Blog Archives
A Button, a Lesson 45 Years in the Making
Today I sewed a button back onto my favorite shirt and repaired a split seam in a pillow.
Neither job took very long, but when I finished, I realized I had just used a skill I learned more than 45 years ago as a Boy Scout.
My Scoutmaster, William Lee Kitchel, was a remarkable man. He was a Navy veteran of the Second World War who served aboard a battleship and was wounded during a kamikaze attack. Later, he served again, this time in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was demanding, disciplined, and believed that young men learned responsibility by doing things themselves.
Every Scout in our troop sewed on his own merit badges and patches. There were no shortcuts and no “Mom will do it.” When I earned my first three merit badges, I was handed a needle, thread, and instructions to sew them on myself.
Like so many families, my mother kept a Danish butter cookie tin that contained everything except cookies. Inside were needles, thread, buttons, pins, and years of accumulated sewing supplies. She gave me a needle, some thread, and a T-pin, and I went to work. My first attempts looked terrible, but Mr. Kitchel expected us to do it correctly. He accepted no excuses and suffered no fools. Over time, I became quite good at sewing. He even taught us traditional Seminole patchwork sewing, a skill I never imagined would stay with me for life.
Back then, I thought I was simply learning how to put patches on a Scout uniform.
Today I realized he was teaching something much larger.
The woman who quietly fixed buttons, repaired torn clothes, and mended the little things around our home—my wife, Sherri—is gone now. Today, there was no one to hand my favorite shirt to. So I threaded the needle myself, replaced the missing button, and repaired the pillow.
That shirt is my favorite because of a photograph. It shows Sherri sitting on my lap during one of our vacations, smiling with the biggest, brightest smile. It was probably one of our first selfies. Every time I see that picture, it reminds me of her joy, and it makes me smile too.
As I finished sewing today, I realized that William Lee Kitchel had taught me something without either of us knowing it. He wasn’t just teaching a Boy Scout to sew. He was teaching self-reliance, patience, pride in doing a job well, and the confidence to care for the things—and the people—that matter.
Some lessons don’t reveal their true value until decades later.
Thank you, Mr. Kitchel, for giving me a skill that has lasted a lifetime, and for teaching me something far greater than sewing.
The Daily Management Diet: Weighing In on Personal Success
In the bustling world of business, the concept of daily management reigns supreme. It’s a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of consistent monitoring, assessment, and adjustment to ensure objectives are met efficiently and effectively. But what if I told you this same approach could revolutionize your personal goals, especially when it comes to weight management and exercise?
Imagine this: stepping on the scale every day, not with trepidation, but with excitement and anticipation. Much like practicing and performing public speaking, the daily weigh-in becomes less daunting over time. It’s a ritual that not only improves your ability to face the scale but also keeps you focused and accountable.
At first glance, the idea of weighing yourself daily might seem counterintuitive. After all, isn’t it better to focus on long-term progress rather than getting bogged down by daily fluctuations? Surprisingly, the answer is no. Daily weigh-ins provide valuable data points that offer insights into your body’s natural fluctuations and responses to various factors like diet, hydration, and activity levels.
Moreover, the daily ritual fosters a sense of accountability, a cornerstone of daily management. Just as businesses rely on teams to achieve their goals, individuals can harness the power of community to support their personal objectives. This is where the concept of “team weigh-ins” comes into play.
For the past four years, I’ve been part of a group that shares daily High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts and weight management goals. The experience has been transformative. Some days, I receive cheers and encouragement from my fellow teammates. Other days, it’s a barrage of expletives as I push through grueling workouts. And then there are those rare occasions when a silent observer chimes in with a supportive nod.
Regardless of the response, the camaraderie and shared accountability have been invaluable. Knowing that I have a team relying on me to show up and give my best effort motivates me to stay consistent with my exercise routine and mindful of my dietary choices. It’s a daily management practice that keeps me on track and focused on my goals.
But daily management isn’t just about weighing in and sharing progress with others; it’s also about making adjustments and course corrections along the way. Just as businesses pivot in response to changing market conditions, individuals must adapt their strategies to overcome obstacles and setbacks.
So, do you have any daily management activities that keep you on track for your goals and objectives? Whether it’s journaling, setting daily intentions, or tracking progress in a shared spreadsheet, find what works for you and embrace it wholeheartedly. Remember, success isn’t just about reaching the destination; it’s about the journey and the daily steps we take to get there.
