We are all rich with choice!

On 06.09.10, In Advice, Inspirational Quotes, By Tommy

The 19th century success pioneer, Orison Swett Marden wrote, “The sculptor will chip off all unnecessary material to set free the angel. Nature will chip and pound us remorsefully to bring out our possibilities. She will strip us of wealth, humble our pride, humiliate our ambition, let us down from the ladder of fame, will discipline us in a thousand ways, if she can develop a little character. Everything must give way to that. Wealth is nothing. Position is nothing. Fame is nothing. Character is everything.”

In America, we are all rich with choice. And our choices reveal who we really are. We have unprecedented freedom to make ourselves and our lives into something that excites and pleases us. If we can’t make it here, we can’t make it anywhere. As Americans, we can also earn inequality with fellow citizens as a natural result of deliberately developing our character. However, we are living in a time characterized by a surplus of information but an obvious deficit of wisdom. Consequently, many essential principles and assumed truths from generations past have been packed away and abandoned, not only on the national level but on the personal level as well.

If we do rejuvenate this great land, it will be principles, not programs that make it happen. We must return to the sound fundamentals of success both as individuals and as a nation. The founding fathers knew that for the American experiment to last, it would require the election of virtuous leaders and for this to be possible, those who elect our leaders must be virtuous as well. The former cannot work without the latter.

Character is everything! Equip yourself and your kids to better understand the cultural, political, and spiritual challenges currently facing our nation. www.stopthewaronsuccess.com

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“those who torment us for our own good”

On 03.17.10, In Advice, By Tommy

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies.

The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. C.S. Lewis

www.stopthewaronsuccess.com

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An enemy at the gates is less formidable

On 03.05.10, In Advice, By Tommy

Cicero, the great Roman philosopher and a favorite of our founding fathers, put forth a stern warning when he said,

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those with the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politics so that it can no longer resist.”

www.thewaronsuccess.com

 

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The Fairness Fallacy by Thomas Sowell

On 02.09.10, In Advice, By Tommy

February 9, 2010 12:00 A.M.
The Fallacy of ‘Fairness’

Nature’s discrimination completely dwarfs man’s discrimination.

If there is ever a contest to pick which word has done the most damage to people’s thinking, and to actions to carry out that thinking, my nomination would be the word “fair.” It is a word thrown around by far more people than have ever bothered to even try to define it.

This mushy vagueness may be a big handicap in logic, but it is a big advantage in politics. All sorts of people, with very different notions about what is or is not fair, can be mobilized behind this nice-sounding word, in utter disregard of the fact that they mean very different things when they use that word.

Some years ago, for example, there was a big outcry that various mental tests used for college admissions or for employment were biased and “unfair” to many individuals or groups. Fortunately, there was one voice of sanity — David Riesman, I believe — who said: The tests are not unfair. Life is unfair and the tests measure the results.

If by “fair,” you mean everyone having the same odds for achieving success, then life has never been anywhere close to being fair, at any place or time. If you stop and think about it (however old-fashioned that may seem), it is hard even to conceive of how life could possibly be fair in that sense.
Read the rest of the article here.

Check out chapter three in The War on Success, “Trophies For Everyone” to better understand the fallacy of fairness and the motivation of statist who promote it.

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Saints Win, President Obama Redistributes Points, Game Rescored A Tie

On 02.07.10, In Advice, By Tommy

While the Saints just officially won the Super Bowl, can’t you just hear the discussion inside the West Wing…

“The Saints displayed unfair drive, ambition, work ethic and therefore have created for themselves an unfair advantage resulting in a victory that could have gone to an equally deserving Colts team. The unexpected and innovative on-sides kick to begin the second half caused an emotional disparity that lead to an uneven quality of play for the Saints. Government should step in immediately and create some regulations that even things out a bit. Maybe we can make this new legislation retroactive.

And let’s not stop there. Let’s abolish the worn out notion of ‘losing.’

Never again will there be so many teams who have to watch the Super Bowl from home. We should be inclusive and bring more teams, all teams under the tent of the Super Bowl…

In the NFL, we should all rise and fall together!”

TROPHIES FOR EVERYONE!!

Reality or Satire?

GOOD GRIEF

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Principles worth Practicing

On 02.01.10, In Advice, By Tommy

If we are not aware of them, or worse yet, we choose to ignore them, the principles of life tend to be equal opportunity destroyers. Take gravity for example. If no one ever explained the nature of gravity and we accidentally stepped off the two story deck at our neighbor’s home, we’d all go straight down, never up. It wouldn’t even make a difference if we were in a protected demographic class and had special rights; we’d still go down. That’s how natural law works. It is incapable of discrimination, which is, I suppose, why social engineers harbor such antagonism toward it.

