A couple of weeks ago I was in Sam’s and a kid came up to greet me. I vaguely recognized him from years back. It was probably 10 years ago that he came up to me in Wal-Mart. Before that I couldn’t tell you how long it had been. He was a boy that I knew from church whose family were friends. He’s very friendly and inviting. It’s rare to run into kids (20 something) like that now days – refreshing. He brought me up to date on everyone in his family. His mother is a few years older (metaphorically speaking) who I didn’t know as well. His uncles I knew pretty well. One of his uncles was practically considered a son in my house. He was my dad’s service man and after I went to college it was not unusual to get a report as to how Jim was doing. We spent quite a bit of time together at one time in our lives. His other uncle, John, was a few years older than me (literally) and left for the Navy early while I was still in high school. I didn’t have much contact with him after that but got occasional reports from other family members. John’s dad would substitute teach high school and would talk about him from time to time. Mr. Mann was hilarious (not for talking about John but because he had a great sense of humor).
During our conversation Ryan said that John had written a book. He gave me the wrong title and so when I googled it and found that it was written by someone else I thought how sad that John would pass off someone else’s work to impress his family. After getting everything straightened out, his sister gave me the book.
All Ahead Full is the record of life principles learned from John’s training in the Navy. The chapters are brief with a summary of the main points. The points bring you back to basics spoken in a simplistic way that even someone that doesn’t read much would enjoy and benefit from. Years ago I assigned my students
Life’s Greatest Lessons by Hal Urban for extra credit. This book is in the same vein which if I were still teaching would give out.
It’s easy to overlook the basics; it’s easy for them to become routine. Reminders are crucial for our development. For me, there were some points that particularly piqued my interest. The chapter,
Runaway Torpedo pages 25-31 spoke directly to my wanderlust. I have a tendency to look for greener pastures or think of what is the next big thing. Instead of pausing and in quietness ask, “Is this You, Lord?” I will have the business plan developed and dream of how great things will be. What I really need is Him. He sets my priorities.
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Point Bravo also illustrates having a specific point I’m heading to instead of letting the drift take me where it is going. For me it is Father that is my point bravo. “But how often do we allow the rivers of life to control our personal and professional journeys?”
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Set and Drift carries the theme I seem to be on. The currents of life inevitably take you off course. It is unavoidable. Therefore, “we need to make regular personal and professional course corrections.” Page 58 discusses the need for a “personal development plan.” We must take inventory and re-evaluate our goals. This is done by “taking fixes” as to your position. You triangulate your co ordinance with fixed and sure landmarks and then reposition yourself. The fixed and sure land marks are the goal, date, and feedback from others, specifically a mentor.
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Steady as She Goes gave me new insight in being mindful of momentum. I don’t have to start from scratch. I need to let things build on what has already occurred, from what I’ve already learned and experienced. In relation to others, I don’t have to do a 360 but just make small adjustments.
It was a good experience reading this book mainly because John wrote it. The book had depth because I knew the author. (There’s a lesson in that I’m sure.) It was a satisfying experience because he’s doing well. That pleases me. It also gives me hope for myself because if John can do it certainly there is hope for me. (Really, that’s not a slam.)
