What were some 'words of wisdow' from your parents? That you still apply today..

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:44:05 -0500

Doling out wisdom has long been the hallmark of our fathers (and mothers). But do they really know best?

Or perhaps it came from a teacher, NCO, SNCO, CPO, SCPO, or even an Officer...

Please post here, life-changing advice or a great saying you have passed onto your troops and/or kids.

These are those little cliches our (or larger than) life lessons that shaped who you are today. If you share a quote with us, please give credit to the person that shared it with you.

To this day, do you too share these little life-lessons with your troops, or with your own children?
If so, please feel free to share their wisdom with the rest of us.

I'll share a few: (all credited to my Father)

"The consequences of a poor decision are often deferred."
"You pay now, or you pay later, but you always pay."
"You are capable of two emotions; Love and/or Fear, choose wisely."
"Life is about decisions, think twice, choose once."
"Be the man you would want your daughter to marry."
"There is no such thing as good luck -- luck is where preparations meets opportunity."

I look forward to hearing the safe advice of our Fathers (and Mothers) or NCO/Officers.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 7 at 2015 1:58 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 13:58:04 -0500

"You know what it is like in the Marines and Navy...Go Air Force" Parents
"In life you will always have the CDC. You will be presented a CHOICE...from that choice you will have to make a DECISION. Once you make the decision, you will have to live with the CONSEQUENCES" -AF Major
"Don't ever say you Air Force is MAKING you do something, you always have the choice...you just might not like the consequences of either choice. It becomes a matter of which one you like less." - Me to an Airman...then referred to the AF Major's quote.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 3:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 15:41:45 -0500

My family taught me a lot, but a saying that stuck with me is a quote they took from Mahatma Gandhi. “Truth never damages a cause that is just.” It's a phrase I've applied to my life, and the causes and ideas I chose to align with, numerous times.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 4:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:10:09 -0500

"Love God, treat women with respect, and live the Golden Rules (treat others equally)." My parents were terse direct, and to the point.

Response by PV2 Violet Case made Jan 7 at 2015 5:55 PM

PV2 Violet Case — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:55:59 -0500

"Where there's a will there's a way"

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 7 at 2015 6:07 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:07:44 -0500

If you get arrested, we will not bail you out.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:13 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:13:54 -0500

Another one: "Can't and Won't, take longer."

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:10 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:10:58 -0500

Don't F* up.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:16:57 -0500

SSG,

Old saying from my grandad that I have always listened to espesically now. "Always treat people with respect, no matter how they treat you , because you don't know if that guy might be your boss someday." Another saying from a 1sg who was friends of the family before he died. "Boy your going in the military it's becoming policatlly correct bullshit so here's something I learned. Having tact isn't being nice controlling your anger, no it's being able to tell someone who pisses you off to fuck off and go to hell in such a way they will enjoy the trip. So don't give up your beliefs but be open to everything no matter what."

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 7 at 2015 6:40 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:40:07 -0500

My father told me one thing, as I was getting on the bus (on 16 July 1986) to head out to the MEPS station. He said "in the Army, if you live by this principle you will do far: if it runs, don't fix and if it don't run, you paint it!"

I've learned there is a lot of truth in that statement.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 7 at 2015 7:54 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:54:38 -0500

My father told me: The impression that you make is lasting. You only get one opportunity to make it a good one. You either step out with a good foot, or you spend a very long time trying to rectify that misstep.

My grandfather, when I was young told me: If a man challenges you to a game of golf for money, in which he will only use a coke bottle, do not take the bet. The intent, and it is true, was that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is not.

Response by SGT Jim Russell made Jan 7 at 2015 7:59 PM

SGT Jim Russell — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 19:59:07 -0500

Advice from DS Work- "You know what Grandpa Work used to say? It's better to be pissed off than pissed on."

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 8 at 2015 9:08 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 09:08:11 -0500

Other than showing me how a man treats his family, my dad taught me this:

"Do what you love. Everything else will follow."

My best boss taught me:

"If you're not having fun doing what you're doing, why are you still doing it?"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 10:19 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:19:30 -0500

Here are a few of mine that I created that I'll push to my son and step daughter:

- Trying to change the past is failing to meet your future.
- The face in the mirror always looks to you to find a way.
- Human Nature is in itself a paradox, ordered chaos.
- A people of love would fall if but one person learnt to hate.

There are three types of people in this world. One who lives in the past, one day by day, and one to secure their future. The one in the past fights change, the day by day is trivial, and the one for the future seeks what they can't have. If one can harness all three, then you will find the beauty in between.

I have a million more of these, just incase I ever get famous and people look for quotes to put on their FB wall or something.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 10:32 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:32:28 -0500

"Never cook bacon naked."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 5:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:09:08 -0500

After graduating BCT and AIT I arrive at my 1st duty station and I'm in processing and the S-1 NCOIC did my in -processing by the numbers...i.e. a sponsor, counseling; and following up at the COB on the days progress, I asked her why this and why that. .. she told me look PVT your job is to follow orders not ask why? Let me worry about the why and you carry on with the mission I gave you.