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Post by kings6 on Nov 23, 2017 13:43:09 GMT -5
-of when is "enough, enough?" Over the years I have had the opportunity to mentor or teach younger men in a variety of situations and one of the things I always encourage these younger men, husbands and fathers to do is to sit down with their loved ones and ask themselves this same question. So often us guys get caught up in the race for a good income, nicer home, fancier truck and larger retirement that we can lose perspective of what is really important. That is the exact question I asked my self 33 years ago when I left a nice corner office, expense account and a closet full of silk neck ties to take up a hammer and nail bag for a few years until I bought that most glamorous of businesses, a septic pumping company.
While I was going to every one of my kids ball games and getting to volunteer in their schools, my younger brother Randy was advancing his career as a law enforcement officer. He took every assignment offered, volunteered to take the tough jobs such as undercover narcotics, swat officer as the first one through the breached door and eventually swat commander and assistant chief. At the same time he was serving as the associate pastor at his church and teaching management classes and tactical classes all over the country. When he retired form the police force a couple of years ago he went full time at the church, still taught classes and became a joint owner of a start up UPS story where he served as the general manager. I could never understand all the things he had on his plate since he had enough retirement and income that if I had his, I would burn mine!
Cut to the day before yesterday when we were getting ready to travel the 5 hours to spend our first thanksgiving with him and his family and our phone buzzed and it was his wife. Randy woke up with one side of his body "just not feeling right" so they went to the hospital where he got to spend the last two days learning he had suffered a minor stroke. Thankfully by the grace of God there does not appear to be any long lasting damage and his motor function has only minor impairment and he is expected to make a full recovery allbeit with some recommended lifestyle changes. Blood pressure meds, diet and weight loss are all on the immediate agenda. Hopefully he will have a humble enough spirit to realize that the work load and stress of running a business, teaching classes and pastoring full time needs to change as well.
IN OTHER WORDS, I HOPE HE FINALLY ASKS "THE" QUESTION! During this season of thanksgiving I encourage all of us to ask that same question and to look closely at the priorities of our lives and realize all that we have to be thankful for and focus on these things. Cherish our time with friends and love ones and live a life of thankfulness.
There, end of the old mans soap box speech for the year. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving guys, you are all people that I am thankful for and unseen friends that I cherish.
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Post by dougader on Nov 23, 2017 13:53:53 GMT -5
I resigned my office job in May, Robb. I just couldn't do it anymore. I make about half of what I used to, now working at Cabela's... but I enjoy my life a lot more. We cut back and that's just fine. When 62-1/2 hits, we'll move into a small joint, maybe even an RV, and enjoy family.
I've lost 10 pounds since I started working at Cabela's. I figure I walk between 4 and 5 miles a day in that huge place!
I hope Randy comes back 100% from his stroke. It's possible, as my brother had a stroke, too, and although it took time he is back to his former self... but is still young enough to keep working to support his wife and 7 kids.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Robb, and the rest of the powder burners here.
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rWt
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Posts: 1,431
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Post by rWt on Nov 23, 2017 14:00:27 GMT -5
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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Post by sixshot on Nov 23, 2017 14:05:51 GMT -5
Hope all goes well with your brother Robb, if he's as good a man as you are then I'll say he's one he#$ of a man! Happy Holidays to all of you & yours.
Dick
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Post by lscg on Nov 23, 2017 14:08:41 GMT -5
Robb,
prayers sent for your Brother.
my plan in this life is to work just enough were I can pay the bills, put some in savings each month and buy a few guns or gun related things a year. the rest of my time will be devoted to God, Family/friends, hunting, shooting, fishing and exploring this great country God blessed us with. life is short and all you take with you are your memories and experiences.
happy thanksgiving to you and yours.
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Post by mart on Nov 23, 2017 14:29:16 GMT -5
I hope and pray your brother come through this okay.
Five years ago I was in a mid level management position as a prison supervisor. I had a corrupt and incompetent boss who made my life hell. I was starting to have some stress related symptoms (shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, panic attacks) and at one point thought I was having a heart attack. After a thorough heart workup my doc said my heart was fine and this is all stress and you need to get out of it. I took his advice. I turned in my resignation knowing I'd only collect half the pension I would have if I had stayed for 20. I took a job up here on the north slope and there is essentially no stress, I have great people working for me and great people I work for. I work two weeks on/two weeks off and while I have to be away from home for two weeks I don't have any of the stress of my former job. It was interesting that as soon as I turned in my resignation, my symptoms went away overnight.
I might actually be able to retire someday if I stayed away from this sight and all the enablers. Between the group buys for molds and the links to great guns, I'll have to work till I'm 100.
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Post by seancass on Nov 23, 2017 20:14:47 GMT -5
As a young(er) man, this stuff is frequently on my mind. When's enough, what's enough, sure it's enough today but what about tomorrow, how much happiness am I selling for pay, etc.
