Respect; A Two Way Street

March 23, 2018 / doubledacres / 8 Comments

“People have different reasons for the way they live their lives. You cannot put everyone’s reasons in the same box.” – Kevin Spacey

Drag races in Bonne Terre, MO.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone had the same likes and dislikes? I would think the world would be a very boring place. Everyone would be driving the same kind of car, eat the same kind of food and wearing the same clothes. Being different and unique can be a good thing though and sometimes a bad thing.

Behind every person is a reason as to why they like the things they do or the life style they choose to live. Something, somewhere, one day (or week, month, year) happened that influenced a person to take that first step onto the path of life they wanted to live. Now you and I may not agree with the path they choose but Newsflash cupcake! It doesn’t matter because that individual has their rights too.

If we don’t respect the beliefs and ways of others how can we expect them to respect ours? I see a lot of that in today’s world. Why can’t we learn to agree to disagree? There’s no good guy, there’s no bad guy, there is just two people who believe differently for different reasons. No one is right and no one is wrong. Let’s quit arguing and fighting. Debate is good as long as it is in good form. It can even be healthy.

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” U Thant

One of the biggest problems that I see is when someone tells me I have to respect their way of thinking then shows no respect to my beliefs. For instance you don’t like dogs, I respect that and I won’t bring my dog to your house and I won’t force you to like my dog. So don’t come to my house and tell me I am going to have to get rid of my dogs and accept your way of thinking because you don’t like dogs.

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My dog Kate

Respect, like common sense used to be common. Now days neither one are. I don’t know when or how it happened but it did. Respect is an integral part of every day life whether we want to admit or not. I hope one day respect and common sense make a come back.

“When was it that men agreed to respect the appearance and not the reality?” – Henry David Thoreau

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and a big thank you to those of you who follow me. Remember to share the love.

One Hole or Two

March 10, 2018 / doubledacres / 13 Comments

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If you use Facebook I am sure you have seen this before. If you have used one you are going to know where I am coming from but if you have not I may be hard to follow.

My story begins in Lafe, Arkansas in the 50s. My grandparents had a farm located here. They lived in an old farmhouse with out running water and ………NO BATHROOM! Yep you heard me right, no bathroom.

Now it just so happens that they did have an outhouse. Because of their glamorous aroma, especially in the hot weather months, the outhouse was located some distance from the house. Did I mention that it didn’t have electric in it. Anyway ours wasn’t just any old outhouse. No siree! It was a genuine two hole privy. Not just one hole by two! Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit, we were styling.

Or were we. Now if you have never seen a two hole privy let me tell ya, the holes ain’t that far apart and there is no divider or stall like you see in the public bathrooms today. Nope, just two holes cut in a piece of wood. However my grandpa had installed a couple of real toilet seats which added some comfort. Now for the life of me I can not, CAN NOT, imagine two people sitting there, that close together, beside each other having their morning bowel movement. I read that back and it even sounds sick. I don’t ever recall seeing two people coming out of the outhouse together. One hole would have been enough.

Grandparents old house.

Now when I was knee high to a grasshopper I became acquainted with my grandma’s tom turkey. Now he had somehow figured out that I was terrified of him. Now in my defense, if you have never seen an old tom all puffed up and strutting his stuff and coming at you don’t pass judgement on me. I am here to tell ya that will scare the devil out of you especially when you are only 5.

Now every time I had to go to the bathroom that old tom would be between me and the outhouse. I need to explain something at this point. When a guy is headed for the outhouse that can only mean one thing because there were plenty of trees to tinkle behind. Ok now that I explained that, when you have had a big plate of biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast time is of the essence. It is dangerous to be playing around at this time.

Another view of the old farmhouse.

My grandparents got running water in 1970. All the kids, there were nine, chipped in and had a well drilled for them. Then five years later my uncle and I put a bathroom in the old farmhouse for them. I remember one visit in the summer not long after we installed the bathroom, I saw grandma grab the TP and head for the barn (outhouse had finally succumbed to gravity). I asked her why she didn’t use the bathroom and she said it was too “purty” to mess up. That winter when I was down visiting and the snow was whirling she used the inside bathroom. I guess the bathroom wasn’t that “purty after all.

