Moving Parts

I like to golf.

The thing I like the most about golf is how completely uncomplicated swinging a club appears while in the same time and space how incredibly complex it is to actually accomplish a swing that actually hits the ball where you actually intentioned it to go. The golf swing has a lot of moving parts, and if you miss just one ... just one. Well, you get the idea.

There are a lot of moving parts to the golf swing.

Whenever possible, I like encouraging people to find their voice. Finding your voice, like the golf swing, is easier said than done. To have voice is dependent on many elements coming together. Many considerations are in play for someone to speak up - even in a room where there will be certain agreement.

To have voice means you've settled the small things in your life such as confidence, articulation and mental acuity. You've also developed certain disciplines. You've learned how to research in an effort to be clear, you've gained in personal management in an effort to be heard and you've become a great listener in an effort to be respected. Not to mention you've overcome possible historical barriers that can range from family to socio-economic realities, to race and or gender limitations.

There are a lot of moving parts to finding your voice.

Like the golf swing and the personal discovery of finding your voice - there are a lot of moving parts wrapped up in the simple statement; I would rather teach a person to fish rather than give them a fish.

This statement is a metaphor often used to describe the effective work in serving others, as well as an encouragement to those who are on the 'receiving' end of relationships.

Here are a few accompanying metaphorical questions:

• Who owns the water where the fish are?
• Are there barriers around the water?
• Who will be responsible to removing those barriers?
• Is this the right water?
• Does the water have the right fish?
• Is there a license requirement?
• Can anyone fish?
• How much fish can be taken at one time?
• Is equipment available?
• Who owns the equipment?
• Are their conditions to use the equipment?
• Is training available for cleaning the fish?
• Is there adequate facilities to cook the fish?
• How will the remaining fish be refrigerated?

There are a lot of moving parts when teaching someone to 'fish'.

We live in a platitude accepted, drive-by-conversating world. You and I will have to say something different, and be willing to do something different just to be the one in the 'row' of lined up public opinion who takes one step forward - awkward comes to mind.

Here's today's question: Are you willing to break cadence with the rest of the lock step world around you?

Dan
A Runner