Comments on: What Can We Learn From a Train?

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:44:27 +0000

@MarcelinaWW: Thanks for the kind words and the cogent thoughts. There are those who go through life who never plan and sometimes suffer dire consquences, but, n my view anyway, there are many more who spend their whole life planning and get nowhere … especially regarding retirement .. which is of course something near and ear to my haert, since I ‘are one’. .. retiree that is.

I even had to stop participating in a big online retirement forum that was actually an excellent, friendly place. The people who just shot down every single idea, without even thinking it through, on ’safety’ issues just got the better of me … I found that just going and reading the latest posts boosted my blood pressure and made me grind my teeth. I prefer trying to be more balanced in thought and deed.

I’m no hockey fan, but most everyone has heard of Wayne Gretsky, the “Babe Ruth” of the game … said Wayne … “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” One of the only ’sure things’ in sports or the other aspects of life.

By: MarcelinaWW

MarcelinaWW — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:33:45 +0000

Hi Dave,

Glad to see you as LiP’s regular contributors. We definitely can learn a lot from your wisdom.

If I understand you correctly, what you’re saying here is similar to what Confucius says:

“If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it’s OK. But you’ve got to shoot for something. A lot of people don’t even shoot.”

I’d say it’s not always easy to be precise, and perfect – something most of us suffer from, the thought of not being perfect to the eyes of our friends and colleagues. I’d say… what they think of me is NOT my business.

Have a fabulous day, Dave!

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:13:41 +0000

@marshallmellow: That is for sure, marshall … if we don’t start we for sure can’t finish. Thanks for coming buy and commenting.

By: marshallmellow

marshallmellow — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:05:38 +0000

a very good read dave and the railroad illustration you used to illustrate your topic was excellent.

It reminds me of something I frequently share with others…if you never take the first step on the road to where you want to go, you will never get there…

Your posting this morning reminds me I should listen to and perhaps follow some of my own advice.

Cheers and best o’ luck to all,

~marshall

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:20:32 +0000

Hello Dave,
I could not agree with more, I was just as guilty of that sindrome and that is the reason I am moving to the Philippines start a new life.
In the Australian Navy we used to call the people who just stayed in defence for safety sake as ladder blockers. I lot of people get institutionised if there is such a word. Almost like being their own little prison. It safe and you do not have to think.
You keep up the risky articles, I enjoy reading them and I your writings stimulating.

Steven

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:52:23 +0000

@Steven: Hi Steven, thanks for the comment and your thoughts.

The article itself is risk taking. Mnay people will read it and say, “Oh he’s just a careless cowboy type, shoots from the hip, doesn’t think things through, a “Ready, Fire, Aim” sort of guy. Well, that’s their prerogative and I can’t change their minds.

I have seen so many people, though, structure their whole lives around perceived ’safety’ that they eventually wind up dead (I heard we all will, but I’m in denial of that at the moment ) without ever even trying some of their fondest dreams.

In many ways the military mindset contributes alot to this … a great many of my freinds and acquaintances that I know are military/ex-military. There’s a well developed mindset of “better dead than red” where red is short hand to embarrassment, not Communism.

Guys think about making a move .. whether it’s a move to the Phuilippines or starting their own business or something else that is near and dear to their heart, and they refuse to ever ‘pull the trigger’ because they might fail, and failure is so embarrassing. Failure is actually something to cherish, becuase you learn so much and because it is proof you took a shot … and failure in busness or per\saonl finace is very seldom anywhere near as serious and final as people think it is when they are at the planning stages of a life change.

Anway, that’s the way it seems to me.

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:28:44 +0000

Hello Dave,
I very interesting article and it has made me have a serious think about what you had to say. If I am reading you right, we are talking about risk taking, conforming to what other people think we should do and not do.
As an ex military like you and in my fifties, actually just turned 51 and has had to conform to military standards on just about everything you do in life. My experiences and observations have taught me, take the risk but never do it without doing your research first.
Risk taking is part of growing up and when we get older we take with a bit more thought, well hopefully. The problem being a risk taker and having individual thought, it is being beaten out of us from the time we can walk and open our mouths.
We are taught to conform by our parents, friends,religion,education and government. The moment you have an idea or want to do something different, everybody is an expert and the “Sociaty For Negative Thought”, are the strongest advisors.
Life is a risk from the time our mum and dad in the heat of passion, to that little taddy heading towards that egg with your name on it, life is a risk.
Risk taking,having individual though is the reason we are here today.
So give “Sociaty For Negative Thought” a big kick up the arse and welcome “Sociaty For Positive Thought”, you will feel much better for it.