I had a lot of fun on the farm. I wish my son would have been able to experience some of the things that happened on the farm. It was a great time in my life that I will always cherish and Grandma White, well she was a saint and the sweetest person you ever met.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I hoe you enjoyed it. Remember share the love.

Nature: The Healer

February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 / doubledacres / 7 Comments

Big River

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

I have always been drawn to nature ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I have always had the opportunity to get lost in the allure of nature and fill my mind and spirit with its serenity. I am truly blessed.

I truly wish that everyone could have a chance to immerse themselves in nature for one week. No outside interferences and primitive camping only. I really think it would change peoples lives. Nature has a way of taking all the negativity you have accumulated and shed it from your inner being. If you decide you want to do this sometime, I have put together a little something I hope will make it a pleasurable experience for you.

A Guide To Help You Find Yourself

You need a place to camp. I recommend using state campgrounds in conservation areas. They usually have walking trails. Some have creeks, rivers and lakes in them which add to your “things to do list”. Fishing, kayaking and canoeing become available for you to use. They make it easy to get lost in nature.

If you are serious about finding yourself, I recommend primitive camping because, in a way it brings us back to the ways of our ancestors. No electric. No running water. No TV! Wow, I heard a lot of moans then. It really is a humbling experience. It will make you appreciate a lot of things in your life. Go by yourself. Make sure you practice meditation during your time in nature. It is the perfect venue to use mediation for cleansing your soul, mind and spirit. A good book doesn’t hurt either. Now I am not talking A Thousand Shades of Purple or Yearnings of a Desperate Housewife/Husband. Maybe a self-help book, philosophical, spiritual and thought provoking.

Camp on 12/16/2017

Camp 12/16/2017

Cook your own meals. If you don’t like cooking there are some really delicious MREs on the market. The object of this week long camping trip is to be able to live within your own little world for the whole week so that you won’t be distracted by outside influences or ideas. This time is to be used for you to find yourself. Tame your demons and deal with the skeletons in your closet that seem to be holding you back to achieve your dreams. A good time to evaluate yourself and where you are at in your life.

“Walk in nature and feel the healing power of trees.” Anthony William

Sunrise

Get up before dawn and sit in solitude and watch the sunrise and the beginning of a new day. Listen carefully as the wildlife begins their day. Get lost in the sun as it rises in the east and let your imagination run wild. Track your thoughts and feelings in your journal so that you will have it to remind you of that morning when you are back at the daily grind.

Sunset

Then an hour before sunset make your way to some place you can watch the sunset as your day comes to an end. In the solitude absorb all the things that happened that day. Be sure to add them to your journal. As the sun slips into the west listen to all the new sounds of the forest as the fingers of daylight recede and succumb to the darkness. Hear the coyote howling in the distance as the symphony of crickets began their night of music. Relax and enjoy and clear your mind. Let the serenity of the night lull you into a peacefulness that is hard to explain. Once you feel it you will never think the same.

In closing I would like to say I am a realist and know that not everyone would be comfortable in this setting. If you like the idea and never experienced it please by all means go for it. You won’t be sorry and you will be a new person. You will appreciate more in life and you will like yourself better.

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Thanks for reading. If you have never done this and do take up the adventure please let me know what you thought about indulging in such an undertaking. Don’t forget to spread the love.

Bad Mood Not Allowed

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 / doubledacres / 8 Comments

Big River near Leadwood, MO

” Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them. It depends on the mood of the man whether he shall see sunset or the fine poem.” –Essays and Poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson “Experience”

According to Merriam-Webster mood is a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion. Emerson shares with us his thought that what a person sees is dependent upon what type of mood one happens to be entertaining at the time. A thought that after thinking about it, I find to hold a lot of truth.

How many times have we cheated ourselves out of a breath taking sunset simply because our mood wasn’t right? Now I won’t argue the fact that if your mind is in the right place a beautiful sunset can change your mood if you allow it to but it doesn’t always happen that way.

I remember a time in my life that I had went camping with a group that everyone there seemed to put a capital “n” in negativity. Sitting around the campfire that first night I knew I was in trouble. I honestly can’t remember any of them saying something positive. I let it infect me and my mood was horrible. I didn’t get one good photo that weekend. I was definitely not on my best game. I didn’t really realize until sometime later how much your mood can dictate the quality of your photography, painting, writing etc..

