“I wear the ring, and I return often…to study the history of my becoming a man.”
– Pat Conroy, in the opening sentence from his book, “The Lords of Discipline”
To say that I have, for most of my life, been a voracious reader is an understatement. To say that I have gotten away from it lately — along with many of the other things that have contributed to whatever difference I have historically made, is, sadly, also an understatement.
So, what do difference makers do when confronted with the reality that their “difference maker” is frozen up and that their “give-a-damn” is flat busted?
They study their history.
I think this is going to be a good book. I just wish to heck I could remember which of my buddies recommended it.
There are times in life that call for moderation — in fact most days, in most areas, do. There are times in life that call for silent reflection — a monk mode, of sorts (relating to an earlier post here, and the Fast Company article linked therein.) There are times in life that call for introspection and decisive action.
The fact of the matter is, we don’t really ever know whether this is one time or another.
It’s just now.
It’s just a time.
And in this time, we do the best we can.
Smaller bites. Clear one item at a time. Prioritize important over urgent and focus, focus, focus, relentlessly.
Voracity is called for, in terms of the books we read, and the clarity of thought we bring to our attempt to make a difference.
So, too, is balance, and the mixture is worth finding and protecting.
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