AMERICAN ORIGINAL: BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS

An American original sounds special?

Maybe too special, like a club that only allows members with the proper appearance, background, and complexion? And somehow you don’t fit any of the criteria?

You don’t need permission to be an American original, even with feelings of being left out, discarded, passed over. But if that is how you feel, you can still show others how to join.

Go head and stick an American original name tag on your shirt, your jacket. What the hell, get a tattoo. Ink it on your forehead, but I’d advice more of neck tattoo.

It doesn’t take much to be an American original, but it starts with being an American and embracing what America stands for.

If you’re reading this in a foreign land, like Germany, or Santa Barbara, copy the link and pass it along. Good morning, Sad Smiler. Hello from Portland, TC.

Those are of my favorite twitter guys, and American originals.

Do you qualify? Yes, you do. Here’s why:

Did you come from a sweet, loving, family who had your best interests in mind growing up?

Congratulations, Only Child.

Or, did you come from a larger family that competed for everything from the last meatball at the dinner table, the better hand-me-downs from big brothers and sisters, or a place in the family home you could call your own?

Either way, you’re in.

Joining American Traditions

I wasn’t the only one in my litter to join things beyond Little League, but I was the one who took joining furthest.

As a reluctant little leaguer, my parents thought I spent too much time reading as a child, I signed up to play baseball. My first coach had a favorite player. His son.

Coach’s son and I played the same position; I was more afraid of the ball than he was.

It was a learning experience.

Some of my Little League friends joined Boy Scouts later, some joined band. I joined both. The former Scout Master had sold the troop’s gear before leaving town; the band teacher was a tyrant.

More learning experiences.

From there I joined school teams for football, basketball, and in high school, the wrestling team.

Results varied, but not the enthusiasm.

In college I joined the wrestling team for a year, then dropped out and joined the army and failed the try out for the All-Army Wrestling Team. I punched the card for veteran status.

I joined the educational elite by earning a college degree from Portland State University, which might be the first time PSU has been called ‘elite.’

Joining organizations is not a lone wolf habit. Joiners adapt, help out, and listen to others. From scouts, to sports teams, to the big green machine, joining up meant picking up the standard.

American Original Exceptionalism

Joining American traditions creates exceptional citizens.

That became more evident after I got married and raised kids who were joiners. My wife was a big driver. I coached their rec-league teams, she became a ‘sports mom.’

Together we’ve seen younger people, millennials, rise together to make a better world. We joined the ranks of grandparents two months ago. If there’s anything that gives hope, it’s a baby.

And there’s nothing quite like spending a day with baby and new parents to reaffirm the notion of hope.

Since one cue to future behavior is home life, and since no one lives forever, it’s encouraging to see the strength of the American original moving forward.

I ask, are you feeling confident, all things considered?

For one, I am.

If you’re not, why not? Maybe you need a new persona?

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