Good Morning, 2017

Welcome to another year!

Here are some “Lessons Learned” from 2016 that I thought I’d share.

1. Time marches on WAY too quickly. 2016 passed in the blink of an eye and left me wondering what the hell happened? My daughter turned 21 years old and I missed it. Friends have come and gone, some I had only seen once in the last year even though they live just down the street. Others live far away and still others have departed the planet way too soon. I guess the takeaway here is: Stop, take a deep breath and appreciate those around you and those that have impacted your life in good ways. Especially those who love you.
2. People now get offended WAY too easily. And it’s not just an American thing. It seems to have spread across the globe in the guise of political correctness, inclusivity, religion and other utopian ideals. I think the instantaneousness of the internet and all its social media is to blame. Someone gets butt-hurt over a comment or perceived slight and posts their displeasure to some like-minded friends online and the next thing you know, people are rioting in the streets. Now, that doesn’t necessarily need to be a bad thing (Think Arab Spring) but it seems to have been taken over by idiots, thugs and evildoers. Now the whole world is full of pussies snowflakes crybabies libtards well, shit. I don’t know WHAT to call them without having someone burn me in effigy for hurting their feelings. Students are excused from class or exams because their candidate lost??? They have established safe spaces??? Well, to them I say, “Beer, guns, titties, bacon, Trump, prayer, heterosexual, Christmas, loser (no trophy for you), there are TWO genders, ALL lives matter and suck it up, snowflake. Life is hard.”
3. Nobody gives a shit that you just came back from Afghanistan. Or Iraq. Or Syria. Or Jordan. Or any other shithole around the globe where people are fighting and dying. I don’t know why. Maybe the above paragraph has something to do with it. Maybe because so many of us have been there. Some of my friends have spent more time fighting wars than they have not fighting wars. Maybe it’s because Call of Duty, Battlefield and Airsoft have desensitized us to the true nature of war.
4. Bulletproof windshields take an inordinately LONG time to defrost. Okay, that one was really from December 2015 but I just remembered it.
5. Shoulder surgery sucks.
6. “You’re only as old as you feel.” Bullshit. I feel quite young. I relate better to younger folks, I enjoy music other than “classic rock,” and love riding my motorcycle. It’s when I truly start to act as young as I feel that my body laughs and says, “Ha! Watch this shit!” I used to walk everywhere, run, lift weights and could party like a rock star. Now, it takes 20 minutes to get out of bed, the farthest I want to walk is to my car in the driveway, I barely know how to pronounce the word run and would rather be in bed by 9:00 than closing down the bar at 3:00 am.
7. Florida drivers need to be taught about turn signals.
8. Most problems CAN be solved through the proper application of duct tape, superglue, alcohol or violence.
9. 2016 was NOT the “worst year ever.” People died, people got elected and people got their feelings hurt. Not everyone deserves a trophy. There were plenty of years throughout history that could easily vie for the title, “Worst Year Ever.”
10. And, finally, I learned that you do not have to be alone to feel lonely. You do not have to have others with you to feel wanted, either. Life is what YOU make of it. While some battle demons and think they must go it alone, ultimately succumbing to the feeling of hopelessness, all it takes is the right someone to reach out. People throw the number 22 around a lot. Supposedly the number of veteran suicides per day. One is too many. Support veteran hotlines, PTSD awareness, whatever it takes. Veterans – reach out to your battle buddy, a struggling brother or sister. Be there for them.

Here’s wishing everyone a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. And remember:

Life is a Sandwich. Eat it up!

Mike

1. 

   Gary Sorensen says:

   January 2, 2017 at 05:43

   Good thoughts Mike. I have heard another person’s intelligence can be measured by how closely their thoughts align with mine. You are brilliant. Happy New Year – another chance for hope and working to fulfill goals.
2. 

   Lee Taylor says:

   February 10, 2017 at 13:40

   Nice rant Mike! I hope you are well, shoot me an email sometime. Happy belated new year!