Mr. San Diego Leather 2011 Kurt has been in Chicago this weekend, competing for the title of International Mr. Leather.
He hasn't been doing it for personal glory. Not at all. He's simply not that kind of guy.
So, what kind of guy is he?
He told me (privately) last weekend that he has spent approximately $8,000 out of his own pocket in the last year, just as a result of being a super-effective representative of our community. Nobody asked him to, and nobody is holding a gun to his head. He can't help being this way. He has traveled to many cities, helping with charity events, emceeing, judging and tallying results at titleholder contests, building friendships between San Diego and many other places, and CONSTANTLY helping out at as many events in San Diego as his schedule (and budget) have allowed. For the last year or so, he has been a blur on the landscape, spending half an hour at an event to show goodwill, and then racing off to the next one, regardless of whether it directly helped the leathermen's community - He has reached out to ALL parts of the community. Each time he does it, the level of Civilization rises in the world.
So, what kind of idealistic idiot would do such a thing?
Any logical, self-centered person would have no respect for somebody who has worn himself down to a nubbin just to make the larger community a better place. However, somebody who has a lot of love to share can understand. Kurt does it because he has a big, big heart.
A year or so ago, I asked Kurt to take the
Myers-Briggs personality test, which describes our "wiring" - the traits in us individually that are unchangeable.
His results showed that he is a rare kind of man (less than two percent of adult males share his personality type). Here is a quote, and it absolutely describes our Kurt:
ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it.
ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things which interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent, in that they have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their lives. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. An ENFP needs to feel that they are living their lives as their true Self, walking in step with what they believe is right. They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their lives and values to achieve inner peace. They're constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves. Since emotional excitement is usually an important part of the ENFP's life, and because they are focused on keeping "centered", the ENFP is usually an intense individual, with highly evolved values.
San Diego is blessed with a LOT of such rare, blessed men in our ranks of volunteers, leaders and titleholders. That is why we have been going through a Golden Age, and it continues along, accelerating as we proceed.
It's not random, and it's not an accident that folks like Kurt, Bryan & Mike, Eli, Nicholas, Dutch, Aaron, Adam, Anthony R. and Anthony O, Kane, David, Sam, Ray, Timothy, Michael, Mike, Bill, Daddy Don, Tom, Dan, Ray, Daniel, Everardo, Brian, Russ, Preston, Dizzy, Wayne, Cody, Will, Pup, Roadkill, Aaron, Chris, Spike, Hector, Britt, Pup Beep, Jesse, Chip, Chris, Bob, Ned, Dangelo, Sister Ida and Ian (just to name a few, off of the top of my head, and with a special shout-out to local champion Karen Yew) are showing up, setting the tone, and building a local culture of peace, friendship and abundance. If I forgot to mention your name, please forgive a forgetful old man, but tell me so that I will remember in the future.
We're all giving other agreement that being a good man, with virtues and values (versus "screw you, I've got mine" philosophy) is the best way to build a true community.
Every time that somebody like Kurt shows up, it is crucial that the rest of us give him an unambiguous message that he is loved and treasured. He's not doing it for personal glory, or to get rich, or to get laid (though I hope that he gets laid a LOT). He is being our champion, and men like him are a treasure worth acknowledging.
