Most know the ‘ol saying, “Good things come in threes.” Is it true? The knuckleheads of A Stronger Cord sure believe so. For instance, we believe in fitness-minded, dependable and productive versus isolated, unfit and stressed.
What follows are three different statements that have blasted into this aging jock’s cranium the past few weeks. Different. However, for a simple dude from Missouri, with the same meaning. In no order of preference whatsoever, as Jim Lange used to say on the television show, The Dating Game, “Here they are!”
“We’re just one step from stupid.” This brilliant line comes from a brother from another mother, Dennis Jenkins. We like to joke, we’re “Ebony and Ivory” or “Salt and Pepper” or, and we crack up, “Dumb and Dumber.” A giant man with an even bigger spirit. A water restoration specialist by trade but a knucklehead when it comes to believing in ASC’s mission to reduce the amount of isolated, unfit and stressed folks in our communities. He’s all in. The Colorado native gets quite competitive on the basketball or volleyball court and leads chapel services each week at the Denver Rescue Mission. He encourages men there and anybody else listening, “We’re always one step from stupid.” For us, the more we hang with one another and challenge one another to heed Jenkins’ advice, the better off we’re gonna be, right? Please say yes!
“We have a choice in life. Be a turtle or a giraffe.” This wonderful statement rolls off Darrwin Ben’s tongue often. An Arkansas Razorback fan - this knucklehead can call the ‘Hogs - is another dude taking a leadership role in ASC’s march forward. The Navy veteran was wounded in action during duty in the Gulf War. His ship hit a mine. Something hit the back of his head really hard. Ben loves to mention “turtles versus giraffes” when talking about settling for whatever lies right before, or below, our point of view. Instead, he encourages others to reach for higher ground in search of more fruitful sustenance. He’s a man on a mission to help fellow military veterans return from the ravages of war and embrace a spirit of fitness-minded, dependable and productive. Ben believes “Too many vets have left their post” as men in our society. Pig Sooooeeeeee, Razorback! Love his spirit.
“Attack the issue not the individual.” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock muttered this gem recently during a race relations event in Denver. In wake of Ferguson and New York City, and the unrest it festered, the popular leader led an overflow crowd in a conversation about it. Can you imagine? What would our world - homes, businesses, neighborhoods, teams, schools and whatever else I’ve forgotten - look like if we focused on attacking issues that divide us, not individuals? Holy smokes Batman.
Why not give it try? What would we have to lose?
This week, let’s stay one step from stupid; reach for higher ground and, if necessary, attack the issue not the individual. It’s a terrific trio.
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