Charlie Daniels turned 82 yesterday. Last week he penned a nice letter about his life at 82. I think you should read it: October 28, 2018, God willing, I will turn 82 years old. What are you supposed to be doing and how are you supposed to act when you’re 82? Should there be an added degree of sophistication, a thicker veneer of dignity, with most of your attention aimed toward the weightier things of life? Or maybe sit in a rocking chair and regale anybody who will listen with tales of “the good ol’ days”? Or maybe spend your days in a bass rig or on a golf course or indulging in some sedentary hobby? Or just sleep late and learn to name the players and identify with the ongoing tragedies in the lives of soap opera characters? Well, to those who choose to spend their golden years in such pursuits, as they say “down unda,” “Good on ya, mate,” hats off, kudos, well wishes and bon voyage on your chosen method of cruising into the sunset. But as for me, I look at my next year of life as another journey through the competition, hassle, hustle bustle,…Continue reading The fire burns on–Charlie Daniels at 82
Month: October 2018
Prayer for ordering your life wisely
Heard about this on the Pints With Aquinas podcast episode 125. The poet priest Father Paul Murray offered a new translation St. Thomas Aquinas’ daily prayer for ordering his life wisely: Grant me, O merciful God, to desire eagerly, to investigate prudently, to acknowledge sincerely, and to fulfill perfectly those things that are pleasing to Thee, for the praise and glory of Thy holy Name. O my God, order my life, and grant that I may know what Thou wilt have me to do; and grant that I may fulfill it as is fitting and profitable to my soul. Grant me, O Lord my God, the grace that I may not falter either in prosperity or adversity. May I not be unduly lifted up by the one, nor unduly cast down by the other. Let me neither rejoice nor grieve at anything, save what either leads to Thee or leads away from Thee. Let me not desire to please anyone nor fear to displease anyone save only Thee. Let all things transitory seem vile in my eyes, and all things eternal be dear to me. Let me tire of that joy which is without Thee and to desire nothing that…Continue reading Prayer for ordering your life wisely
It’s happening…
I think it is happening. After years and years of losing and coming back for the next whipping, it seems like the conservatives in the United States are waking up. Look at them: Look at the fighters: Recently, a moderately liberal friend reached out to me. He’s converted, in large part because of Trump and finally seeing liberal hysteria for what it is. He told me that more than a true belief in conservative ideas, he just hates the Left. Here’s what I told him: Strange times we live in. I’ve been saying that the Left has been at war with America for years, and now–when this idea seems to be going mainstream more than ever–I am actually more sure we will prevail than ever…why? Because we have truth, beauty, and justice on our side. And no matter how many times we hear up is down and wrong is right, Truth by its nature cannot be perverted permanently. And because of this… Trump is waking people up. Your instincts (destroy the Left) are understandable…but while we *should and must* destroy them, we must be sure to build up our own families, businesses, arts, religion, etc. After the conflagration (we are…Continue reading It’s happening…
The Successful Lieutenant Part Two: “Mission First”
Army Captain Christopher J. Courtney recently offered new lieutenants ten rules for success in his recent piece “The Successful Lieutenant.” This is the second part in my ten part series on his rules (here is the first). Put The Troops First. This rule is perhaps best summarized in a quotation from Field Marshal Sir William Slim. He was the commander of the British 14th Army in the Burma Campaign of World War II. I tell you as officers, that you will not eat, sleep, smoke, sit down, or lie down until your soldiers have had a chance to do these things. If you hold to this, they will follow you to the ends of the earth, if you do not, will break you in front of your regiments Quite simply, you put the needs of your troops ahead of your own with every chance you get. As a platoon leader, I had a simple rule in the field, no squad leader could eat until all of his soldiers had eaten, the platoon sergeant could not eat until all of the squad leaders had eaten, and I could not eat until the platoon sergeant had eaten. On the surface it appears a…Continue reading The Successful Lieutenant Part Two: “Mission First”