Living with Intentionality

Suppose we are interested in learning a new language. My son took an interest in Russian after we had gone to the Spy Museum in Washington one summer. Because of my interest in French literature, I took an interest in learning French. One thing you quickly learn with languages like French or Russian—and I suspect Chinese or Navajo—is that you do not just “pick it up.” One must make a deliberate decision and make a commitment to the task. You decide, Yes, I will take whatever steps are necessary to achieve this goal.

There is vocabulary to acquire, grammar to wrestle with, awkward mistakes to endure, and long stretches where progress feels painfully slow. There are moments when you wonder why you ever started. Fluency comes, if it comes at all, through patience, repetition, correction, and persistence. No shortcut replaces the work.

In its essence, achieving a goal like this requires (a) the decision to do so, (b) finding a mentor who can help us move from square one toward real facility, and (c) following through on each step along the way—even when enthusiasm fades.

Dallas Willard, in his book Renovation of the Heart, uses this process of learning a language as a metaphor for character development. It requires intentionality first. Do we actually want to become better people? Growth of this sort does not “just happen.” Habits, virtues, patience, courage—these are learned disciplines, not accidents.

Life is an ocean. If you are a ship in London and want to reach New York, it will be a very long time before you arrive if you simply drift—if you arrive at all. Currents may carry you somewhere, but not necessarily where you hoped to go. Tragically, many people live precisely this way: reacting, drifting, adapting, but rarely choosing.

Low aims produce small lives. No aim at all produces fragmentation.

Where are you going with your life? What kind of goals do you have for your own personal development—not just professionally, but morally and spiritually? As Ralph D. Winter once said, “Risks are not to be evaluated in terms of the probability of success, but in terms of the value of the goal.”

Some goals are worth pursuing even if they take years, even if they cost us comfort, even if progress is uneven. Character is one of those goals.

Keep pressing on. Purposefully.

Memory Lane: Cub Scout Days

This week, while organizing some containers in my garage, I came across my Cub Scout Scrapbook. I'd entirely forgotten this, but found I had done a few scrapbooks back then. Another one was about the Cleveland Indians, my favorite baseball team. Did you make scrapbooks as a kid?  

In 1960, I became a Cub Scout. The Cub Scouts were part of the Boy Scouts of America, offering boys aged 8–10 a vibrant program fostering personal growth and community values. There were four levels: Webelos (at the top), Bear, Wolf, and Lion ranks. 

Me with brothers Don (L) and Ron (R)

Scouting emphasized character development, citizenship, and outdoor skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Weekly den meetings and monthly pack gatherings built camaraderie, with boys earning badges for achievements like knot-tying, camping, and first aid. 

The program’s family-oriented approach encouraged parental involvement, strengthening bonds through events like the Pinewood Derby, where boys crafted and raced wooden cars. Cub Scouts promoted teamwork, leadership, and respect, rooted in the Scout Oath and Law, while outdoor adventures like campouts sparked a love for nature. Uniforms and ceremonies instilled pride and belonging, making Cub Scouts a positive, formative experience aimed at shaping boys into responsible, confident individuals.

My brother Ron (R) and I.

(L to R) Don, myself and Ron.

Probably my first "cover art" illustration.

What were your scouting experiences like? 

What years were you a Scout?

Leave a comment.

Character Matters. The Johnny Manziel Fiasco

In college Johnny Manziel was a superstar.

Cleveland baseball and football fans have had a pretty rough go of it during the past sixty years. The city's bad luck in baseball was so legendary that a book was written about it: Terry Pluto's The Curse of Rocky Colavito. Cleveland Browns fans haven't fared much better. In fact, the last bit of really good news for Browns fans was when owner Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore but allowed Cleveland to retain the Browns name and uniforms. 

Bill Bellicek was head coach at that time, with an outstanding record in the works when, mid-season, Modell announced the move. Things quickly unravelled and have never been the same.

One good thing about a losing record in the NFL is that you get top draft picks. The worst teams become first in line for the annual crop of college stars on the auction block.

In 2014 the Browns selected Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel to lead them back to becoming a contender. The kid had talent, they said. The moment he was drafted, however, it became apparent he was missing something. Flaunting his mega-millions contract, it seemed plain that this was not going to be the hero who would carry this team. It's truly a shame because the opportunity was right there in front of him. Instead, he derailed his career with a combination of poor decisions and personal issues. 

Here's a short list of reasons Johnny boy failed in Cleveland and was unable to get a gig with any other NFL team afterwards.

His off-field behavior was a constant issue. He faced legal troubles, including allegations of domestic violence, bar fights, and reckless driving. These incidents tarnished his reputation and led to disciplinary actions from the NFL and his team.

Substance abuse was another issue, primarily alcohol and partying, which negatively impacted his performance and behavior. His partying lifestyle was well-documented in the media, and it raised concerns about his commitment to football.

His lack of preparation was similarly indicative of his lack of commitment to Cleveland success. Leaders lead by example. Tom Brady's preparation for games was legendary. There were reports that Manziel did not put in the necessary effort to prepare for games and improve his skills as a quarterback. This lack of dedication and focus on his career hindered his development as a professional player.

By his inconsistent performance on the field it became apparent to all that he was in over his head at the pro level. Combined with the distractions of his personal life, legal issues and public disputes, it's easy to see why Manziel stumbled. Add to this his unwillingness to assume responsibility for his own behavior and you have the kind of player who becomes odious to fans. He disrespected his team mates as well as the Browns organization that had recruited him. After two years his NFL career was over. 

Such a shame.

Moral of the Story: Pride goes before a fall. 

Character counts. It doesn't matter how smart or talented you are, if you lack character you will very likely undermine your dreams of future success. 