Big River near Leadwood, MO.

The two photos were taken by me in the summer of 2017. They are pics of the same rock formation taken from different angles. You look at it from different angles you get different views. You see different details. It is like looking at something in a good mood or a bad mood. There are going to be things that don’t look the same. This applies to life also, not just to your creative abilities.

I don’t care who you are but when you are in a bad mood and have to make a decision, ninety percent of the time it is going to be a bad decision. For those of you who have lived with someone that has excessive, erratic mood swings, you know how much moods effect life AND you know how miserable they can be and you.

Picture Of catch by my friend David.

Same photo as above but unedited.

So if you would, imagine your moods like the filters I used with this photo. Your mood decides what kind of day you are going to have just like the filter I used decides how colorful the fish is going to be. I hope everyone is understanding what I am saying because moods are very instrumental in what kind of day you are going to have.

So remember when you get up in the morning and get that first cup of coffee in you, that it is time to start getting in that “good mood” you need to make your day enjoyable. Tell yourself this is your day and no one is capable of messing it up unless you let them. Put that smile on your face that is going to be greeting people all day long. Clear yourself of any negativity. Now go back to bed and say the hell with it! JUST KIDDING! Now put your big boy or girl panties on and go out into the world and ……… “Be happy, don’t worry, cause when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down”……….

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love.

The Sexual Abuse of Our Children

February 10, 2018February 17, 2018 / doubledacres / 10 Comments

“Child abuse and neglect offend the basic values of our state. We have a responsibility to provide safe settings for at-risk children and facilitate permanent placement for children who cannot return home.” – Matt Blunt

This is a subject that is hard for me to write about but when our congressional leaders use such a sensitive subject for their political agenda it pisses me off. Larry Nassar is a POS and I hope he rots in hell for his atrocities. My heart goes out to those individuals who have had their lives devastated by this monster. I do not mean any disrespect to those victims with my following rant and I hope they understand that. Let the rant begin.

According to news reports, Senator Dianne Feinstein met with seven victims of Larry Nassar’s abuse. According to InStyle (February 5, 2018) the senator said it was one of the most emotional and disturbing meetings she ever had. They spoke for over an hour about what had happened to them and how USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University, and the adults charged with protecting them failed at every turn.

Well the senator promised a bill that would protect them. (Note: sexual abuse of a minor is all ready illegal in this country) The senator kept her word and a bill was passed.

It addresses the patchwork of state reporting laws, making it mandatory for anyone affiliated with any national governing body or amateur sports organization that crosses state lines to report sexual abuse to local and federal law enforcement or social service agencies (all over worked, understaffed and underpaid) within 24 hours. This requirement would apply to USA Gymnastics and each of the other 46 national governing bodies that oversee a variety of Olympic sports. It would also apply to college athletics. (InStyle) (Wow just wow! You all are geniuses I tells ya. You have saved our athletes. God Bless you! Got a question for you all though. How about these children? What did you do for them?In 2013 one in nine girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experienced sexual abuse or assault. Eighty percent of the perpetrators were a parent, and 47,000 were men and 5,000 were women.Let me enlighten you with these numbers, according to the National Statistics on Child Abuse, in 2015 an estimated 683,000 children (unique) incidents were victims of abuse and neglect. Nearly 700,000 children are abused in the US annually. Children’s Advocacy Centers served more than 311,000 children around the country in 2015. Two-thirds of children served disclosed sexual abuse (205,438).
Clarifies that victims of child sex crimes can recover from their perpetrators statutory damages of up to $150,000 as well as punitive damaged due to the heinous nature of the rime against them. It further extends the statute of limitations so it doesn’t begin to run until victims realize they’ve been abused. (InStyle)
Reforms the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, which established “national governing bodies”, like USA gymnastics. Congress chartered all of these entities, but the original law did not specify their obligations to ensure that athletes have protections against child abuse, including sexual abuse. This bill fixes that. It requires the newly created U.S. Center for Safe Sport to establish strict policies for preventing abuse and procedures to make sure every governing body would be required to implement policies to make sure minor athletes are not alone with adults. (InStyle)

