Common Cents.

Rant:

I'm 32, I have a wife, 2 kids, and a disobedient but loving dog. I didn't have a philosophical and deep thinking mother and father. I was taught how to work but more from a "because I said so" point of reason not a "because work = money" point. I've been allowed to have just enough rope to hang myself sometimes. After a few trips to the gallows however, I quickly learned to be weary of the rope. The great philosopher Ashton Kutcher recently said "opportunity looks a lot like hard work". For those of you over 35, Thomas Edison also said this. I'm wondering today what am I teaching my kids about this and what their response will be "when opportunity comes knocking".

I've always needed a point or end goal to whatever I'm doing. I'll do whatever it takes to be successful and work as hard as needed. However, I need to know why I'm doing it. I never responded well to the "because I said so" point of view. I know there is a time and a place for "I said so", like I said, I'm a father now. I don't have to explain to my 2 year old why she can't wear a dirty diaper; I just put on a clean one. However, I'm afraid most of us never learn this first life lesson. I don't care who you are, you can't keep wearing the dirty diaper. We adopt these mindsets that "I know this stinks but it's mine" or "you don't know what it's like for me and my dirty diaper" or "my dirty diaper is the only thing that's here for me". Meanwhile, we have a growing society that refuses to stop stinking and challenge the rest of us with "who are you to say I should change?" I think you see my imagery. Contrary to your point of view and the "dirty diaper stance" you're taking, you still stink and your refusal to clean up does impact others.

I'm afraid that this has contributed to my generation becoming a group of individuals who don't see the value and worth in old fashioned hard work and self-determination. we seem to have a problem making the connection between hard work equaling success. Today's thought process seems to be, "I've shown up, now where's my trophy?"

This column will be much less effective, as my wife just pointed out (as usual), if I just rant. So, I'll leave you will some pearls.

Wisdom:

If you're in high school, college, or just starting your working career then I have bad news for you. You're just starting. You can't have everything your parents, older siblings, or older friends have. you're just starting. Don't make the mistake of thinking you're entitled and that causes you to be impatient. You will create a big hole for yourself that will make it almost impossible to climb out of. You don't "deserve it". Just because you've "always wanted a ______ " doesn't matter. Patience. Paying with cash. Necessity and not luxury. You don't mortgage your future for a quick reward now.

If you've been busting it for about 10-15 years and you're doing it the right way but not seeing results, ask yourself if you're where you're supposed to be. Do you out-work everyone else or just do what is required? Are you happy when you're at work? Is there something else that you would be a more valuable asset as while doing? Maybe it's time for a change? It's scary, but sometimes you just have to trust yourself.

If you're successful and have "arrived", you should consider finding a purpose in giving back. Try mentoring some youth at church or at-risk children. Get involved in helping pass down the knowledge you have to others. Most of our high school graduates can't understand what a life of debt will do to them. If you have been there, TELL THEM. Teach them how to balance a check book and how to save for something you want and not put it on the credit card. If those of you in this group will give back more, we won't have all the mistakes that the groups above are making.

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By Tyler Wilks