Lesson 24: Keys to Success - Take No Sh*t

     I'm not gonna lie - when I read this Key to Success, I laughed out loud. It's just so honest, and oh so true. If you want to succeed in life, you can't let anyone stop you. In other words, take no sh*t.
     Taking no sh*t doesn't mean being rude or unkind. It merely means to not let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams or living your life. However, that's not all there is to it.

"Do no harm, but take no sh*t."

     The other half of taking no sh*t is doing no harm. You see, karma is a very real thing. If you treat people poorly, you'll get treated poorly. Treat the world the way you want to be treated, and you won't have to worry about it treating you badly.

     Big Dude, you were king at this. I just hope I can be as good at it as you were.

     Love, Bubba

Lesson 23: Keys to Success - Get Up

     Another lovely Barry-ism for this week's Key to Success: Get Up. Or rather, fall down seven times, get up eight. AKA - keep going.

     Some days are so freaking tough Trav. Getting out of bed is a struggle, and it truly seems impossible to make it through the day. With these new hours at the station, I get up around 11pm, work until 8am, and then come home and sleep until it's time to go to the gym. Essentially, I'm somewhat nocturnal. Sleep is a priority for me now - if I can nap, I nap, no matter the hour. And the longer I can stay in bed the better.
     But I've got to get up and keep going. It's like my dad says, if you fall down, get up again. Because the day you gave up could have been the day things got better.

"But the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me."

2 Timothy 4:17

     Every day you stand up and keep going is a day God stands with you and makes you stronger. Every day that you keep trying is a day closer to better days. I will get up every day knowing that God and you are helping me. Even if I would rather sleep in a little longer.

     Love, Bubba

Lesson 22: Keys to Success - Love Hard

     With Valentine's Day this weekend, it's no surprise that my post this week is about love. I may be young, but I had a great example for how a relationship should be from watching you and mom. You treated her like a queen and were always faithful. You made her laugh and you always gave her your entire heart. You exemplified one of the Keys to Success I was given at graduation - Love Hard.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

Proverbs 3:3

     To me, to love hard means to love with your entire heart. If you truly love someone, you give them everything. You shouldn't love someone with half a heart. Because when you love someone with everything you have, you open your life to even more love than you could imagine. And if you're lucky, you have a love like Travis and D'Lyn.

     Love, Bubba

Lesson 21: Keys to Success - Travel

     My Fabulous Aunt Jessica is a traveling woman. She's been all over the United States and a few places over seas. She's seen parts of the world that I wish I had, especially since I've never been outside of the United States. And her Key to Success was, no surprise, travel.

"And He said to them: Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

Mark 16:15

     When we travel, we see things completely different from what we're used to. Different people, different cultures, different foods and monuments - the world is a beautiful and diverse place. Traveling only makes you more of a well-rounded and understanding person.

     One of my goals is to start traveling more. Big Dude, you weren't a world traveler, but I know you'd support this Key to Success.

     Love, Bubba