Your Once Self

Life happens between your once self and your now self.  But what if, what if you tied a rope to your once self - just in case you ever wanted to go back.

Although I probably couldn't complete one project the magazine has ever published, I've been receiving Popular Mechanics for twenty years. Over that span and another ten years plus, a span where I've been the only one in the house to lift the toilet seat, I've considered my subscription an anchor to being a guy.  So, when I saw the current issue's main article, 25 Skills Every Man Should Know, I took notice.  Three days later I'm browsing the book section in Wal-Mart and I pick up, The Dangerous Book for Boys.  The book shows one how to skip stones, make a battery, cook a rabbit and other informational stuff like the rules of soccer, why is the sky blue and a time line of early American history.  For the record, Latin Phrases Every Boy Should Know sealed the deal for me.  (It figures he said shaking his head).

I have been thinking lately that I've let the little boy in me escape.  I used to create bikes out of garbage, play army and build forts out of wood and snow.  Then I grew up.  Or at least got older.  Fortunately I discovered the Internet twelve years ago.  That led to writing and at least an intellectual connection towards my imagination.  My very best friend who left our physical world in 1970, says, "Imagination is the workshop of the soul where in is shaped all the plans for individual achievement."  Imagination is even one of my personal values.  But it doesn't take the place of getting muddy or riding along at eighty miles per hour in leather or filleting a fish or paddling a canoe or building a campfire or sharpening a knife.  It doesn't take the place of experience. 

I have been thinking of getting back and jiggy with my once self.  I think I am going to use the PM article and the book to provide ideas.  I have a feeling by getting back to my once self I am going to change my now self.

Comments

[Rosa Say]

This is a fabulous post Dave, it talks to "the person we like" who lives inside of us all, wondering when it is safe to come out and play sky-hini (the Hawaiian version of cul-de-sac softball) in the street again.

And the way you wrote it is priceless. I laughed out loud thinking about all the crafts and recipes in my old Martha Stewart magazines.

Nānā i ke kumu. We go to the well.

[Steve Sherlock]

Ah, Dave this is a good one. I too am the only one in the house lifting the seat so I can sympathize. My hero is still Peter Pan so go for it!

[Steve Sherlock]

Ah, Dave this is a good one. I too am the only one in the house lifting the seat so I can sympathize. My hero is still Peter Pan so go for it!

[dave]

Alrighty then Martha Say, time to start cookin! :-)

I was aware of the personnel deployment within your battalion Steve and had thought of you when writing this. :-)

[Verna Wilder]

Wonderful post, Dave. I've seen that book, too, and thought about getting it for my soon-to be-12-years-old grandson, who will in a few years think he's too smart or too cool to do boy things. Now I know what to give him for his birthday.

Wouldn't it be cool if we could all meet not only our own "once" selves but those of each other?! Do it, Dave, and tell us about him, ok?

Love,
v

[dave]

A must read for your grandson Verna!

Meeting each other's once self is a most mind stimulating thought Verna!

There are parts of me that I want to reconnect with and other parts that, while essential to me being who I am today, would rather leave back there in history.