Choosing a blog name for me was tough. I wanted to have a dot com domain that matched. Then I wanted to narrow down a topic that I would focus my writing on. I could write on professional topics, social, political; but then I thought about what really matters to me. The answer was my family.
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On a summer vacation in 1981 I fell in love with the Island of Catalina. Time seemed to stand still as we bathed in the sun, swam and rode paddle boards in the bay, and toured the town from the Chimes Tower to the Wrigley Mansion. I was amazed by the art, style and décor of the Catalina Casino was we gazed at the theater during an evening movie. The smell of fresh air in California hills, a taste of the ocean breeze and the hot sun on my skin stirred up a passion for this island get-a-way that would not fade.
A quarter century later, these memories returned as we cruised “over town” from the mainland to Avalon. On this trip I carried the anticipation and thrill of introducing these memories to my wife and children. Only 26 miles and about an hour cruise along the smooth ocean I found very little change in Avalon. I could not believe my eyes – the pier, town and bay all seemed just as inviting as I remember it two decades ago.
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In many circles and even a few corporate environments with a casual work environment there is a trend of people making a shift toward life at home. SAHM (stay at home moms) are often being introduced to stay at home dads (SAHD). In most cases, the man is coming home to work in a home office or maybe in the garage.
My friend recently quit his day job to work from home. Yesterday he asked me, “We’re having a hard time getting settled… was it difficult for you or your wife to get used to having you home?” Good question! He went on to say, “Basically, I’m upsetting the normal schedule my wife used to have.”
When I began to work from home it was a big deal for my wife and kids. But in some way the shift toward home really threw a curve ball at my wife. My response is, “Taking care of your wife will need to be your top priority.”
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Last week I spoke to a colleague about ways to keep kids interested in saving money. We talked about our experiences growing up and discovered that both of use did not receive adequate instruction between home and school concerning financial concepts. We compared our stories to the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert T. Kiyosaki. I realized that I should make a plan for creating an interest in financial concepts for my children.
Both of us would like to give our kids more instruction and opportunity to invest money rather that spending unscrupulously. Sadly enough (or, should I applaud the marketing efforts of creditors), many young people feel that with credit they have buying power. I watch many kids who take every birthday dollar an spend it up without any thought of making a deposit in a savings account, or making an investment in project that could return even more money than contained in the birthday cards. Most kids fully understand how to empty their wallet and ask for more money when theirs is gone.
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As a teenager, a song influenced my concept of a family man; this anthem ridiculed the stereotype. It was the last stigma that I never wanted to be associated with. Wow, ideas really matter, at least this belief characterized my rebellious tendency to go against the grain.
When I became a man I put away childish things. After a few years of rethinking the idea it began to grow on me and even became a very natural wish to have a family. Now with a wife and four children I have proved to embrace my place and become even more aware of my influence and responsibility. Being a husband and dad can be both very rewarding and challenging. Once I made up my mind to be a family man I found the support, materials and friendships that strengthen my call in life.
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Camping is great and fun, even exiting. Unless your 2-year old still sticks everything in her mouth, dirt or whatever she discovers. Or, your wife just does not want to face a bear in the woods. And, you would rather not work for hours – pitching a tent, cooking the meals, and cleaning up camp to keep the despised bears away. So now what?
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Some time ago at a seminar the speaker said to keep the main thing, the main thing. I thought this was a brilliant concept. It was a simple idea with a high standard. I noted this in my mind to never forget. Keep the main thing, the main thing.
So just what is the main thing? The more I pondered the question it became difficult to quantify, unless I rule out everything that is not the main thing. Right? I thought so. Is this main thing the meaning of my existence or my purpose in my life; this concept alludes many people. There really are many distractions, or should I say excuses. How honest am I willing to be? Sometimes I am my toughest critic.
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