

You probably won’t be surprised to read that I have spent some time thinking about this and I have a theory.  Since we were born when we were, we watched the 60s happen, but we weren't participants, at least not in big ways.  We were just enough younger to not be part of the marches, the sit-ins, and all that was the 60s.  We watched it passively, and we listened to what others, mostly older people, had to say about things that were happening.  Needless to say, most of what we heard was not positive.  The fascinating thing though in looking back, is that group, for all of their negative comments, really did change the world.  They changed the way people viewed basic concepts such as family, sex, and honesty.  They pushed and asked questions and didn't accept standard answers as good enough.  And my generation watched.

I think that this caused many of us to decide that the right thing to do was to work from within the system rather than outside the system to exact change.  And we got really good at it.  We learned how to climb the ladder within the organizations we belong to; we learned to help through volunteering at church, Scouts, or community.  We did a lot of good.  But, at the same time, I think we missed an opportunity to turn the world on its head and ask hard questions.  If we had, where would we be now?  Would we be free from foreign oil?  Would we have cured many of the big diseases of the day?  I don’t know.

Here is what I do know.  Sometimes it is best to work inside the system, and sometimes it is best to go outside the system, and the trick is in knowing when to do which.  I actually think that with more maturity, I have a better sense today for which approach works and when to apply them.  So, as I continue to interact with younger people, I will continue to encourage them to change the world, and I will talk to them about how to make those changes happen.  We will discuss ideas such as when it is best to network and talk to those whom you know and believe in you, and when it is best to climb on top of a bench in the middle of the public square and scream about something you are passionate about.  Not doing that was a mistake on my part several times in my life, and I think it was a mistake my entire generation made.  We worked so hard to get along and not rock the boat that we only accomplished a fraction of what was possible.  I hope that does not happen to another generation.

Changing gears just a little bit, I wanted to tell you that I appreciate those of you who take the time to read my blog.  I hope it brings a smile to your face sometimes and on other occasions causes you to stop and think for a moment.  It has been fun to write and I look forward to continuing.

In the shop, I am working on the build of a stationary router table.  After my sander, this is a piece of equipment I have needed for a long time.  I also finished reworking my father’s lathe and I am excited that it is still a part of my shop.  If any of you are working on projects, take time to share them with us.  I would love to know what you are doing.