WHAT M3 MEANS TO ME

Since joining in 2005, M3 has helped me in many ways:

Upon reflection, and writing these notes this morning,  my M3 journey has been built upon the implementation of the 5 C’s from Ed Adams’ book:  Curiosity, Compassion,  Courage,  Commitment and  Connection

 Specifically -

 I’ve developed friendships with the men of M3

 Learned to listen and evaluate viewpoints other than my own

 Learned to be open and share my life and experiences with others

 Learned to understand and manage and co-exist with anxiety and uncertainty

 Learned to be bolder in my everyday decisions, taking educated risks, and evaluating the outcomes.

and what I’ll talk about today – PLAY  see moose antler

 REGAINING THE JOY OF PLAY -  largely, yet not exclusively, in the form of the annual M3 wilderness adventures.

 Friedrich Nietzsche said “In every real man, a child is hidden that wants to play.” -  

  You don’t need to be a philosopher to appreciate that statement. 

 At first I was hesitant to attend the M3 wilderness adventure in Maine, but Jerry Zipkin “worked on” me and got me to make the commitment.  

Thank you Jerry.

This moose antler hangs in our playroom, much to my daughters’ chagrin, but for me it serves as a rather large and outsized reminder of our trips to Maine.  On my office desk are several stones from Munsungan lake, and a framed  photo of a group of 10 of us at the Reed Pond out camp.

 Since that first trip in 2008, the yearly M3 adventure has been an eagerly anticipated vacation for me and a highpoint of my year.

 While on the trip, we start out each day asking the question we often asked in our youth:  What do we want to do today?  As each day presents new possibilities.  

 A favorite quote of mine from the philosopher and philologist - Martin Buber is: 

“Play is the exultation of the possible.”

 The companionship, support, and conversation with the other men on the trip is pure enjoyment, including the drive to-and-from the destination and the meals an discussions en route.

 Due to Covid-19, the trip was cancelled last year, and this year we will explore  a new venue in the Shenandoah River region of Virginia,  but the destination is less important than the journey.  

 We will have a great time, rain or shine … and   we   will   PLAY.

I’d encourage any man who hasn’t tried the M3 wilderness week to attend the 2022 M3 Adventure.