Forged in Fire

In the spirit of looking back upon some of my old writing, I figured none better than a short post that I had written in June of last year on decision making and how it directly impacts what lay ahead for us in this journey of life.

The post was called, as you’ve probably gathered from the title of this one – “Set the Table.”

Its primary point of emphasis was this: “Every single decision you’ve made, things you’ve done (and things you’ve chosen to avoid) – all play into where you stand right here in this moment.”

In writing this, I recall drawing upon some wisdom from the great author and Greek Stoicism aficionado, Ryan Holiday. Ryan is the author of several best-selling books, including “The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love and Raising Great Kids” which has become a staple in my daily routine – I read a page each morning before I get things rolling. Among many (and I mean, many) other things that Ryan has said or written that have strongly impacted the way I think and view the world as a man in my mid-20’s, this direct quote speaks volumes: 

“You’ll need to set the table today, to have the one that you’ll want tomorrow.”

I find it interesting to take a look back at how I once interpreted certain things – quotes, images, experiences, etc. – and this particular situation is no exception.

Though in most ways, my thoughts on setting your “table”, so to speak, have remained quite similar, there are some new bits and pieces that occupy my mind when I start thinking about what this means and how it applies to my life in its current state. The reason behind such a shift, I believe, is due in large part to my role as a father. 

Some eight-ish months ago, I likened “setting the table” to the act of reducing friction in my life, i.e. physically setting things up, proactively setting the stage for whatever was ahead of me. An example of such could be prepping each and every little thing necessary for an early morning workout before heading to bed the night prior, which I’ve touched on many times. What this does is it tears down a wall of resistance that is only human nature to be present. We all have a pre-programmed negative relationship with an early alarm clock – it’s HARD to bypass this and it’s made even easier to stay in the warm sheets if nothing is prepared for you ahead of time. See what I mean?

Now, while this is very much still a rock-solid example of “setting the table,” I now feel the importance of the concept in a much deeper, nearly four-dimensional way. In a way that consumes my heart and soul.

Before I get too carried away, what does four-dimensional really even mean? Is it a real thing? I can’t say, but can speak to how I see it manifesting in my thoughts and actions.

It’s no longer just me. It’s not even just my wife and I. Gone are the days of just “Tucker and Taum.” It’s “The Morrison Family,” which is a title that brings about such an incredible amount of pride, but also intensifies the importance behind setting the table, which is, as I said, no longer just for me but for us.

What do I want my children to inherit? How do I hope that their childhood is perceived when they are old enough to genuinely reflect on it? What can I do to help them become not just good kids, but great adults? These questions are real, and they’re important. They stand out in my mind as the most imperative when it comes time to set that table – to do what is necessary today, for the ideal tomorrow. 

If you find yourself wondering, like I once was, “when will that time come?” I’m here to assure you that that time is right now, and it’s here to stay. 

What needs to be done? Not just for you, but for your family? (or, your family that may come to fruition down the road.)

There is a brilliant saying, from the book titled “Disciplines of a Godly Man” which I coincidentally plugged in this week’s Friday Fire Newsletter (you should subscribe, if you’re not already) that goes a little something like this: “No discipline, no discipleship! No sweat, no sainthood! True or not true? How do you feel, deep inside, about this challenge? How does spiritual discipline differ from legalism? Which do you most often practice? Is change needed? If so, how can you bring this about?”

All of this, while drifting a bit from the topic at hand, is still so closely related. Without discipline, we can’t overcome resistance. Sweat follows hard work. If change is necessary, it must be made. This is the truth.

I challenge you to ask yourself these hard questions, and to determine what it’s going to take, what sacrifices you’re going to need to make, how you need to revamp the way you live your life, and the actionable steps you’ll need to implement in order to set the table for yourself and for those that are counting on you to do so.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read. If you enjoyed my writing, you can subscribe to future posts by using the field below!

---

Any donation would also be very much appreciated! Funds will go directly toward growing the Forged in Fire outreach in our efforts to share our mission with others. Thank you kindly in advance!