She Ain’t Perfect, But She’s Mine
I bought my first serious boat almost a year ago. While I wouldn’t recommend you buy yours from where I did (LMC Marine in Houston) for about a dozen reasons, (I just had to get that in there) the process has been a learning one. Learning and growth through experience…my favorite! I named her Memory Maker for the times that I will have in it with my boys, their families, and friends. And for the memories she makes just by being her…imperfect, flawed, in need of fixes…just how I like the people I know and love. And goodness, have the memories stacked up fast.
First there were performance issues with the motor that no one could diagnose accurately. I did some research, took her apart and found that the manufacturer had placed the 30-gallon fuel tank on TOP of the fuel line. I am surprised the boat even ran. Got ‘er fixed though. Despite the impediment, she did the best she could to do what she was created to do.
The bimini top broke before I ever had a chance to use it. Stupid design that begged to be broken. Got it fixed, but it still wasn’t functional. Changed the way it mounted and now we have shade! Despite the impediment, she did the best she could to do what she was created to do.
The steering cabling broke the other day, leaving me to steer it by wrapping my arms around the outboard. Talk about memories! Took it to the shop, and they told me that it appears that when the steering was installed, the installers did not put any grease in the cable assembly. How did it even steer to begin with? Despite the impediment, she did the best she could to do what she was created to do.
Amidst these challenges, my sons and I have had great trips, cold trips, soaking trips, and some fish catches. We’ll get better at the latter now that everything is actually working on the boat. She ain’t perfect, but she’s mine. And I love her and the memories we are creating for many. We enable each other.
~Dion McInnis
You Noticed?
My day job at University of Houston-Clear Lake provides many chances to meet and interact with an interesting blend of people. That proved to be quite the gift today.
In the past 24 hours or so, my middle son was involved in an accident in which the vehicle he was riding in went over a cliff; my divorce was finalized by the judge; first grandbaby became a fully walking, mobile, exploring girl; and more. I figure those three are enough for the stress meter. But then, at an event at the university tonight, a poet said to me, “I will never forget your presentation at Barnes and Noble.” She went on to explain why and my responses were either “Thank you” or “That was EIGHT years ago.” Among her comments was basically that what she admired was that my work was not about me, but about enabling and encouraging others. In a day of dramatic ups and downs, her honesty and courage to share….enabled me.
Her acknowledgement of something that is so important to each breath I take, encouraged and affirmed me to take more risks to encourage…to enable…others.
Remind those who enable you to be all that you can be. They will be made just a bit stronger, a bit more courageous and a bit more daring because you did.
~Dion McInnis
Fulfilling Your Dreams
I had the pleasure of my presenting my topic “Help Them Achieve Their Dreams By Remembering Your Own” for a education improvement conference in Austin last month. I always enjoy providing that topic’s insights–they are about enabling.
One key point for all of us…our dreams cannot be those of our children, spouses, friends, siblings, neighbors. Dreams are personal, based on who we are, the experiences we’ve had, the people we’ve met, the locations we’ve lived, and the beliefs and values we hold close. Your dreams cannot be anyone else’s, nor can theirs be yours. We are further enabled to achieve when we realize the extent of the personalization of dreams.
Our dreams have a way of improving upon themselves if we leave them open for interpretation. Someone may love music with great enthusiasm and passion, and then they set their sites on being a professional musician. Truth be told, there are limited chances of that, but…the person may play “after hours” with bands or in clubs, or may use music skills and gregarious personality to be in music sales, or use love of music and teaching to be a music teacher, or….there are many ways to incorporate what you love with what you are doing. Let the dream find its own form. It can be rewarding.
When I played little league baseball, I was a pretty good pitcher but could not hit worth squat. So, when I read The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, I added “hit a home run” to my list of goals that the book instructs readers to do. When approached to play on an adult softball team, I first turned them down for being too busy. Then I thought, “How can I fulfill my dream of hitting a home run if I am not even up to bat?” So, I joined the team and ended up becoming their pitcher. And I did not hit a home run in three seasons. But, I got a “grand slam.”
During one of the (short) seasons, my oldest son was in town from college and played on the team with us. It was wonderful to have him on the team, and it felt great to hear his voice coming from left field or third base as I pitched, “C’mon, pitch, you can do it.” “Great job, pitch, you own ‘em.” Stuff like that. During one particularly challenging inning, we survived without giving up a run and as our team ran off the field, my son put his arm around my shoulder, looked to the fans in the bleachers, pointed to me and said “That’s my dad.” I don’t need a home run anymore. I got better than that by putting myself in the place to achieve what I thought was my dream.
Enable yourself to fullfill your dreams.
~Dion McInnis
Ambition
Several months ago, I interviewed each member of my team at the university. There was only one question for each: What is your ambition? There were no right or wrong answers. I simply wanted to know to better enable me to provide them opportunities, guidance or affirmations about their gifts, their quests and their dreams. The answers were myriad. But they belonged to each person. The good news, is that the awareness of ambtion has made it easier for them to achieve it and for me to help them.
What is your ambition?
I was sure to remind them that ambition did not mean “I would sell my grandmother to get this,” but something more positive. What do you have a strong desire to achieve, and what are your gifts that can help you achieve?
~Dion McInnis
Redefining Enabler
Three decades ago, a woman said to me, “Once you realize you are an enabler, you will leave me.” Fast forward to a few months ago, and a friend said, “What you don’t realize is that for others you are an enabler who helps them achieve.” I like the latter description. A lot. And that is what this blog is about…enabling others to find in themselves their God-given gifts and abilities that provide them their unique opportunities to succeed, to make a difference, and to be the whole of who they are.
~Dion McInnis