When we align our life with timeless principles or Natural Law, we experience a surge of confidence, competence, and unparalleled optimism for the future. But the responsibility for learning about these principles and then living in a manner consistent with them is completely up to each of us as individuals. We cannot take the default position of simply making up our own little pet laws of life. We see the destruction and despair all around us; the natural consequence breaking Natural Law. As the old saying goes, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” We can break man-made laws and frequently escape without a penalty.

Timeless principles have a way of tracking us down and serving us with the unpleasant consequences despite our ignorance or best intentions. If we are serious about developing all the potential within us, we must avoid the trendy “principe du jour” mentality that has smothered our society. Be on the lookout! It is common for current political leaders to use the word “principle” in lieu of other less appealing words like “idea, notion, theory, program, and whim.” However, I’ve been coaching entrepreneurs for nearly twenty years and it has become abundantly clear to me that when an individual’s life or business is off track, it is inevitably the result of drifting from proven principles.

When entrepreneurs recalibrate with authentic principles, their business or personal life becomes more successful, productive and harmonious. It is no mystery. It is not an accident. And it is the same for our country as a whole.

Principles matter most.

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Dear Trey, Hope and Zach…they can’t deliver the life that you deserve!

On 01.23.10, In Advice, By Tommy

Dear Trey, Hope and Zach,

We have had the incredible blessing of living in the USA, where freedom and opportunity have been the cornerstones. Your great grandfather was an entrepreneur, and he put forth great diligence and effort to build a successful business in the furniture industry in Atlanta.

This business was passed down to my father (your grandfather) and it thrived for many years. It was ultimately wiped out by debt and the desire to grow too fast. That was the ultimate demise. Unwise choices caused the problem, not other people or the lack of government regulations.

In our country today, we are facing a deteriorating economy as the result of greed, incompetence and mismanagement. Too many people are attempting to live beyond their means, and we have a banking system that has conducted itself foolishly as well.

To make matters worse, our government is spending money it does not have, and plans to leave this unprecedented debt for you and your children to pay back. Think about what this might mean to your future hopes and dreams.

Remember that many of the problems we’re facing today are the result of a largely inept government interfering in the private sector and then blaming the private sector for the inevitable confusion and inefficiency that naturally follows such meddling. Using the economic crisis as his justification, our new President is attempting to diminish our individual freedom and opportunity to solve the problems.

But, this is no solution. America was built on a belief in God and the inalienable principles documented in the Bible!

We have no chance of succeeding and maintaining our individual freedom if we continue to distance ourselves from these founding principles. But this is the path we are on, and it is a prescription for disaster.

I am excited about each of you being parents and leaders in the next generation, but you need to be aware that the current administration appears to be putting obstacles in place to diminish your available freedom and upside opportunity when you grow up.

I know that you can be part of a real solution. I encourage you to stand up for the real principles. Be loud and refuse to back down. Never rely on government, but depend on God and be willing to personally pay the price of success in all areas of life.

As I write this letter, I am praying that you will have the wisdom to perceive what is true and what is false. Politicians will make promises for votes and power, but rest assured they can’t deliver the life that you de-serve.

I Love You Unconditionally!
Dad

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Dear Nicholas…What future will you create?

On 01.22.10, In Advice, By Tommy

Dear Nicholas,

This is being written as a part of the American Dream Campaign and is meant to share my thoughts as to the opportunities presented to us because of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. As you are well aware, these freedoms are the results of much forethought, bravery, and effort on the part of the country’s founding fathers, as well as the sacrifices made by countless others through wars, economic turmoil, and political unrest.

Though these opportunities are available, it is up to you to take advantage of them… to decide what you want to achieve, accomplish, and create. As George Bernard Shaw said, “People are always blaming where they are in life on circumstance. I don’t believe in circumstances. Those who get on in this world are those who find the circumstances they want. And if they don’t find them, they create them.”

Your grandfather is a living example of this. Having grown up poor in Florence, AL, he enlisted in the Marines for WWII, fought his way through the Pacific, and returned with a new sense of determination; that is, he determined he would be successful.

After graduating from college, he began creating his career. Soon, not satisfied with his circumstances, he created his own by starting his own company and went on to distinguish himself and become a leader in his field. But nothing was given or expected. He earned it through planning, hard work, and sacrifice.

