NUMENON |
PONDERING CORE ESSENCE
NUMENON |
I recently gave my first "Ice Breaker" talk at my Toastmasters' International club. Here's a synopsis of what I hope I said! Good afternoon! Thank you (MC, members and guests.) I'd especially like to thank S, who introduced me to this club. This is my Ice Breaker talk, and so I'd like you to come away with a sense of what motivates me, but I also hope you find this to be somewhat engaging. And, I really hope to spark some thought. Now I know that I really am no more than a civil servant, my wife's life-long partner and the father of two adult daughters who are turning out to be delightfully bright, productive citizens. But today I m going to be a bit selfish and focus on what motivates me and perhaps makes me a bit unique. My youth was full of baseball, hockey, fishing and the outdoors. Age and injuries have made sports less alluring to me, but fishing has grown into a life-long endeavor and vehicle for personal growth. Here's a picture from a couple of years ago. It's a decent pic of a very nice bass, but why this snapshot resonates with me is this: it EXACTLY captures a dream of mine at the age of 9 or 10. From that dream, I vividly recall holding and admiring a fine bucket mouth bass, and the surging pride of accomplishment. The morning after that dream, I asked my Dad to take me fishing. He did, the very next day; and my lifelong pursuit was launched. I cannot see this picture without thinking fondly about my Dad or any of the fine experiences that were spawned by our first trip together. Now, the thing about fishing is that it leaves you alone with your thoughts for extended periods of time. That's fine with me, because I consider myself to be thoughtful and introspective. In 2003, I purchased a new fishing boat, and I wanted to name her both suitably and meaningfully. I vaguely recalled an intriguing concept from one of my first reading assignments in College. So, more than 20 years later, I found myself re-reading Aldo Leopold's "A Sand County Almanac". Mr. Leopold was an early conservationist, resource manager, philosopher and founder of The Wilderness Society. His "Almanac" is an unassuming diary of his thoughts regarding his onligatory stewardship of his Wisconsin farmland. The concept in question is that of Numenon; I'll self-define it here as "the core essence of a balanced and harmonious system; if something cannot be removed or changed without affecting or compromising the system within which that entity resides... that is the system's unique, distilled essence, its Numenon." So, the Brook Trout in a cold Appalachian Stream; a Ruffed Grouse gracing a Wisconsin Pine Barrens farm with its mating drumming and dance; and my particular, multi-species boat; these are all defining entities. Surely there are plenty of other streams, farms and fishermen; but as surely, these are more complete, interesting and valuable with their respective Numena present. And so my boat was named; but what I didn't expect was this: Re-reading the "Almanac" had re-kindled my interest in philosophy and deeper thought. Numenon (the boat) provided lots of solitary time to help me develop these. I've adopted an eye for recognizing "core essence" and extracting beneficial meaning from everyday occurences. My concept of Numenon has provided a lense and focus for self-reflection, often while aboard Numenon herself. I am fortunate to say that I am convinced that I am happier, more buoyant, calm and productive because of these synergistic activities. Plus, I've generated some good fishing tales along the way, too! And so there I am; I like to fish, and I like to ponder. I've discovered a beneficial synergy between these activities, and I am fully invested in both. Finally, I am a better and more complete person for it. Thank you; I simply encourage you to enjoy a day on the water! But, I also encourage all to find their appropriate vehicle for personal growth, peace of mind and sense of individual meaning. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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Steve LachanceVia Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan and now, back to New England! Archives
June 2024
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