So I Dont Forget… …A note to myself
August 26th, 2009 marked my last official day with the Marine Corps. It was a melancholy day, reflecting over my last six years of life & service. I happened to remember writing a note to myself at a small internet cafe at Camp Ramadi. I found it! I originally wrote this on Sept 25th, 2006. I was near the end of my tour in Iraq, and I was beginning to evaluate the power of my experience there:
So I Don’t Forget:
I am not the only one.
I am only what i make of my time, and there is not much time.
It means more to touch a life than to take one.
Love is a choice. With out the option to not love, one cannot choose to love.
Choose your battles, don’t sweat the small stuff.
Why put off to tomorrow what can be done today.
If there will always be more; don’t try to work till its all done.
There is always two sides to a story, and the problem is usually communication.
Rumors hurt, and never take into account the previous sentence.
Lies never help.
Not enough sleep will make you sick; too much sleep means you are sick (most likely depressed).
Fear is real, dread is created.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate – Ownership results in motivation and quality work.
Laziness is not a trait, its a symptom.
Football is not evil.
Never volunteer (thanks coach).
Dale Carnegie is still relevant.
Lead from the middle?
Think before you speak, but never be afraid to speak.
Problems don’t disappear; never run from them again.
Thanks Keith for this post. Even though I didn’t know you very well in ’06 I knew you were quality. Such a fun thing to be able to look back at such a time and see how much you’ve grown.
Very reflective and makes me remember how I felt about your time in Iraq and the Marines. Congrats on making it!!!
This was just what I needed. So proud of you man.
Jeff