Last Saturday marked the third gathering of men in my backyard for Fire and Legends.
And for the third straight Saturday, the return far exceeded the investment.
First, one man shared the story of how life brought him from his childhood home in Minnesota to now live in Bend, Oregon by way of Alaska and even Antartica. As the rest of us listened, the horizons of our own worlds were expanded as we gained new insights into the man beside us. Thanks Craig!
Then another shared some parts of his life’s journey that others had never heard before. Listening to what he shared helped me to see some of my own life experiences in a new light, and all of us gained a deeper respect for what this man has already accomplished. Thanks Preston!
Just about every man who has attended Fire and Legends has either expressed how much they “really needed this” or shared that they “can’t wait to bring so-and-so next time”. It’s been really encouraging to hear, but it hasn’t been that surprising, mostly because we’ve just been doing what men are made for doing, sharing our stories. I plan to dive deeper on this thought in an upcoming post, but for now I want to stay focused on the realization I had as I looked around the property Saturday morning while gathering up cups and spreading out the coals from the fire.
You see, I’ve been wanting to start Fire and Legends for awhile now. Even before we lived on property that was so well suited to such gatherings, I found myself periodically organizing versions of what I’m doing now. Sometimes I’d invite friends to a bonfire at the beach or a nearby day-use park. Sometimes we’d go camping with friends and get 4 or 5 campfire sessions in a single weekend. One time I even hauled our metal fire pit down to the canal at the back of our neighborhood, plugged the coffee maker into my truck, and had coffee with a few guys while listening to the water flow by. Each time, regardless of the setting, the men who came were built up and encouraged by each other’s stories. Different Circumstances, Same Outcome. Simply gather men around a fire. Stories will be told. Strength will be shared.
Stories will be told. Strength will be shared.
Fire and Legends are powerful - almost magical. Sit by a fire and listen; older men will give you insight and wisdom through their stories. Stand by the fire and speak; younger men will be inspired by what you to share.
It really is a simple formula. It doesn’t take much to get started. I almost didn’t do it.
I thought I needed to prepare more.
I wanted to clean the place up some, put in a new gate, finish the projects in the yard first, wait till the pups were a little older and better behaved, get a few signs made to guide the men into the backyard so they don’t ring the doorbell and wake up my wife, etc. etc. etc….
For some reason, I felt like I needed to refine everything just a little more before I could really make an impact. I almost let all the things I planned to do “someday” keep me from doing what I wanted and needed to do today.
And then I remembered this scene from the movie, Gone in 60 Seconds…
Kip Raines and his partners are sent to steal a Porsche that they think is going to be parked on the street, but when they arrive on the scene they realize the car is actually parked inside a dealership showroom. The others are convinced the “boost” is off, but Kip just says, “I gotta get my tool” and heads to the trunk where he grabs a brick.
Kip’s partner “Mirror Man” tries to reason with him saying “Man, that’s not a tool, that’s a damn brick!”
Kip doesn’t lose a step though, he simply walks up to the window, throws the brick through, and the boost is on!
You can check out a clip of the scene here: Kip Raines and His “TOOL”
Now, let me be very clear, I’m not encouraging any kind of criminal behavior.
I’m not even encouraging you to be particularly reckless.
But I am curious what kind of impact we could have if we stopped letting what we didn’t have keep us from doing what we know needs doing.
Do you know some men who need to share their stories?
How can you make it happen with the “tools” you have?
What kind of impact we could have if we stopped letting what we didn’t have keep us from doing what we know needs doing.