Aiming Outward

The author Leigh Bechtle is a member of the St. Mary of Grace Parish community.

I am a retired trial lawyer still with ants in my pants to do something every day. Because of that I took to doing something that I started doing once every day when I was in a rehab hospital. I write stories from a long time ago when I was a young sailor in the Navy. The stories are going into a collection called The Sea and Anchor Detail – Stories about the Navy.
 
I have found that writing these has been cathartic to me and I’m learning from doing it. So that it’s clear, I have no monopoly on this. We all have stories and I highly recommend trying it. You never know where they’ll take you.
 
Recently, I was writing a dialogue describing a character, Commander Christopher Barnard, the Weapons officer aboard a light guided missile cruiser. In my stories, it’s important to get the characters well described to provide texture and dimension and well enough to understand, later, their later reasoning, thoughts, and actions. I tried to do that with Barnard, as follows:
 
“I first met him doing my duty-week for eight o’clock reports but I didn’t know him beyond that. The LT sure did, though, and as Charlie and I sat there drinking some decent scotch for a change, he filled me in:

Beck – here’s the deal with the Commander. First of all, he’s from Nebraska and that’s a place where it’s said that the norm is God-fearing men and strong women.

That’s the case with him. He’s the real deal. We’re friends. And we’ve talked…. about the crew, about leadership, about everything under the sun and I can tell you he is a man of Faith. His perspective, and mostly his efforts and certainly love is all outside and outward from himself.

He called it “aiming outward,” he says always be aiming outward. I guess it can be said that when he aims outward, it's a way of caring for and being kind to someone or toward something - helping and supporting. That’s just his nature.

One time there was a cup, saucer and spoon missing from the wardroom and there’s a nasty chief flip (one of the natives of the Philippines who had exclusive care of foodservices for the officers) who was badly dressing down some poor mess-cook because the cup set was “flag” (pertaining to the Admiral).

Well, Barnard stepped in, interrupted the chief, and told him that he took it to his stateroom. That’s typical; saving that kid’s ass is just how he is. I’ve seen him and it makes me think about this aiming out perspective.

I said: Yeah, I can see that. Barnard’s a smart guy. And a good one to have on your side.

Charlie (the LT) said; Oh yeah, he reports directly to the XO (Executive Officer), and they totally get along. It makes it easier for all of us.

He went on: This aiming out thing works not just personally, whether it's our families or loved ones or our government or a guiding principle to an institution like the courts, justice, the country or law and order, it’s the same thing.

I’ve seen him handle and turn around a rough and stubborn deck-division chief. Barnard was “aiming out” to look out for the best interest of the navy. He found the rudder by which the chief steered and couched the extra painting or work or whatever in terms of the old navy stand-by: “operational readiness” – for the navy. By my lights, he got the chief to aim outward.
    __________________
 
This came from God knows where but after I wrote it, a couple of things occurred to me.

First, this fundamental perspective and way of thinking and being, aiming outward, is essential, I believe. I also believe we receive guidance on implementing it in our lives from the Holy Spirit (we're close and I'm a huge fan).

Second, this approach as opposed to aiming inward is healthier. The self-centered and self-absorbed alternative, aiming inward can lead to problems. I can lead to feelings of persecution, anxiety, paranoia, constant victimhood, and a holy host of other psychological and potentially sociopathic tendencies. Whereas, if you are focused and busy “aiming outward” for the good of someone or something, you won’t have the time nor inclination to get all caught up in your socks with all the referenced personal issues. It’s worth thinking about.

Third, I should ask for some help and try to be aiming outward a little more like Commander Barnard.
                                                 _______________________
 
Leigh Bechtle/CDM
 rev’d. 06.02.24

---