The Good Stuff

A few years ago, I read the following quote by an anonymous author that literally provided the clarity of direction that I had not had before.

"One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child."

It has since become the cornerstone for all that I do, and is my reference point whenever I feel I need a sanity check on my priorities. I grew up blessed with parents that were guided by similar priorities, and took time to make sure the family enjoyed the good stuff. I am filled with memories of family trips to Maine, Vermont, Tennessee, and countless camping trips to various states and parks. To them, I say thank you.

The world we spend our days in today is too connected. Whether we are in or out of an office, the stresses, requests, and temptations of our jobs can find us on our cell phones, Blackberry's, or Wi-Fi laptops, making finding time for the good stuff that much harder. That is why I am so incredibly thankful that Donna, Gavin, and Isabelle all enjoy camping as much as I do. Once we are in the campground, I have one request of my time, and one priority. To be Dad. Unplugged, unconnected, unwired, and so completed satisfied.

So, to anyone who feels they may have their priorities a little mis-aligned, I say grab a tent, borrow a camper, pack a cooler, and head into the woods. I promise you, it will be therapeutic, and contagious. And, I can bet, you to will find yourself looking at your kids across a campfire and thinking, ah.... the good stuff.......