Re: Sumpter Valley Number 20

I suppose if a person does not embrace "the mission", it all becomes pure drudgery, whether you're working in a smoke-choked mill or selling cards at Hallmark. I have had a few suck-ass jobs in my life, but quickly moved on and found something I could embrace. Most people would HATE my job now. From living in tents with 20 other men, to the dust, the mud, the politics, not to mention the combat, but there is nothing like it in the world and when you make a difference for someone in need it is more meaningful than a lifetime at Taco Bell in my book.

There is a saying about not wanting to die peacefully after a placid life, but rather to come skidding into homeplate all banged up and bruised, teeth full of bugs and dirt and say, "Man, that was quite a ride !" Part of the latter is embracing what you do in life. Another is getting in there and being part of it, taking chances, feeling the pain of failure and the glory of success, even if you are the only there to witness.

How many fools today would not give their eye teeth to fire on the old SV ? Why, because they see the glory, not the drudgery.

It's all in how you see life. I'm just not a cube farm kind of guy, .. and Patrick Henry did NOT say "Give me convenience or give me death !"