Words, Desire, and Growth
In the past, we talked about being the best teammate — not just on the pitch, but everywhere. We said that professionalism isn’t measured by goals or assists alone, but by humility, attitude, and how you make others better. Last week, we spoke about how the gap is getting bigger, and how proud I am of the progress you’re making — in school, in football, and in your self-control.
This week, I want to build on that momentum and go a little deeper.
Not just into behaviour — but into language, desire, and understanding. Because words shape how you think, and how you think shapes how you live.
That’s why our transformational vocabulary cards matter so much.
They are not just words to memorise. They are tools — especially for improving your English, your expression, and your confidence when you speak or write. Each word gives you a sharper way to explain what’s happening inside you and around you. When your vocabulary grows, your thinking grows with it.
This week’s four words — feedback, circumvent, aspirational, and purpose — are not random. They describe exactly the stage you are in right now.
- Feedback teaches you how to listen, adjust, and improve without taking things personally.
- Circumvent reminds you that wisdom often means avoiding trouble before it starts.
- Aspirational keeps your eyes on the kind of man you want to become.
- Purpose anchors everything — giving meaning to effort, discipline, and sacrifice.
Using these words properly will help your English, yes — but more than that, they help you understand yourself.
And that brings me to the activity on the back of the card.
Entrust vs Acquire
This week, we’re asked to discuss the difference between to entrust and to acquire — and whether there is a relationship between them.
To acquire means to gain something — knowledge, skills, possessions, results. You acquire maths skills. You acquire football ability. You acquire vocabulary as you learn and practise.
To entrust, however, is different. To entrust means to be given responsibility for something valuable. It involves trust. When someone entrusts you with something, they believe you are capable of looking after it.
Here’s the relationship between the two:
You acquire skills and knowledge —
so that you can be entrusted with greater responsibility.
As your behaviour improves, you are entrusted with more freedom.
As your discipline grows, you are entrusted with more opportunity.
As your character develops, you are entrusted with leadership.
Right now, you are acquiring good habits — and because of that, trust is growing. That is another sign that the gap is getting bigger.
Desire Beneath It All
This connects to something deeper too — your desires.
There’s an ancient thinker named St. Augustine, one of the most influential voices in Christian thought. In his book Confessions, he reflected on his youthful mistakes — chasing pleasure, pride, and success — until he realised something profound:
“Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord.”
That’s it, son.
At the heart of every distraction, every argument, every wasted hour — is desire. The restless heart wants something. Sometimes it’s approval. Sometimes it’s comfort. Sometimes it’s control.
Desire itself isn’t bad. It’s God-given. You’re meant to want things — to improve, to win, to become better. But unless desire is guided by purpose, it can pull you in the wrong direction.
Augustine realised that not all desires are equal:
- Some lift you
- Some drain you
- Some free you
- Some trap you
Wanting to be great at football? Good desire.
Wanting to improve your English and express yourself better? Good desire.
Wanting shortcuts, praise without effort, or control in arguments? Misplaced desire.
The Maths Moment Revisited
Think back to the maths moment we spoke about many weeks ago — when pride crept in and tension followed. That situation wasn’t really about maths. It was about desire.
You wanted to be right.
I wanted to be heard.
If we had paused and asked, “What do I really want here — to be right, or to get it right?” the outcome could have been different. That’s what growth looks like: learning to align desire with truth, not ego and the look on your face when I told you “ You topped your class in Maths” said it all. This is just the beginning son.
Discipline, Words, and the Professional Mindset
In football, the best players discipline their desires. They don’t chase what feels good in the moment — they focus on what builds mastery.
It’s the same with words, learning, and character.
Use the transformational vocabulary cards seriously. Speak the words. Write with them. Ask questions about them. That’s how your English improves — not by avoiding mistakes, but by engaging with language confidently.
Desire must serve purpose.
Emotion must serve focus.
Talent must serve discipline.
The Takeaway
So this week, reflect on this:
- What am I trying to acquire — and am I becoming someone who can be entrusted with more?
- Are my desires leading me closer to who I’m meant to be?
- Am I just trying to look like a professional — or learning to think and live like one?
Mind the gap, son.
It’s widening because you’re growing.
Keep using your words.
Keep shaping your desires.
Keep walking with purpose.
With love,
Dad
