Olive Branch Optimism
what a wonderful world...
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Am reading AnaRki13's blog at the moment, will do a review on it on the Bloggers Blog of Blogs in the coming days, because I think it is excellent.

AnaRki13's blog address: http://come-getsome.blogspot.com/

Here is some advice he was given on his blog, wise words that we can all relate to- enjoy.

thank you for enlightening me, Papa Ray..

" Well, I am almost 70 years of age, I am a Texan, an American and I am against violence also.
I have first hand experience with violence.
As a child, I was picked on and put upon almost every day because I was small for my age. Growing up I was in many fights, just to try and protect myself, not by choice.
When I was 17 my Dad was killed by a man who was drunk (later was ruled insane)and it killed my mother with grief a year and half later.
I joined the US Army at that time, for valid reasons I thought at that time. I had a few good years of serving in a peace time army. Then came along the famous Viet Nam "Conflict". It was not even a "War". By that time I had a lot of training and had made it to a "Non-Com" rank and was in charge of a squad of soldiers.
We killed in order not to be killed. We didn't kill any women or children or old people, but we saw many killed by our Air Force. Bombing is an equal opportunity killer. It took me many years to get my head straight from that little "conflict". It taught me that violence only brings more violence.
But as long as the world is how it is, violence will be a large part of it, no matter how many hate it.
I won't bore you with my war stories and of my problems or accomplishments. But I do want to give you some truths that I have learned over my long life.
Take them or leave them, your choice.
You have to stand for something or you will amount to nothing.
Being opposed to violence is good, but you must protect yourself and yours from violence however and whenever you must.
You can not protect yourself and yours if you depend just on the "authorities". You must be prepared to do it yourself.
If you want the good things in life, you must be ready and able to pay for them. This does not mean with just money.
If you are faced with problems in your life, depending on others to solve or take care of them will result in you not only still having the problems but thinking less of yourself.
Here is a few other things I've learned:
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about 30 minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.
I've learned that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do and how they react to it.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartaches for life.
I've learned that no matter how you feel about it, there are always two sides to everything.
I've learned that it's taking me a much longer time to become the person I should be, and I'm running out of time.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think, but not a smart thing to do, unless your talking about driving.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words, It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep on going and doing long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter what the circumstances.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you and if you let it control you, you are going to have big problems.
I've learned that life can be as hard on you as you make it, poor decisions, no planning and a bad attitude will make it that way.
I've learned that heroes are people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that learning to forgive takes a lot of practice.
I've learned that there are people who love you, but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that some people will be your friend only as long it is to their benefit.
I've learned that money and material things is a false way of determining self worth.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship is very hard to come by and the same goes double for true love.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you.
I've learned that no matter how much I want something, it won't matter to others.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've had.
I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely, few things are more cruel, and how awful it would be if they really believed you.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend you think someone is, the only real way to find out is when you need them.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief or even care.
I've learned that our background and experiences may influence who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
I've learned that sometimes you have to put the person ahead of their actions.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only a little while to destroy it.
I've learned that the more we try to teach our children, the less they seem to learn.
I've learned that you shouldn't always be so eager to find out the truth. It could hurt.
I've learned that the clothes I like best are the ones with the most holes in them.
I've learned that words said in haste and anger hurt everybody and help no one.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that really counts.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same situation and see something totally different.
I've learned that people with a little religion are almost more narrow minded than those with a lot.
I've learned that people who don't read and learn will stay ignorant and narrow minded.
I've learned that even if you don't agree with someone, you should listen to their viewpoint.
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is love them.
I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will get hurt and you will hurt also.
I've learned that your life can be changed forever in a matter of minutes by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, if your child needs you, you will find a way and means to help. But sometimes helping too much is really a hindrance.
I've learned that prior planning prevents piss poor performance.
I've learned that even with prior planning, unexpected things will always happen.
I've learned that if your going to do something, give it all your effort, do the very best that you can.
I've learned that even if something awful happens to you, you can always learn something from it.
I've learned that sometimes happiness is right in front of you but you can't see it.
I've learned that credentials on the wall doesn't mean they know what the hell they're talking about.
I've learned that the people you care most about in life are always taken away from you too soon.
I've learned that I should have taken better care of myself, but I wasn't smart enough at the time.
I've learned that someone can love you, but not be in love with you.
I've learned that it's hard to to decide between not hurting people and standing up for what you believe is right.
I've learned that the more you love someone, the more you can hurt them.
I've learned that the more you love someone, the more they can hurt you.
I've learned that the more I learn, the more I seem not to know.
Anyway, at your age (I know because,believe it or not, I was your age once), you know everything and ol' folks don't know shit, but I just wanted to pass on some things that I learned the hard way.
Live long and prosper !
This is my post
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA"

Thank you again, wise man.. I am in your debt.
13

posted by AnaRki13 @ Thursday, December 09, 2004