“Most children who survive into adulthood always have a lingering question that commonly arises as to why there is very little support for the child abuse survivor.” – Patricia Dsouza, When Roses are Crushed

Well golly gee. All of you in congress should be proud. Stand up and take a bow! NOT!!!!!!! All you managed to do was add more laws that will do absolutely nothing, nada, zilch, to stop anyone hell bent on doing it anyway. Murder. I do believe it is against the law but let me tell you geniuses now (you all really do live in your own little world) that law ain’t slowed nobody down. You all are good at adding laws that existing laws all ready cover but you refuse to give money and manpower to help fight the fight.

So to all the congressional leaders and President Trump, this my plea to you. Wake up! These children need protecting too. No more laws are needed. We just need to start enforcing the existing laws and agencies to stop it. There needs to be more funding and manpower added to all the social worker agencies across the U.S.. They also need to be hooked up with mental health providers so that the mental scars can be addressed. Sooooo, please put your party differences aside and begin acting like adults and address the non-athletes. They need you. Please help them. / Signed Statistic

Don’t forget to spread the love.

A New Dawn

February 10, 2018February 10, 2018 / doubledacres / 8 Comments

Sunrise

BUZZ! BUZZ! Time to get up. You roll over and turn off the alarm and lay there for a couple of minutes clearing your mind and trying to get a course for what you have to do today. Ok you have it figured out so you head for the john to drain the fluids from your bursting bladder.

Now you are standing at the sink washing your hands and you look in the mirror. Then these words come to mind’

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I am asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and make a change

Who is that man/woman in the mirror that you are looking at? Is he/she happy? Is he/she where he/she wants to be in life? When is the last time he/she really enjoyed life? Does he/she believe in him/herself? Does he believe in him/herself?

If you don’t believe in yourself then it really doesn’t matter what the answers were to the other questions. If you want to succeed and enjoy a happy and fulfilled life you have to believe in yourself. You the man/woman! You are in charge! Grab the day by the horns and make it YOUR day.

Ok now look in the mirror and tell that person in the mirror, This is your day and no one is going to PP on your parade. Any and all negativity is no longer allowed. If the day is ruined it will be because you were weak and let it happen. Whose life is it? Your life. Do you believe? Yes! In what? ME!!!!! I can’t hear you! MEEEEEE!!!

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

So now you believe in yourself. Good on you. That is where it starts. Now to maintain the road of happiness. Most folks now a days try to find happiness through material things.

‘Cause the boy with the cold hard cash

Is always Mister Right, ’cause we are

Living in a material world

And I am a material girl,

You know that we are living in a material world

And I am a material girl – Madonna Material Girl

Be still. Listen real close. Hear that? Ba-beat, ba- beat, ba-beat. That is your heart beating within you. Giving you life. Pumping the essence of life through your veins so that you may enjoy life. This is where you will find true happiness. Within yourself. You don’t need that new boat, new car, new dress, new golf clubs, etc.. No siree. You need a soft, gentle, caring heart. A heart that cares about others.

“Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” – Carol Burnett

If you don’t believe in yourself, and feel you need to change the direction of your walk in life, look no further than inside yourself. There you will find the answers to “you”.

Don’t forget to “spread the love”.

Sunset

I would Like To Teach………..

January 30, 2018 / doubledacres / 6 Comments

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Photo by Kasuma from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/alone-boulders-idyllic-looking426893/

When you look at the picture above what do you see? Do you see someone that appears to be a loner or do you see someone that appears to be a person who enjoys nature and sunrises? It is impossible to form a true opinion without knowing a little more about the person and the situation.

We seem to be living in a society that is quick to criticize and very judgemental. We don’t seem to need all the facts and, the “truth”, …… well that is purely optional. We seem to care less whether we destroy someone’s reputation or creditability. We don’t hesitate to destroy one’s self esteem with a wag of our tongue. What changed and why have we turned into a heartless society? It seems that the media doesn’t care if their story is true or factual, they just want to be the first to print or air it.

