Friday, September 05, 2025
ESSAY - MAVERICK AND ME OR DADDY WOULD RISE UP OUT OF HIS GRAVE
BY DONOVAN BALDWIN
In the old American TV western, Maverick, gambler Bret Maverick (James Garner, in the photo) often handed out some aphorism preceded by, "As my old pappy used to say..."
When my old-school ways are mentioned, I often say, "My daddy would come up out of his grave if I didn't...", hold the door for a lady, apologize for an improper word (Excuse my French... with apologies now to the French!), or some other anachronistic behavior.
Well, a lot of what I, and Bret Maverick, often attribute to our respective fathers, actually came to us through the culture we were raised in, and the words and actions of many other people. I can remember such "lessons" which pop up in daily life.
Such as the time my drill sergeant in Basic Combat Training, politely, and "with all due respect", took the side of a bunch of cold, shivering soldiers, and told a young "shave tail" second lieutenant, that he was wrong.
Or the boss that quietly taught good behavior and proper leadership without a word, or a "dear little Irish priest" who started my life long love of reading by telling stories.
Or the stranger who suddenly showed up and did the right thing... which I witnessed... and learned from.
You never know who's watching... and what they're learning.
Said "good morning" to a teenage boy with ear buds in this morning. Maybe he'll remember... if he heard me.
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Like this essay by Donovan Baldwin? Maybe you will also like the essay "Sorry, Yoda".
Labels: Bret Maverick, donovan baldwin, essay, respect
Tuesday, September 05, 2017
When The World Pushes Back
By Donovan Baldwin
We like to "be ourselves", "do our own thing".
Well, that's great, but, sometimes who we are, want to be, or the image we convey, doesn't fit well in the world, and we get pushback.
I have heard many people, including my daughter say, "Well, they just need to accept me for who I am.", and then complain about how people were NOT accepting her.
I had a truck driver friend who, that when he arrived at a busy loading dock, in the rumpled, slept-in attire of many truck drivers, he had to wait, and was ignored by warehouse staff. So, he started making sure he was clean shaven, hair combed, and, instead of a t-shirt, wore a simple, button up the front shirt.
When he got to his destination, he would put on a cheap sport coat, and clip-on tie, and go to the dock.
What happened?
People came up to him and asked how they could help him, gave him directions and assistance, sent him to THEIR break room sometimes, and, often, unloaded his load sooner, thanks in part to his genuinely cheerful mien and pleasant disposition.
Didn't work all the time, but, sometimes, it just made him feel better to present a "better", or more professional image.
We can be "who we really are", and still make ourselves more acceptable to others. It's not a lifestyle change, just an adaptation for acceptance.
Well, that's great, but, sometimes who we are, want to be, or the image we convey, doesn't fit well in the world, and we get pushback.
I have heard many people, including my daughter say, "Well, they just need to accept me for who I am.", and then complain about how people were NOT accepting her.
I had a truck driver friend who, that when he arrived at a busy loading dock, in the rumpled, slept-in attire of many truck drivers, he had to wait, and was ignored by warehouse staff. So, he started making sure he was clean shaven, hair combed, and, instead of a t-shirt, wore a simple, button up the front shirt.
When he got to his destination, he would put on a cheap sport coat, and clip-on tie, and go to the dock.
What happened?
People came up to him and asked how they could help him, gave him directions and assistance, sent him to THEIR break room sometimes, and, often, unloaded his load sooner, thanks in part to his genuinely cheerful mien and pleasant disposition.
Didn't work all the time, but, sometimes, it just made him feel better to present a "better", or more professional image.
We can be "who we really are", and still make ourselves more acceptable to others. It's not a lifestyle change, just an adaptation for acceptance.
Labels: be yourself, donovan baldwin, life lesson, respect, truck driver
