One of my summer goals was to finish this book before school.

I received my copy of Nick Offerman’s Gumption nine years ago from a friend. In the midst of owning and (slowly) reading this paperback, I met and married my beautiful bride, switched college majors, finally completed a degree (after approximately 10 years in college like some kind of real world Van Wilder), had a baby, and other mostly typical life events like buying a house.

It became my “camper” book while I worked through classes. A book about something as vague as gumption seemed like appropriate reading for a campfire, where sticks are whittled, tall tales are spun, and a more rustic side of humanity resides. As I read, I became more inspired. Likely what my friend intended in the midst of my divorce.

It’s a book I would recommend reading, ideally in fewer than nine years, as a reminder of what human spirit can accomplish and that perhaps we should choose better heroes today.

Coincidentally, that picture with the awful Champagne Velvet was posted August 10, 2016.  That was 9 years to the day from finishing the book.

So what is gumption anyway? Nick Offerman explores the topic through numerous noteworthy Americans with obvious picks like George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt. Some like Yoko Ono surprised me but made sense once Offerman gave context to his choice.

Gumption is more than a strong will. It’s  resourcefulness and inner strength. It’s self reliance and determination.

It’s not all Roosevelt style frozen Dakota Territory catching outlaw gumption either. It can be taking chances to build the kind of quality woodworking tools that are otherwise lost in the United States. Or inviting your competition to show off their wares because it’s better for the industry and better for the consumer. It is being bold enough to try new art forms or challenge conventions.

Gumption was a reminder of the lessons I should be teaching my children and ones that I should take to heart too. Sometimes doing the right thing in this world is a difficult choice. I would rather know my children stood up rather than sat idly by.