Photo by Neale LaSalle from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/astronomy-comet-constellation-cosmos-631477/

“The only measure of judging a human being is through that person’s character, because is not determined by race, religion, gender or social status. And one who recognizes this simple fact of human life behaves the same with the scientist, the janitor and the sex worker.” – Abhijit Naskar Human Making is Our Mission: A Treatise on Parenting (Humanism Series)

My Grandma Bobbie told me a lot of things through the years but I think the smartest thing she ever told me was , “if you can’t say something nice about someone then just don’s say nothing at all.” Those I believe are such true words to live by. Native Americans said, “don’t judge me until you have walked a mile in my moccasins.”

You ever wonder how different things would be if we looked at people through our hearts instead of our eyes? How many possible friendships have you lost because the person was obese, nerdy, ugly, backwards, etc.? The reason I labeled them possible is because 99% of the time you probably walked away with out giving them a chance. It happens and you know it.

So you are at a party and you see this person sitting there all by themselves. Your first thought is why are they by themselves. Then the chatter of the grape vine starts around the room and it isn’t giving the person any good reviews. Do you ignore them or do you try and get to know them. News Flash!!!!!! Hearsay isn’t all that reliable and other people’s opinions are nothing more than a manifestation derived from jealousy or egotistical action. Take the time to strike up a quality conversation and listen to them. You never know, you might just find your new “bestest” friend in the world. Take a chance.

So your mission today (should you decide to accept it) is to start learning to put aside the appearance and look into that person’s heart. That is where you are going to find what truly makes this person who they are. It may be the last time you ever see them. Then again one of you may inspire the other to do something great! You had the idea in your head but you needed a nudge and that person might just be the inspiration you needed. There are so many possibilities that something might come out of it but if you don’t interact with that person you will never know.

Photo provided by Pexel

The sun will rise in the east in the morning and a new day will begin. Treat people like you like to be treated and for once let us try and get along for a change. Learn to look at a person through their heart. Listen to your heart and not other people’s opinions.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love.

They Are Family

January 26, 2018 / doubledacres / 22 Comments

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My ride dog and companion, Kate.

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner

One thing that I can not wrap my feeble little mind around is how can people abuse animals? How can folks just give an old dog to a shelter and then they have the nerve to replace them with a new puppy. It breaks my heart when I see this happen. Folks whether you believe it or not animals do have feelings.

Kate suffered from crystals in her urine and she had to have hip surgery when she was a year old. After surgery she slept on the couch and I slept on the floor beside her. From that time on she was my dog. She did her best not to let me out of her sight. She went everywhere with me and since I am a farrier she was my ride dog. She loves riding “shotgun” and loves to watch the road.

Kate takes riding “shotgun” seriously.

Kate after surgery and her “jammies”.

Kate chilling after surgery.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings

My dad never liked dogs and still doesn’t to this day. He just turned 84 so I guess it is pretty safe to say he probably never will. I know they aren’t for everyone but there is no reason on earth to abuse them.

Just imagine, you are 6 years old and your dad puts you in the car and off you go. After awhile you don’t recognize the area you are traveling in and it appears to be in the country and it is raining. Finally in a very secluded place your dad stops the car and gets outside. He opens your door and he grabs you by the hand and leads you over to a log and tells you to sit down. Then he walks back to the car, gets in it and drives off. Leaving you there all alone, in a strange place and you are scared.

Now don’t give me that BS that I am comparing apples to oranges. I am not. Both are alive, confused, scared and broken hearted. Neither have done anything to be treated this way. Thousands of animals are dumped each year just because their owner doesn’t want them anymore. Maybe I went a little overboard trying to get my point across but animals do have feelings.

Soooooo, if you are thinking about getting a pet remember that they have feelings and would like a forever home and they are a member of the family. Please, if you can’t accept this then get a “Pet Rock”.

For the cat lovers out there.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Hope you enjoyed it. Remember to spread the love!

Who Is To Blame?

January 23, 2018January 23, 2018 / doubledacres / 10 Comments

The pic above pretty much says it all about me. Keep it simple. Can’t say I know many people the age of 63 who would camp this way especially the weekend before Christmas in the state of Missouri.

