Look at yourself... first

 I am going to resist writing about the top two "Ps" of the present, the Pandemic and the Presidential debate over who won and who doesn't admit it.

Instead, after hearing a really down-to-earth speech by the actor Matthew McConaughey, I am paraphrasing my post after him speech. He called his the "13 Life Tips". I am just saying it plainly without a numbered list. I only make list if I am going to the grocery store.

As he spoke to  the graduating class of a university, people really need to look DEEP into their-selves before they can love themselves and other can love them. Again, I am spinning this off his speech, but I thought it was SO true and needed to be said again.

Life is not fair, never was, and never will be, but that does not mean you have to fold under it. Accept it, hate it, but NEVER let it beat you down! Get up and try a different route or avenue, but NEVER give up. There may be some helpful hands along the way, but YOU have to push on and only you. Don't focus on your failures. Learn from them and focus on what you did right. The choices you make on your shoulders, not anyone else. You have to live with them. When the day is over, only you can make yourself better and make good choices for tomorrow and the days after.

Define success in yourself. How do YOU define success? Money worth? Position? Friends? Family? Religion? I believe it is who I am. Take away all those things and what is left? That is who you really are. If you can walk away from that and feel good about yourself, then that my friends, that is success. The other things will automatically come to you. Make volunteerly and personal obligations to yourself like making it a point to see more of your family, friends, go to church, volunteer your time to charities and donate if you have the means.

Define 'want' and 'need". Nancy and I have had a running conversation on this topic for years. "Do I WANT it, or do I NEED it" I believe most people want things but don't necessarily need it. Do I need it to live or survive, or do I want it because 'Bill' has one, and it's cool.

Whether you win at life or lose due to your own fault is on your shoulders. Don't be afraid of life and become fearful of failure, be brave and redirect your efforts toward and clearer target. Remember, you are the author of your own life. Not your parents, not your spouse or friends or your school, YOU! 

I consider myself as an empty jar when I was born. My parents deposited a little sand in my jar and as I grew, more people, events and things deposited a little here and there. That sand contributed to who I am today. Every once in awhile, I unload some unnecessary sand or baggage in an attempt to define myself, and hopefully make myself better. The real truth about you is written by you. As Mr. McConaughey said, "All I want is what I can see - and all I see is what is in front of me." I take it, he was in front of a mirror.

Take care and stay safe.