Time for the monthly post
It has been a very busy month personally and professionally. I have engaged in numerous debates about the future, the past and if you can imagine.... the present, if that is possible. Anyway, I received an email a couple of days ago from a dear friend that thanked me for what I do. I replied a simple, Thank you, it means a lot coming from you. However, I have been thinking about that simple email that thanked me for my service and I have come to the conclusion that I have become a snobby bastard.
Many of my friends like to gather around when I spout off my theories about random topics, life experiences, or me just opining about nothing. One of my theories is that there is no progress of self until there is self-realization of self. Simply put in a couple of different ways: know thy heart or know your strengths and weakness and leverage them. Anyway, I have been thinking about this lately and it hit me, I have become a snob. Few people kind of understand what I have done for a living in the past, but none knew me in my prime. All they know is stories that have been embellished from me and people that knew me then. I have often said that if a man can say just once, today, this very minute, no one else in the entire world could have done this, then he is fortunate. I have experienced that feeling and it has driven me to taste it again.... and I have. However, as the physical dulls and mental sharpens you become a more humble as your drive to ascend the mountains of life becomes harder. You get it. You mature and are so thankful for the people, places and things in your life, however disconnected they are, you are appreciative. I have done that. As the very skills that have enabled me to survive and thrive began to diminish, I began to realize how absolutely grateful and blessed I actually was.
Then something happened. I don't know when it was but I began to think that I had arrived. That I was due, entitled because of my service -- a special ticket. Our society does that to us. It makes us think that we are owed a special card for our service. We are not. Men and women who serve are servants out of choice not conscription. It is our free will to raise our hand and take the oath that binds all of us. I have forgotten that. I am not due a veteran’s preference. We are not taught that. We are taught that the best man/woman wins. Your record stands on it’s own. No points for being a minority, a woman, being white.... no affirmative action.
I have been asleep at the wheel and luckily a great friend, unknowingly shook me before I crashed. I am not due anything. I am not afforded anything for my service. I am fortunate that I can proudly say that I have done what I have been asked to do for all my adult life. No regrets. No do over.
I refuse to stare in the light and be pulled into conventional thinking ever again. I am who I am because of me not because what I do. No thanks required. I said yes to... do you solemnly swear to defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Little did I know that one of those enemies was I. Never again.
Many of my friends like to gather around when I spout off my theories about random topics, life experiences, or me just opining about nothing. One of my theories is that there is no progress of self until there is self-realization of self. Simply put in a couple of different ways: know thy heart or know your strengths and weakness and leverage them. Anyway, I have been thinking about this lately and it hit me, I have become a snob. Few people kind of understand what I have done for a living in the past, but none knew me in my prime. All they know is stories that have been embellished from me and people that knew me then. I have often said that if a man can say just once, today, this very minute, no one else in the entire world could have done this, then he is fortunate. I have experienced that feeling and it has driven me to taste it again.... and I have. However, as the physical dulls and mental sharpens you become a more humble as your drive to ascend the mountains of life becomes harder. You get it. You mature and are so thankful for the people, places and things in your life, however disconnected they are, you are appreciative. I have done that. As the very skills that have enabled me to survive and thrive began to diminish, I began to realize how absolutely grateful and blessed I actually was.
Then something happened. I don't know when it was but I began to think that I had arrived. That I was due, entitled because of my service -- a special ticket. Our society does that to us. It makes us think that we are owed a special card for our service. We are not. Men and women who serve are servants out of choice not conscription. It is our free will to raise our hand and take the oath that binds all of us. I have forgotten that. I am not due a veteran’s preference. We are not taught that. We are taught that the best man/woman wins. Your record stands on it’s own. No points for being a minority, a woman, being white.... no affirmative action.
I have been asleep at the wheel and luckily a great friend, unknowingly shook me before I crashed. I am not due anything. I am not afforded anything for my service. I am fortunate that I can proudly say that I have done what I have been asked to do for all my adult life. No regrets. No do over.
I refuse to stare in the light and be pulled into conventional thinking ever again. I am who I am because of me not because what I do. No thanks required. I said yes to... do you solemnly swear to defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Little did I know that one of those enemies was I. Never again.
posted by The DCC Group at 8:32 AM
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