Manziel photo is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Whatever Happened To Discipline?

To borrow an observation from my 92-year-old mother, "It's funny the things we remember."  This morning I recalled two books I read four and five decades ago. One was called The Disciplined Life, by Richard S. Taylor. The subtitle for this book is The Mark of Christian Maturity. You don't have to be a Christian to resonate with many of the messages in this book. Though written to help Christians reach their full potential, Taylor's observations and advice apply across the board. 

Lack of discipline has many negative consequences in our relationship and in our work lives. Over-reacting to tense situations or criticism has cost more than a few people their jobs. Erractic (undisciplined) emotions can interfere with one's productivity. Tardiness is often due to lack of discipline with one's time. 

The second book is John Hersey's Too Far To Walk. This is a lesser known book by the author of Hiroshima, Hersey's powerful study of the aftereffects of the first atomic bomb. Too Far To Walk is a 1966 novel about the turbulence of the Sixties. The main character is John Fist, who one day decides to skip a class because it is across campus and too far to walk. The novel details his slide into lack of motivation and self-indulgence. 

The benefits of living a disciplined life are many. Do you want to be happy? Change your behavior and you won't have to beat yourself up all the time for your follies.

Here are some of the other advantages of living a disciplined life.

1. Increased productivity: When you follow a routine and discipline yourself to stick to it, you are more likely to get things done efficiently and effectively. You'll waste less time and have a clearer sense of purpose and direction. Procrastination is the enemy of productivity. We put off doing what isn't "fun" and get less done, because things like getting up in the morning or doing taxes aren't always that exciting.
2. Improved health and well-being: Increased productivity rewards us with a feeling of accomplishment which can boost your self-esteem and confidence. When you feel good you have more of a spring in your step and it lifts those around us as well. Discipline can help you develop healthy habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet. It can also help you avoid unhealthy behaviors like excessive drinking or smoking.
3. Greater self-control: Living a disciplined life can help you resist temptations and make better choices. You'll be more in control of your impulses and less likely to give in to immediate gratification. To learn more about the benefits of deferred gratification read this article about The Marshmallow Experiment.
4. Enhanced focus and concentration: A disciplined life can help you eliminate distractions and focus your attention on the task at hand. This also can lead to increased productivity and better outcomes. Tip: How much screen time do you allow yourself each day? How about your kids? 

Writers working on assignment know how important deadlines are. It takes discipline to stay organized and on task, whatever size the project. 

When I was a senior in high school I heard a classmate explaining why he was joining the army. He said that he had no personal discipline and his life felt out of control. He felt like he needed an external force to change this or he would never amount to anything and very likely would self-destruct. It was apparent he had spent a lot of time thinking about his behavior and what he wanted out of life. He knew his future was in his hands.

If your life is out of control, do whatever it takes to turn it around. You only live once. 

Photo Credit: AI modified version of my Portrait of John Cage

Reading the Character of Others by Their Faces: A Scene from The Dancer Upstairs

A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerilla leader.  Tagline, The Dancer Upstairs

As I've written elsewhere, The Dancer Upstairs is an exceptional movie (and one of my favorites), despite the somewhat lukewarm response from critical viewers at Imdb.com. There are so many satisfying subtleties to savor that a  less patient viewer might miss. By "less patient" I mean that kind of viewer looking for thrill-ride action and spectacle. This film is more like a layered poem that keeps treating you to new insights over time as you reflect on its passages.

In the film Javier Bardem plays the central character Augustin Rejas. a disillusioned former lawyer who is now a police detective because he wanted to do something more honest. As it turns out, this decision will only bring him further disillusionments. 

The scene I wanted to share here takes place in a cafe. At this point in the film, after years of activity in the surrounding rural areas the revolutionary guerrilla leader Ezequiel has become active in the Capital. Augustin is seated with Yolanda (Laura Morante), his daughter's dance instructor with whom he has slowly become enamored. 

Large photographs of faces hang on the walls of the cafe. Each table has a brochure listing their identities, quiz-style. That is, it's like a game for couples or groups to play. One person picks a face and the other must guess what kind of person it is. Hero, vagabond, prince, thief, etc.

Yolanda: They're from newspapers. So picture number two, who do you think it is?

Augustin: Well, he's obviously a thief.

Yolanda: Mm-mm. No. Murder victim. Now... Picture number nine.

Augustin: Policewoman?

Yolanda: Policewoman it is. Now it's your turn.

Augustin: Picture number seven?

Yolanda: I would say, a judge.

Augustin: No. Murderer. (a beat) Number ten?

Yolanda: A thief.

Augustin: Right. Well, that means half the people  we meet, we get wrong.

SPOILER ALERT

It's a brief scene, seemingly unrelated to the story, yet precisely designed to foreshadow what's to come. As Chekhov famously noted, you don't put a gun in the story if you're not going to use it. The scene, therefore, is clearly intentional.

The big surprise comes at the climax when everything is revealed. Neither Augustin nor Yolanda had grasped who the other was or the motivations that impelled them. In other words, in the game of faces, each incorrectly assumed the character of the other.

* * *

How are you at reading character? How often would you say that "what you see is what you get"? Frequently our interactions with others are relatively innocuous. I've been fooled before. Things aren't always as they seem. 

Perhaps we get fooled because we trust too much. We find it hard to believe that this person or that would lie so audaciously. Often we only hear what we want to hear. As the saying goes, we "like to put the best face on things." 

There's a better way to measure character. It's not what people say but what they do and how they act that reveals who they are. 

This applies equally to ourselves. It's important every once in a while to take stock. As we lean over the mirror of our acts, our souls recognize what we are.

Related Links

Javier Bardem Delivers the Goods in The Dancer Upstairs

The Mirror of Our Acts