Deliberate

I had a Sailor tell me this week that they can always tell by the way I walk down the passageway that it's me. Personally, I think the fact that I'm the tall Lieutenant Commander with the shaved head that has something to do with it; but, I've heard the bit about my walk before. It's a deliberate gate. Somebody told me on my last ship that it usually looks like I just got off a horse when I walk. I like to think it's a hint of swagger, but nonetheless, it is apparently distinctive.

A couple months ago my division snapped a picture of me as I ducked in to one of our spaces for an award presentation that illustrates it a bit:

I think most of it has to do with where I'm from. One of the values I've come to appreciate over the years is being deliberate and considerate. I think it that's what comes through in the way I walk, the way I carry myself. To some, being deliberate can look slow or lethargic from afar. But, like my gate, it's not. Far from it. I've learned in my line of work what needs to be done immediately, what needs to be done quickly and what needs to be deliberately. I very much believe (as I'm sure Amy agrees ;) ) that there are many things in this life that need to be done deliberately and considerately.

When I checked on to my first ship, USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), out of San Diego, virtual trainers were just being introduced. We were among the first ships to be able to use it. One of the times I was over there, I was talking with one of the instructors, an older retired Admiral who told me, "You know why you're going to be a good ship driver, Ensign? Cause you're from Southern Virginia. Down there we look like we move and act slower, but it's because we actually think about what we're doing before we do it." It's true. The old Admiral who grew up on a peanut farm is exactly right. It's true for ship driving and it's true for most other things.

I've had a few things this week I've need to be very deliberate with. To take my time, because they needed to be done in a considerate manner, to be well crafted. It's hard to spend so much time on one task when there's always so many things to do. I hope I continue to know when to be immediate, when to be quick and when to be deliberate.

- Matt