The F Bomb We Don’t Expect
The one you’re thinking?
Cringey.
The other?
Costly.
“I forgot what I was going to say.”
“I forgot to say ‘thanks.’”
Moments forgetting what matters.
“I will never forget…”
Moments leaving weight to carry.
And before we notice—
“I remember…”
Starts making decisions.
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“Forgetting what lies behind…”
An “F-bomb” written 2,000 years ago.
That we struggle with today.
The Apostle Paul wrote about failures.
And successes.
He didn’t mention the labels, shame, and criticism from mistakes.
Or the labels, expectations, and demands from achievements.
But we carry them.
Along with memories of the moments.
Then wonder why we’re exhausted.
I once asked a mentor why he didn’t “do more.”
Counseling.
Leading.
Because he carries more wisdom, kindness, and intelligence than I could hope for.
The reason was shocking.
“Because of things I did 40 years ago.”
A future unnecessarily changed.
Written by actions remembered.
With words not forgotten.
Silencing potential.
“Remember when you…”
Eye roll.
Shake of the head.
“How can I forget.”
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“…and straining forward to what lies ahead…” Paul continued.
Intense physical effort to push towards the prize.
The sprint.
Leaning forward as we cross the finish line.
Yet we hold back.
Trying to stay ahead of the past.
While losing to the words defining it.
“I would love to…but…I always…”
“I wish I could…but…I never…”
“That would be awesome…but…last time I…”
A history not forgotten.
A future decided by labels defining it.
Opportunities lost.
Not because we’re “less.”
Because “…but…” made us think we are.
And the sprint becomes a trudge toward a prize…
That our words keep moving.
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Early in my faith, I was called to serve with Prison Fellowship.
The first irony?
I was Military Police.
God has a sense of humor.
The second?
Some of these men—guilty of heinous crimes—
Were mentally and emotionally…
Spiritually…
More free than I was.
God doesn’t joke about grace.
They had stopped performing for privileges and parole.
And started trusting The Word.
I spent the next thirty years performing.
While trusting…
Hiding behind…
And managing my own words.
Their sentences kept them behind bars.
I didn’t know my sentences were building a prison.
My name is G. Scott, and I write about the power…and burden of the words shaping people, organizations, and outcomes. I’ve served over thirty years in the corporate environment scaling operations and sales initiatives and teams regionally and nationally.
I have been blessed with my wonderful wife Alyson, three great kids and my first granddaughter.
The most important part of my work? You. I hope you share your story!
If this has been tough, please reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor
