"Why" of What We Do

I’ve heard it said that you will never understand the value of what you do until you can identify the “why” of why you do it. While sitting under the Friday night lights of a hometown football game, I was recently reminded of just how true that statement is.

I’ve already been asked a lot, “Why are you launching 3 Cord Crossing? What is the point?”. It reminds me a lot of the questions that we get from some individuals who don’t understand our passion for hunting and the outdoors when the “point” of those activities are outside their perspective.

I've heard it said that you will never understand the value of what you do until you can identify the "why" of why you do it.

I love this time of year and the hunting seasons that it brings with it. I have experienced few moments where I experience God at a greater level than when I’m sitting twenty feet in the air with my bow in hand, watching, and listening to the world wake up as the vibrant colors of a fall sunrise come to life. What a great reminder that only a great and loving God could paint such a beautiful scene. Sometimes we are lucky enough to have great deer encounters, ducks with wings cupped focused on landing in the hole, or turkeys that gobble until they should surely be losing their voice. Sometimes we may even be fortunate enough to fill a tag or score a limit of ducks or crappie. But the “why” behind why we do those activities is far greater. . .

A prime example of one “why” can be found from last year when a group of buddies and I decided that we were going to make an effort to go on a new hunting or fishing experience each year. We love hunting our own farms and local spots but wanted to do more than just notch tags and see the same sights every year. We wanted to create experiences and make memories before life got away from us and found us looking back with a long list of “we wish we would haves”. Last year we were lucky enough to draw a managed muzzleloader hunt in Western Missouri. We were so excited about the trip. We rented a house for the week, stocked up on junk food, did some advanced scouting, and finally headed out in search of a new adventure. Wes and Aaron were able to fill their tags with dandy bucks, but the ultimate “why” of what we were doing was far greater than two successful hunters.

Throughout the course of the week, we made memories that would outscore any buck harvested on the trip, or any other for that matter. Memories such as getting soaked by a pop-up thunderstorm and laughing about it as we returned to the rental house looking like a bunch of whooped, half-frozen pups. We spent hours talking a lot about hunting, life, families, jobs, dreams, and hopes for the future. We debated things like who made the best camo patterns, which outdoor products are simply marketing ploys, and who our favorite music artists were. We ate meals together and strategized how to go about the next day’s hunts.

When Wes and Aaron tagged out on the same day and returned to our temporary, somewhat suburban, “base camp,” we stood in the freezing cold together and laughed as we assumed the neighbors were probably appalled at the gathering of camo clad crazies who were caping deer in the driveway.

Our "why" is not measured in inches of antler, but instead in knowing that we can share an experience that is embedded in our DNA with others that can cherish the same experiences.

Fast forward to a year later, to the same four guys sitting together at a high school football game. In between moments of raucous cheering and loud explanations toward the officials at how they could be better, we shared the memories of last year’s trip. Aaron and Wes still miss no opportunity to explain how their success was a direct result of their alleged superior skill sets. We all, however, share one of the strongest “whys” in why hunting and the outdoor experience is so powerful. It creates the perfect setting and a inspirational script for unbreakable bonds to be forged and unforgettable memories to be etched in our minds. Our “why” is not measured in inches of antler, but instead in knowing that we can share an experience that is embedded in our DNA with others that cherish the same experiences.

Recognizing the “why” of that trip and only magnifies the eagerness to plan the next. It makes us long for the opportunity to create the next set of memories. Similarly, it reminded me of the simple yet profound “why” of 3CC and the “why” of the relentless pursuit of our passions. Even in isolation, most of us would still hunt, fish, and engage in other outdoor activities. But for me, the power of hunting, the outdoors, and life in general is largely defined by the mutual investment in making memories with those who we share life with. It’s the memories that are made with our closest friends, the smile on our kids’ faces when they harvest their first deer, the soul warming cry of “I’ve got one” when you help a child catch their first fish.

We have allowed the world to create a comparative culture where we define success with how our experience compares with the neighbors. We choose to define our success with the timeless value of memories made with friends and family. The same can be said for “why” we decided to start 3 Cord Crossing. It is not defined by profit, an attempt to be on outdoor tv, or attempting to appear to have everything figured out. The “why” is solely to create a mechanism of community where memories are shared, thoughts are provoked, and people are encouraged. We pray that the next time you are hanging out at a football game with your buddies, circled around at deer camp, or quietly waiting in a stand that you are reminded of the “why” of what you do.