I’ve just finished directing a teen camp in Southwest Washington this past week and I have to say that it was quite a satisfying experience. It is amazing how much you can learn about yourself when working with other people, especially teens! Teens tend to speak their minds and point out obvious truths that we might miss because of the layers of pretense and posturing that goes on in adults minds.
It was refreshing to hear the questions asked and responses given on subjects as personal as dating and hygiene and as mundane as reading habits or washing clothes. I need to remember to answer more frankly and without pretense when asked questions about simple things in my life.
One highlight of camp for me was not necessarily directly associated with camp. With a colleague, I walked three miles every morning during camp. We would awake at 5:30 a.m. and walk for an hour up into the Washington woods beside the beautiful Washougal River. I’m not sure why conversations are better during a walk but they seem to be that way.
It was hard to see these walks coming to end as well. They cleared our minds; got us ready for the day ahead; cemented our goals in regard to camp and overall, brought us closer together as friends.
At home I walk with 3 lb. weights but I didn’t want to drag them along with me because of the size. So my colleague and I found rocks that were about the same weight and size and used them in place of the regular weights. It was kind of fun walking through the woods with rocks as weights – it felt as though we were going organic!
At the end of camp my colleague decided to take his “weights” home with him. He printed his name on them and packed them in his vehicle, ready to use them when he arrived home! I guess to me it was like a symbol. It was a symbol of the commitment that we had made during camp. We both want to continue to exercise and get back into better shape physically and mentally so that we can continue to excel at our professions. The “weights” were a symbol of that commitment!
What symbols can you have or do you have in your life that can act as a reminder to stay committed to goals and behavior that will help you excel in your life or profession? Is it important to you to have these mini-motivators in your daily routine?
Think about what can help you stay on track with whatever goals you want to achieve and find a symbol that will encourage you daily to stay committed to the path that you have chosen. You will be surprised how motivated you will be to your goal if you have a reminder every day. Don’t pass up this opportunity to excel!
I have discovered a new website that I think will help you excel in one area of your life – vocabulary! For years, studies have shown a correlation between good communication skills and success in school and vocations. You can be sent a word a day with its meaning and uses from Wordsmith.org. I think that you will find it useful.
Kevin Eikenberry examines the proper balance between life and work. Have you ever thought about what is important as far as setting boundaries in our personal and business lives? Can we stay off the internet at home? Can we say no to calls that come during supposed family time? The answers to those questions will determine whether you have balance or imbalance in your life! Take a look!
Here is one writer's mental wandering through the garden and what memories it brings to life in general. I hope that we can find something as simple as a garden to bring peace and reflection to our lives. It's important to remember the simple things that we experience with a sense of context!
As I said in the beginning of this blog, I have learned a lot from the teens that I worked with at summer camp. They taught me to be more frank and honest with my feelings and behavior and not to get entangled with layers of pretense and posturing. It is a lesson that I shouldn't forget. I just hope that I can help them get a sense of perspective as they make their way through their life. Goal setting is imperative but time out with friends and family are as well. How we tackle this aspect of our lives will determine what type of input we can give to those within our sphere of influence. Let's not take this lightly!
Until next time,
Jerry de Gier
leadership quotes
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