Others like him, these members of the “greatest generation,” create an example and legacy for us to follow: that your future really is up to you. No excuses, no blame. It will be built on your personal commitment to your dream. It will not be easy and there will be numerous obstacles. Will you have the grit and determination to overcome them? Will you see the obstacles for what they are… opportunities that will stop others and allow you to separate and prove yourself? Will you demand yourself to fully develop the talents and abilities God has given you and refuse to fall short of your dreams? Will you create the circumstance you want, rather than accepting and settling for those put in your path?

Truly, your future is up to you. You are in a country that, despite those who seek to socialize our achievements, still rewards individual excellence. It is up to you. What future will you create?

With much love and hope,
Dad

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Dear Emma and Katherine… the only place this story can be told is in America

On 01.21.10, In Advice, By Tommy

Dear Emma and Katherine:

As we discuss during our ride to school most mornings, I am deeply concerned at the current direction of our nation. I am convinced that continuing our present path will lead to certain financial ruin for this country. The continually increasing intrusion of government into our daily lives, the vilification of successful (and happy) individuals and the erosion of personal responsibility will lead us to further devalue personal success and effort and excellence.

However, I want to share with you my hope for you and indeed for our nation. As we have also discussed exhaustively, your grandfather began life on a rural farm that was can only be described as primitive. In fact, I can recall in one my earliest memories my father and uncles installing running water (read: a bathroom) in my grandparents farm house. The family raised most of their food, made most of their clothes and had only a radio to keep up with events outside their “small world”. I can also remember their first TV with 2 channels!

They were a fiercely independent family and valued this independence more than I can describe. They lived simply. And at the risk of using an overused cliché, the children truly walked many miles to school each day, regardless of the weather. They returned home to help with the innumerable chores and work required of farm life.

What is instructive is that each of the children grew up to find success as entrepreneurs and professionals. While only one graduated from college (law degree from Northwestern University), the others together started several businesses and found their definition of success in a hardscrabble rural economy. My father started with surplus WWII equipment and little capital and built one of the most admirable companies in the area. He was known to everyone as hardworking, diligent, independent and industrious. (So industrious that my father and uncle built, from scratch, the first school bus in our poor county.)

With no help (and little intrusion) from the government he created an enterprise providing employment to many people whose only job options can described as dismal. The opportunity to work for his company was valued and viewed as a step to a better life in a tough place. He created for his employees both a positive environment and a path leading to a better life.

I am certain that the only place this story can be told is in America. There is no system other than free enterprise where someone of little resources can, through persistence and freedom, create a better life for their family, employees and for themselves. The system that led this nation to become the world’s strongest, most influential and dominant economy in only 130 years makes the story of my father and his family possible. This country’s success story is made up of my family’s journey experienced by countless others in a different time and place.

So while I am discouraged by the national mood at the moment, I know that this too shall pass. I firmly believe that our country will again discover the miracle of small, independent business. If I did not have faith in the underlying principles that have guided this country I would not work and sacrifice as I do. And, I know that with the same hard work and long-term perspective, you too will find happiness, success and significance. You too will have an opportunity to create a better environment and opportunity for yourself and others. You too will be able to enjoy the satisfaction of creating something of significance that makes this country a better place and furthers its potential.

Love,
Dad

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“Let them look to Massachusetts”…new territory claimed to stop the war on success!

On 01.20.10, In Advice, By Tommy

FROM SCOTT BROWN’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

“I will work in the Senate to defend our nation’s interests and to keep our military second to none. As a lieutenant colonel and 30-year member of the Army National Guard, I will keep faith with all who serve, and get our veterans all the benefits they deserve.

And let me say this, with respect to those who wish to harm us, I believe that our Constitution and laws exist to protect this nation – they do not grant rights and privileges to enemies in wartime. In dealing with terrorists, our tax dollars should pay for weapons to stop them, not lawyers to defend them.
Raising taxes, taking over our health care, and giving new rights to terrorists is the wrong agenda for our country. What I’ve heard again and again on the campaign trail, is that our political leaders have grown aloof from the people, impatient with dissent, and comfortable in the back room making deals. And we can do better.

They thought you were on board with all of their ambitions. They thought they owned your vote. They thought they couldn’t lose. But tonight, you and you and you have set them straight.

Across this country, we are united by basic convictions that need only to be clearly stated to win a majority. If anyone still doubts that, in the election season just beginning, let them look to Massachusetts.”

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