While I was a Field Training Instructor in the US Air Force and stationed at Fort Walton Beach Fl, I had the privilege of working with many students and other instructors from all over the US and other parts of the world. One day I was talking with a fellow instructor named Steve. Steve had a strong Southern drawl, and his stories were often very interesting. In this conversation he was telling me of a previous tour he had had in the military when he was an Air Force recruiter. I asked Steve how he had liked working as a recruiter. He said, “It was good, as long as I met all my golds.” Puzzled, I questioned back, “Your golds?” Steve replied, “Yes, some months the golds that were set before me where just too high, and when I could not meet those golds, there was a lot of added pressure.” I said, “Oh, you mean goals…not golds?” Steve just chuckled and said “yeah, same thing.”
The actual term for this common mistake is called malapropism or malaprop for short. My friend Steve was actually a very smart intellectual man, and yet had probably mispronounced this word for years, and certainly at least month by month while he was a recruiter. Although, I have often wondered if this conversation with Steve—particularly with the minor miscommunication—had a more powerful meaning behind it. I mean, maybe there was more to it than it just being a common malaprop. Let me explain:
Goals are normally something we think of as positive, right? I mean someone who sets goals in life is generally respected, and aspiring. Setting goals in business or in an organization is essential to success as well. We all should be goal setters, yes? Absolutely we should, as it is also very scriptural. One of many references is Prov 13:16, which says “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” Goals are typically very well thought out, and when accomplished—they can be very gratifying.
There was a popular movie a few years back called The Bucket List. The effects of this movie has resulted in influencing many people in our society to actually form their own “bucket list.” Simply put, these personal lists are thought to be one’s quest to complete aspiring life accomplishments or events in their lifetime.
If you have a “bucket list,” that’s great. In the event that your list is lacking, you can actually google “bucket list” and find 101 suggestions and more to add to your list. Lol! I’m really not knocking anything on various lists. That said, the vast majority of these lists are completely focused on fulfilling ones self-desires only. Not that some of the items should not be just for your personal enjoyment. To say we shouldn’t enjoy life and have fun would not even be scriptural. But I am suggesting that we try to prioritize our life goals according to their value and importance to others. This is after-all being a true representation of Jesus Christ. Being a trusting servant, a loyal spouse, a quality parent or grandparent, neighbor, co-worker etc. Our relationship with people, especially those who are in our immediate circle of influence—these things should be at the top of our bucket lists. These are the things in life that will have lasting worth.
I don’t know about you, but I for one need to be on top of my game by constantly re-prioritizing my goals. I have to ask myself like my friend Steve would say “am I meeting my golds?” What better way to think of value than that of gold. In other words, what are our life goals truly worth? Perhaps even the more important question we should be asking ourselves is, who do my life goals have value or worth to?
Recently Tracy & I were invited to our grandson’s (Roman & Kingston) elementary school. It was Veterans Day, to which I and others were humbly honored for our service to our great country. After the service Kingston’s teacher asked if I would accompany them back to their kindergarten classroom so that the students could meet me and ask any questions about my service. I gladly agreed and fielded some fun and interesting questions.
As things were wrapping-up the teacher said, “Kingston, is there anything else you would like to say about your grandpa?” Kingston paused for a second, looked up at me and said “Yeah, he’s a really good papa.” Man, If that didn’t give me a fresh perspective (along with melting my heart)! Yet, another reminder to me of how vigilant I need to be in not only setting goals—but to prioritize my goals according to their value to others. In essence, making sure my goals are golds.
Please understand, I appreciated the honor shown to me on that Veterans Day, and I believe in instilling honor and respect to the students. But as a veteran, serving in the military is something that I did. And in that moment my grandson reminded me of how important it is to stay focused on what I am doing.
The Christmas season is upon us. Along with the hustle and bustle, there are sure to be many opportunities to prioritize the things and people that are most important in our lives. Time and undivided attention are as good as gold. Isn’t it interesting that one of the gifts that were brought by the magi to baby Jesus was in-fact—gold? …Just sayin 🙂
I sincerely hope you are encouraged by this today. I know I am.
Blessed by The Best,
Mark
See You in the River 