I hear so many horror stories, I'm thankful just to have a job and my heath. Although, I'll have to start paying more attention to that health someday soon... But my job is fine. I make money and by all accounts it's a good job. But could I find better? I dunno. For now I'll just be thankful and try to make some goals and plans for 2018...
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Post by win1894s on Nov 24, 2017 7:53:53 GMT -5
Prayers for your brother and family robb
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Post by ChiefTJS on Nov 24, 2017 9:04:45 GMT -5
I hope your brother heeds the message he's been given, Robb. I was joking with the wife the other day that every job I've taken since retiring from the Coast Guard has paid less than the one before but given me more. I recently cut my paycheck in half and went to work at the animal shelter I'd been a volunteer at, I get more out of this job than any of the ones before.
dougader-I think you picked the most stressful job of all! I'd have to face telling the wife every week that I had to sign over my whole paycheck (again).
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Post by arokcrwlr on Nov 24, 2017 15:19:54 GMT -5
Great post Robb. Prayers for your brother and family...
I hope all our brothers here had a great Thanksgiving day. Regardless of circumstance, we all have much to be thankful for.
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jsh
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Post by jsh on Nov 24, 2017 19:38:55 GMT -5
Robb, hope all works out well for your brother. As the title suggest and other above comments, this a fast old world anymore, and I can't say it is for the better. My grandpas saying, broken English being from Germany before WWI, " the hurrier I go, the more behinder I get". Oh so true.
I have never ever tried to "keep up" with others. I got stuck in a rut at a job I worked at for close to 20 years. Mediocre pay, long hours, as much stress as you would let them put on you. I worked at a steady pace, got done what I could. The thing is I liked what I was doing, who I worked for, who I worked with and a good bunch of customers.
Went through the big D, ended up with both kids. That was a major change for me. Kids came first, period. My employer was very understanding and really worked with me. Which in turn I gave even more loyalty to them. It just got to a point because of the time frame I worked seasonal and the folks under me,not was time to move on.
After my "D" something I pushed on myself. I would not allow myself to get mad. Spend the energy laughing rather than being ticked and trying to carry the load of the world. Took me a while, but it got to a point I would get upset, think about it, then laugh. I remind myself on a regular basis. Let it roll off like water on a ducks back ;-).
Everyone be safe in your holiday travels. Jeff
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Post by zeus on Nov 24, 2017 23:00:05 GMT -5
Sorry to hear this Robb. Glad he's gonna recover!! I asked myself this three years ago and I'm still working down the path. Sometimes it isn't a quick and easy process but I'm doing the best I can I travel with the family more and we spend really good quality time together now and I do everything I can to leave work behind. It's been a GREAT 2017, I can promise you that!
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Post by contender on Nov 24, 2017 23:10:50 GMT -5
Robb,,, I too want to offer my sincere thoughts & prayers for your brother.
And I do understand what you are saying. I was LUCKY that in my youth,, I was smart enough to listen to a much wiser old friend who advised me to "Live life,,, love your family, and don't waste a single day." I didn't take a normal job,,, and I didn't have as much money as many others,,, but I got along ok, but I was HAPPY. I didn't have the stresses many feel,, and I did appreciate life & my family. I was able to spend a lot of time helping my parents,,, before they passed. I can lay down at night knowing I did as much as I could for them,, and spent a lot of time with them,, letting them know I loved them. Every morning,, as Miss Penny leaves for work,, I tell her I love her & for her to be careful.At night,,, I make sure she hears it again,, that I love her. As such,, she's spoiled,,, and we are close to our kids. They see us a lot, and we make sure they hear from us a lot too. Now that I'm 59,, I can look back at my life,, knowing I've been truly blessed,,, and know that those that matter the most to me KNOW it. I do take time for them as it is important.
Let's hope your brother will step back,, look hard at his life & choose to "stop & smell the roses" all while sharing it all with the family.
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paulg
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Post by paulg on Nov 25, 2017 6:51:34 GMT -5
There you go again Robb, being all common sense like and sharing wisdom gained through experience. I will say for myself I’m worth much more dead than alive that is if my wife is interested in a lump sum payment. I figure I’m a living savings account for her. Having watched two close friends die in as many months, brought on by cancer, one being a heavy smoker the other living a clean productive life i have learned that illness and death does not discriminate. Death doesn’t care how good and clean or nasty and dirty you live your life. It is coming for us at some point. I have learned that no matter how good or how bad a day in this life my relief or reward doesn’t lie on this earth. Relief and reward will come when I’m resting in my Lord’s capable and comforting arms.
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cmh
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Post by cmh on Nov 25, 2017 11:22:07 GMT -5
Thoughts and prayers for you brother Robb.....
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