Posted on 05/18/2008 7:46:21 AM PDT by McLynnan
By Ted Nugent, Texas Wildman
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Gather 'round, boys and girls, and listen closely. What I am about to tell you will help you immensely throughout the rest of your lives if you commit to practicing and living your Uncle Ted's proven modus operandi for quality of life.
You won't get this ironclad and loving advice in a classroom or from a textbook. Sadly, some of you will not have received this advice from even your parents. Here goes:
* Nobody owes you a thing. Nothing. Everything you will get out of life will only be based on what you put into it. Period.
The only free lunches are at the homeless shelter. If you want to dance, you have to pay the band.
If you work real hard at your favorite craft, you ultimately will succeed. A work ethic is the path to a rewarding life.
If you are paid a dollar, give your employer $10 worth of effort in return. Doing so will ensure you will always be gainfully employed.
If you are lazy, expect to be fired over and over again, no matter how smart or gifted you are.
* Find your passion, something you crave. Set a goal and never quit. Always push yourself harder. Walk through or over anyone who dares to tell you that you can't do something.
Avoid negative people. Surround yourself with positive people who will mentor, help and guide you honestly.
* Never miss an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women in our military and law enforcement. They are the defenders of freedom and are putting their lives on the line for you to reach your American Dream.
* Don't wait for someone else to motivate you. The best person for that job is you. Do it often.
* You will be tested constantly. Life is going to knock you down over and over again. The only person who is ever defeated is the person who gets floored with one of life's massive upper cuts and fails to get back up. Be tough and tenacious. It feels good.
* Never do anything just for money. Do what you do exceedingly well and thoroughly enjoy, and money will come looking for you.
* If you want to know how others perceive you, look around at who you associate with.
* In the end, all you have is your character and integrity. Do not ever compromise or sell them.
No one trusts a liar, most of all other liars.
* Do not complain. Any soulless whiner can do that. Instead, look for solutions to tough problems. This will earn you the respect of your boss.
* Do not be afraid to take chances and blaze new trails. Get in the arena where the dust is swirling and blood, sweat and tears pour forth. That is where the action is. Do not miss out.
* Engage life with unbridled passion. March to the beat of making your own statement. Those who follow trends and conform to peer pressure are mindless sheep and never happy.
* Be intelligently defiant. Defiance is the very spirit that gave birth to this country when our forefathers declared independence and fired the "shot heard round the world."
* Remember Rosa Parks. Be prepared to defy stupidity wherever you find it. It is your duty and responsibility as an American to let your voice be heard. Stand up against idiotic, illogical laws and restrictions. Raise hell. Vote smart.
* If you have not made a few well deserving idiots angry by the time you are 25, get busy. We live in a target rich environment of liberal denial. Drive idiots loony. It is much fun, quite easy and is still legal in all 50 states.
* Stand up for what you believe in. Remain polite and courteous, but never back down.
* You have an obligation to leave America in better shape than when you arrived. Work to ensure that future generations have a better shot at the American Dream, more freedom, more liberty and more pursuits of happiness than what you did.
* Trust your gut feelings. They will not steer your wrong. Only trust people who have earned your trust. Never trust the French.
* Take the time each day to show love and affection for your family and loved ones. The smallest gesture goes straight to the heart. A good life is maximized when shared with the ones you love.
* Don't keep discomforting things and thoughts bunched up inside. The only way to resolve conflicts is to tackle them right way without inhibitions. Don't worry about hurting feelings. Everyone benefits from open, honest discussions. There are no stupid questions.
* Aim small, miss small.
Have fun. Life is not a dress rehearsal.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television show host. Contact him directly at tednugent.com.
Would you please change the year in the title to 2008? Fingers not working yet today. Thanks.
Grizzled Bear — Forward to your Metal Ping List!
Check out this thread:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Rock/Pop Musicians Who Turn 60 This Year!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2017046/posts?q=1&;page=1#1
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY, TED NUGENT!
Sage advice indeed.
Nugent is saying exactly what our CONSERVATIVE politicians (if there were still such a thing anymore) should be saying - should be shouting from the rooftops! Americans are starving for such truths.
I wish he’d go into politics - I’d vote for him.
* Never do anything just for money. Do what you do exceedingly well and thoroughly enjoy, and money will come looking for you.
I go to work every day for money. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my work, but I'd give it up in a heart beat if I didn't need the money... As far as doing something that I "thoroughly enjoy" and happen to do "exceedingly well," I haven't figured out a way to "make money come looking for me" if my job was taking naps, watching movies, and being generally lazy. Nothing's really coming to me on that career path.
Of course, that's what I'm hoping for once I retire, in about another 20 years, after having put in about 45 years of 60 - 80 hour weeks.
Mark
I have to say I pretty much agree with all of this. Strongly.
* watching movies
Freelance movie critic, just to get your career underway.
LOL
you're still my favorite FR centerfold
Uncle Ted—please come home, Michigan needs you as governor!
Heehee......... * Blushing *
This is good and timely for me. And for my son who will graduate from high school tomorrow. God gives us talents and desires to use those talents for a reason. We can’t always know or understand those reasons, even though we often think we should or we need to understand. Sometimes people can start thinking that they’re some kind of “Assistant Manager” to God. That only interferes with His ability to use us as “tools”. I hope to learn to be a useful shovel, hammer or saw. “Assistant Managers” always have to worry and fret over what others are going to do and when. A tool just rests in the shed until it’s time to be used and doesn’t have to worry about what the other tools may or may not be doing. The other thing here which is important to note is how many others in this world are more than enthusiastic in their efforts to tell a person how things “can’t be done”. I’ve fallen for that one myself.
Not one mention yet of Ted’s draft experience.
Well one. :-)
Are you sure you're not my twin brother? I say the same thing. I'm looking to switch careers, the one I'm in is no longer enjoyable nor is it paying enough to be enjoyable. I can't enjoy my work if I can't get paid enough to enjoy my life OUTSIDE of work. Like you, I have yet to find someone to pay me to watch 80s flicks and sit on my ass...LOL...
I can get paid for Freeping and listening to 80s music? Who knew?
I agree 100% with Ted but he worded it wrong.
Everyone enjoys doing what they do very well ( better than most) and if you are very good at something you tend to be paid well for it.
The bottom line, look for the thing that you can do better than most, you will enjoy doing it, others will notice and pay you well for it.
You know, we all go through the “bread ‘n butter” jobs, the ones that pay the bills. But, real joy is working at something you truly love, even if there might only be a “thanks” at the end of it.
If you have worked 60 to 80 hours a week for 25 years and have nothing to show for it, shame on you. If you have a certain lifestyle that you must maintain, shame on you.
God does provide. I walked away from a job, that I could no longer do, 14 years ago. I felt a ton of weight immediately removed from my shoulders.
I did not know what I was going to do, but God provided, and my life opened up.
Just think about what you really need. Work toward making a change in your life, in your heart. There is pure joy from working at what you love to do, and helping others to do the same.
God bless.
Amen! Have a great day!
AND that’s why I love Ted Nugent! What a guy!
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