Kids,
The year 2020 has been the strangest one yet since I have been alive. You will always remember the era we are going through. I want you to enjoy what you have and take some time to live in the moment. I also implore you to not get stuck in the present. Have goals and plan for the future.
Right now, we are being barraged with Corona/Politics/Riots and the most government over-reach I have ever seen in my life. People are frightened and they are demanding that their leaders "just do something, anything." without thinking one step further to what the result of a request like that sounds like to a power and control-happy organization.
Despite this negativity, I am trying to take the time to point out the positivity and good things in life. From our loveable cats, to the humming birds, to the abundant awes of nature, we have a lot to be thankful for. We should always first seek to find gratitude for what we have. Some things to keep in mind are: Our excellent health, our family unit, the fact that your Mom and I haven't had to miss any work during these times, the possibilities that the internet brings to us (if we choose to use it wisely.)
Please plan for the future. Take small steps every day with the assumption that you will live to be 100 years old. (This means save for retirement, starting out at 10% can grow you into a millionaire before you're 50!) Buy products for the long-term. What this means is a $30 keyboard will last you 3 months...a $150 one will last years. A cheap pair of shoes will hold up a season, I $275 pair of Red Wings can be re-soled and last you a lifetime. Do some research before you buy. Also, sleep on it for a while and ask yourself if you really need that impulse buy.
When you get into your jobs or careers, stay aware of trends in your respective industries. (Read the book Who Moved My Cheese) If you are involved in your industry, not just when you're on the clock, you will reduce the odds of being caught flat-footed if your company sells out or closes, or moves locations. At work, live in the moment, but also make contacts and establish allies. Emulate the people that are successful and do not fall in line with people who aren't. You will know who they are.
Right now, I feel a little bit stuck in my work life. Despite the whole world falling down around me, I am doing fine, but I am not happy. I do make enough money that it will be more than challenging to replace the income. I am tolerating this job to be able to provide for you. After separating from the Air Force Active Duty, I dreamed of a tech career. I started working in it as well as using my education benefits to pursue that line. What I failed to do was see how trends were changing from hardware support to programming. I was strong in hardware, but to this day remain completely unable to code. I jumped out of IT to go into sales and that worked for us for a while. However, now, after reflection, I feel like I could have maintained competence in IT to keep myself relevant and migrated with the trends, or at least as close as possible without needing to code for a living. The Air Force, as a civilian is going to provide us with my pension in retirement, so that is another factor of positivity that I need to use to console myself.
I am rambling, so I'm going to cut this post off. Please seek the beauty around you. Take your time, but also hustle when necessary. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
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