Money's not a Problem

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“If you can fix it with money, it's not a problem.”
-Mary Beth Schrader

Mom's turn for the spotlight.

Mom actually used this one on me this past week, and I needed to hear it. My car decided that it needed new CV joints this week. It also wanted a new wheel bearing, and it got grumpy when my brake clips were wearing my brakes down wrong. Darn cars.

So I did what I always do when the Bullet decides to throw a tantrum... I throw a tantrum myself. I called Mom, and I didn't know what to do, and I wanted her to make it all better, because moms do that. I was freaking over the fact that it was going to take two-weeks' pay to cover the repair costs. To add salt to the wound, I had managed to get on top of my finances this week. October was supposed to be the month where I started dumping serious money at my student loans and (admittedly) a few toys, because my moving expenses were all covered, and I had put enough fluff into my savings account to cover emergency expenses. Now, that account is empty, and I get to fill it all over again.

It was about that point in my tantrum that mom slapped that quote on me. Then I realized, I have no right or reason to complain... I can cover the cost, even if it hurts a little bit. You know what else? After the Bullet is fixed, it won't even matter anymore. It won't be a problem after this week. It won't linger. It is not permanent. In a world where most people don't even own a pair of wheels, I should realize that I am blessed that I have a pair to fix in the first place.

There are plenty of problems in the world. If money is all it takes to fix them, then are they really problems? Mom said no.

And you know what? She's right.

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!

Values

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“Integrity, character, and morality are not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have them, or you don’t.”
-Unknown

The vast majority of people I have encountered do not want to see other people suffer. They do not want to see other people fail. They do not want to flagrantly degrade or demean someone else. Yes, it happens. Occasionally, out of anger, ignorance, or simply getting caught up in the moment, we make bad choices that can seriously damage not only other feelings, but could also damage our own integrity. These mistakes are not made without apology or reconcile if we still hold on to character, integrity, and morality, however. I guess I see these kinds of people most often because I choose to associate with them, and avoid the other kind.

The "other kind," of course, doesn't care. You know who I'm talking about. The jerks. The bullies. The instigators. They look out for themselves, and don't mind stomping on other people so that they can put themselves on their own self-proclaimed pedestal.

I was in a situation last week where the person in charge of said situation was "the other kind." When your leadership lacks integrity, character, and yes, even morality, the situation is negative for everyone else. Funny... people have a tendency to not want to work hard or well when they feel they are getting screwed. They don't want to work when they are not given credit for what they do. They have a tendency to not listen to somebody who has a vested interest in himself, as opposed to the team.

A lot of people get mixed up in the idea that morality, integrity, and character are religious ideas, and that if you have them, you go to Heaven, and if you don't, you go to Hell, and that's it. They may belong in religions of the world, yes, but allow me to expand this idea further.

I would debate that if you have integrity, character, and morality, that you have the ability to create a positive environment where the people who follow you believe in you and whatever it is you may be trying to accomplish.

I would also debate that if you lack these things people will not follow you. You would have the ability to create a negative environment, one in which people feel they are being taken advantage of, lied to, or perhaps even used. They would question your motives more often, and would not do their best in their duties, because they wouldn't want you to be able to stake claim on their accomplishments. (i.e. Cheating by claiming other's work as your own.)

It's no wonder companies are always asking about your integrity and character during job interviews. Which kind of person is going to a effectively lead a team?

Yes, there are two kinds of people in the world. Which one are you?

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!

Surprise

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“Safe sex is in your hand!”
-Ron Lovelace

This weekend, I was surprised by a visit from Mr. Lovelace and Gregg Koteski, whom I have the pleasure of being great friends with since going to Ferris. I was reminded of many of the ridiculously silly things that Ron on occasion says, and so I felt it only appropriate that his ambiguity find its way onto the Quotes this week.

We had an awesome weekend and I very much enjoyed getting out of the apartment and doing things with my close friends. It was a much-appreciated, well overdue break.

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!

Birth of the Gun's Quotes

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

“The greatest mistake a man can make is to be afraid of making one.”
-Elbert Hubbard

It's official! Football season has started, so it's only appropriate that this quote be posted this week. Why you ask?

I played football in high school. Not a lot of people know that, and for good reason: I was the bench-warmer.

We played a high school by the name of Platte County (we called them PC) at Platte County one year. At the time, they were a football dynasty, and actually played 30-something straight games undefeated over about three years. We knew we were going to get our butts handed to us, and we did.

Before the game, in the locker room, I noticed a banner on the wall. It caught my attention while I was getting dressed. It read, simply, ‘“The greatest mistake a man could make is to be afraid of making one.’ -Elbert Hubbard,” in italicized blue type, on a plain white background. It hit me. I had never, ever considered that before. All of a sudden, I saw a major reason why I wasn't successful in football. I played scared. I practiced scared. I didn't want to get hurt, nor did I want to embarrass myself in front of the crowd, (or especially my dad) so I played/practiced so conservatively and so frightened that the only thing I could do was, well, not play.

Because PC destroyed the varsity in only three quarters, I (the 3rd string QB) got to play that game. I decided I was going to try to apply this quote. I was going to give it a little more than I had, and I ended up leading the offense to a touchdown. Who knew?

Of all the wonderful memories that I have of high school, and there are a lot of great ones, this one sticks out the most.

I'm not going to say that I could have been a great high school athlete if I just simply had a different outlook or attitude. There are a lot of things that play into that, and I didn't have most of them. However, I can say that it did help.

That quote truly was a turning point in my life. It helped me to realize that I had to change my attitude, that it was what was holding me back, before anything or anybody else.

So it is appropriate that now, at the start of football season, that this quote get posted. Why? Because on a football field in Platte County, MO, in a locker room in the basement, I took my first (life-changing) quote home.

...and the Gun's Quotes were born.

Listen

Gun’s Quote-of-the-Week:

‎“That's why you have two ears and one mouth. So you can listen twice as much as you speak.”
-Chuck Schrader

My Dad tried so hard to be the best Dad in the world. Looking back on it now, he did a darn good job.

One of his fatherly characteristics was the repetition of several quotes during my childhood that have much more meaning now than they did when I first heard them. Guess it proves how wise Dad really is. (You'll get plenty other of Dad's quotes as the year progresses.)

This past weekend, I find out a good friend of mine is struggling. It doesn't matter who he/she is or what he/she is struggling with. I asked what I could do to help his/her situation. The response?

"You've helped just by listening."

Sometimes that's all it takes.

Have you ever found yourself rambling on? Have you ever tried to get the last word in? Are you the center of attention? If you know me at all, you know I have been guilty of the above much more often than I care to admit. I wonder how much I missed while I was on my soapbox those days. I wonder if doing so meant I accidentally put off a friend. I hope not.

LISTEN! You never know what you might hear...

…and that’s why it’s a Gun’s Quote!