Pinch. Punch.

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Pinch. Punch. These two words are very similar. They both are spelled with five letters. Four of the letters (the consonants) are exactly the same: p, n, c, and h. Both are action words generally requiring action of the hand. The only difference in the printed letters is the vowels: the ‘I’ and the ‘u’. Generally “I” is self-focused while “u” (you) can pertain to multiple others. It’s this difference that I want to address: will your life’s impact be only about ‘I’, small like a pinch; or will it be about others, the ‘you’- bigger than I- like a punch.

I begin thinking about this a few months ago when my teen son and I were discussing the consequences of not wearing a particular color of clothing in recognition of an international cultural and religious celebration day. I recalled the pinch as the consequence; while my son boldly boasted that a punch was definitely the consequence. I tell you to see him scurrying around the house to ensure that he was wearing that specific color because he didn’t want to be punched was definitely a sight to see (I wish he used that much enthusiasm regarding cleaning his room; ummm…I guess I need to work on some different consequences J). At first I attributed his urgent search to youth but then I thought: the punch leaves a very different impression/impact from the pinch. Knowing that I would be on the receiving end of a punch (or in his case multiple punches throughout the day from school peers)—(I’m learning that this type of “play” is a common communication style among young and teen males), I think I too would be more motivated to ensure that I wore that particular color as well.

So my question to you: which will be your impact—the pinch or the punch?

The Pinch.  According to merriam-webster.com, the medical definition of pinch is to squeeze or compress (a part of the body) usually in a painful or discomforting way.  You definitely know when you’ve pinched, especially if you’ve ever had a pinched nerve and don’t forget that “pinch” you may have received from your mama or grandmamma while sitting next to her in church. However for this writing, I equate the pinch to the mundane; just surviving, the monotony that most of us commonly choose. We go to work, go home and continue on a routine cycle of just making it. There’s really no challenge or adventure to life, it just exists and we just exists—just dealing with whatever comes. Generally this type of lifestyle only impacts the person living it. This person blends in the crowd and just waits for life to happen.

The Punch. The punch knocks the breath out of you and incites a desire to respond strongly and quickly. Sometimes, the punch can be so strong that an impression of what punched you is left on you. It leaves a lasting emotional and sometimes psychological impression/impact. The punch path is full of setting and accomplishing life changing and challenging goals that embody fulfillment, the pursuit of purpose and a passion for living. It involves fully embracing life’s plan and flowing with the twists and turns as they come. It’s the blazing of your own trail and leaving an impact/impression so great that others are inspired to be their own persons. It is boldly living life on your own terms, while being confident that although it’s a different path, it is indeed your own path.

‘I’ or ‘U’: The Pinch or the punch impact? Which life impact/impression will you choose?