Today’s blog is going to be kind of a rant about some of the things happening in our society today here in the good ole USA. I watched in horror as an older gentleman chewed out the cashier over the price of gasoline and this little Tasmanian Devil went off in my head. We are a nation of complainers but when it comes right down to it we, as a whole, will do absolutely nothing about it. By the way, I did tell the man where the bear poopoos in the woods.

Folks, who sets the prices in this country? If you said corporations, wrong! The market sets the prices. Who is the market? John Q Public, in other words you and I. Corporations put prices on the product and if we don’t buy the product they will have to lower the price or pull it. For example, remember those spinner things that were all the rave? Kids all wanted one and they were paying $10.00 for them. The companies made money hand over fist because we bought them at those ridiculous prices. Now the market is completely saturated so you can now buy that same spinner for$2.50. Once again Americans were fleeced. Why? Because we didn’t dig our heels in and say “NO”.

Gasoline costs. Folks are always complaining about the prices. Newsflash Twinkletoes, have you did anything to reduce your travel? If folks would reduce their driving and gas consumption the gas companies would be forced to drop the prices so they could sell it.

Look at the price of new vehicles. 2018 Dodge 350 with a diesel. $38,000 to $50,000! New homes $350,000 to $750,000. We just keep on buying them. Going deeper and deeper in debt. Then we have to have that $75,000 camper. But why? To keep up with the Jones’es or to act like we are someone of importance?

Growing up I remember camping and there were dozens of tent campers. I went to a state park back in the fall of 2017 and camped in my tent and there were maybe 6 tent campers and 20 camping trailers. I am here to tell ya those trailers were first class with all the pleasures of home. The price of tents are pretty reasonable but those campers, well you better bring the big checkbook.

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” – Abraham Lincoln

I seem to be all over the place here but what I am trying to get across to folks is you have to accept the responsibility of the prices you are paying. Oh, price gouging is real but if you don’t buy the item they can’t gouge you now can they? Do you have to have that camper with three built in televisions, satellite, built in butt wiper, etc.?

Supply and demand rules. As long as you demand that $10 beer at the stadium, they are going to charge you $10. Gasoline supplies get low and you keep buying it, it is going to go up because the demand is greater than the supply. Maybe it is time for consumers to stick together and help determine a little better pricing on some of the products we use in this country. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I hope it made sense to you. Spread the love.

Growing Up!!!!

January 13, 2018 / doubledacres / 3 Comments

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Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

The year was 1964. We were one out away from winning first place. The count was 2 and 2 with a runner on third, score tied 1 to 1, and the bottom of the ninth, when “bam” the batter hits the ball over second base and our dream of winning the championship is crushed. There were eight teams in our division and only first and second place got trophies. Unlike today not everyone got trophies.

We failed. We tasted failure. Looking back on that time in my life, I remember how we all became closer and how we vowed to work harder. We were hell bent on improving our skills and becoming champions. In 1965 our dream came to fruition.

The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but rising every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have spent a lot of hours through the year thinking about this and I believe in my heart that failure is the reason we became champions. It built character and made us work harder. It didn’t scar us for life or fill us with low self esteem.

We didn’t get participation trophies. We earned them. I think the big difference between now and back then is that the “family unit” was a lot stronger and more endeared. Don’t get me wrong, we were a long way from perfect. I remember fathers that just gave their child hell if they lost. Losing wasn’t an option. These are the actions that were detrimental to childhood development. It wasn’t the losing that caused the problems, it was bad parenting. Parents that wouldn’t take the time to teach their children that it wasn’t wrong to lose. That it happened. It was an integral part of life whether we wanted it or not.

At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your success and your failure. And the sooner you realize that, you accept that, and integrate that into your work ethic, you will start being successful. As long as you blame others for the reason you aren’t where you want to be, you will always be a failure.” – Erin Cummings

Maybe I am just an antiquated, set in his ways, old man but I truly believe it is time to go back to the “olden days” and teach children what failure is and how to use it in their favor. No, everybody doesn’t get a trophy for participating, you have to earn it.

Then we need to teach them the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. That they are in charge of writing their “Book of Life” and they decide what is going in it. Teach them that “failure” can actually be a good thing. We also have to teach them how to cope with failure and how to use it to their advantage.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate you taking the time. I hope you enjoyed it. Spread the love.