Thoughts as the New Year Approaches

As the New Year approaches, just like for many people, my thoughts turn to evaluating how the past year went—and I plan, or at least set goals for the upcoming year. I guess it’s good to have New Year’s resolutions—especially if they are meaningful—but of course, the followthrough is what really counts in the long run. We need more than good intentions. As you may have heard me say in the past: It’s direction—not intention—that determines destination.

A quote from Bruce Lee—which I’ve mentioned previously in the FATC FORUM—came to mind as I thought about what I wanted to focus on in the upcoming year. For those of you who haven’t heard of Bruce Lee, he was a Chinese-American martial artist, actor, and philosopher who became a global pop culture icon, revolutionizing martial arts films. Some referred to him as the King of Kung Fu, but he was also a great thinker.

Bruce Lee said, “Instead of buying your children all the things you never had, you should teach them all the things you were never taught. Material wears out, but knowledge stays”. Some of you are probably saying to yourselves, “I wish you had told me that before I just spent a fortune again this year on Christmas gifts for my kids.”

Well, I don’t think Bruce Lee was saying that material gifts are bad…and generosity is a very good trait—so no need to stop giving material gifts. But I think it’s important to be mindful that we live in a very optic-oriented, materialistic culture that can provide a slippery slope leading to an unfulfilled life and a shallow legacy.

It’s only natural that we want our kids to have a life that’s as good or better than we had. The question we should ask is will that be measured by possessions and toys (both youth and adult toys) or by satisfaction, significance, reaching our potential, and most importantly—a relationship with the God of the Universe.

When Bruce Lee refers to the things we were never taught, I think, in part, he means the things we paid dearly for because we were forced to learn them the hard way. I think he means the things that robbed us of true satisfaction. I think he means the painful paths we took because we chose poorly when we came to the important crossroads of life.

I think he’s encouraging parents to focus on imparting knowledge and wisdom that they themselves may have lacked when they were younger. Let’s face it; it takes courage and humility to admit to not just the good in your life, but also the bad and the ugly of your life. Because we may not have led an exemplary life back in the day, all too often we ignore or avoid talking to our kids about drugs, sex outside of marriage, materialism, and God. It takes courage to admit our mistakes, but to not do so may allow history to repeat itself in the lives of those we love.

As I contemplated this message from Bruce Lee, I was encouraged by the following quotes I found from some notable people. Maybe they will encourage you also—should you choose to humbly try to teach your young or adult children the things you were never taught…but wished you were:

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” (Winston Churchill)

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” (Maya Angelou)

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” (Viktor Frankl)

“Train up your child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power, and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the FATC FORUM about this or whatever is on your mind. And please contact me if you would like to talk about this subject. Remember…It isn’t just about the fly fishing …(and it isn’t brain surgery or air-traffic control).

Happy New Years!

John Muckerman

FATC Inspirational and Leadership Lead