The Keurig has been working overtime in my suite overlooking the Atlantic. Power point presentations and moderator duties have taken precedence over what I normally am consumed with during December. I have been stuck in either an airport, hotel suite, or a conference room for what seems like eons. Even my writing, which normally takes place in my den among many books and artifacts, has been conducted at some business desk with “spotty” wifi connections for what seems like weeks. I can’t ever remember being away from the swamp and the slough this long during the peak of the rut my entire life. As I’ve said before though, when you work for the man and Jimmye reminds you of early deadlines, again, the typing begins. No worries, for we all know, all things come to an end including business travel at some point……I hope.
Maybe there is a reason for not sitting on a limb or in a blind throughout the winter months. Maybe since this will be the first article that will come to you in the year 2020, it is all together fitting to talk about more than just experiences from the field. An insight of what comes from this daunting business travel and the sweat of our labor may just put some things in perspective for all of us. I will explain.
Many years ago, I was awakened around five o’clock one morning while I was in college. There were no cell phones back then and I remember knocking the phone off my night stand as fumbled for it in the darkness. As I came to grips with the receiver, I was finally able to mutter the words “hello” in still my fully asleep voice. I will never forget the question that came from the other end of the line as my grandfather uttered the horrible words, “you up?” My reply, “naw, I’m not up, what time is it?” I’ll never forget his statement and I share it often as I will now. In his exact words he instilled in me what I adhere too even now. He said, “until you get up before the sun comes up and have a cup of coffee and a biscuit, you’ll never amount to a damn thing.” He continued, “you can work til midnight, but if you miss part of the “day,” you’ll never get a full “day’s” work in.” Then he abruptly hung up. I was left laying in my bed wondering what all this fuss was about.
My roommate, Jimmy, heard all the chatter and walked down to my room to see if everything was alright. We both thought he was crazy, for just a little while. It then dawned upon me that maybe he was right. We both decided to take his advice and we began getting up before daylight, making coffee, preparing for class and so on. We got into a routine that may have changed both of our lives.
About a week later my phone rang again, and yes, before dawn. I chipperly answered and it was my same ole working grandfather wondering if I was up. I told him I was, and his brief reply came in the form, “I’s just checkin,” and he hung up. I just chuckled and went about my business.
I’ve always said, what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander. Jimmy suggested we call my grandfather one morning to make sure he was practicing what he preached. I still remember him answering the phone with his weathered voice. When I asked if he was up, his reply of “son, I’m on my second biscuit” confirmed he was not all hat with no cattle. He worked hard and was a good cotton grower. There is no doubt his influence helped me tremendously in my work ethic. So maybe all is not lost in this fancy hotel as I pound it out, trying to get back home.
I have mentioned before of what it takes to be able to travel with stick and string or rifle and case to foreign destinations to listen to the bugle or experience the mountain. What I refer to as sacrificing, due to relentless meetings, is really paving the path to be able to do these things. Even in one of my presentations, I repeated to my audience what my dad said to me many times. His profound statement carries as much weight with me as my grandfather’s advice. In his words, “if you take care of your job, your job will take care of you.” I think this is self-explanatory, but oh how meaningful this concise advice was and still is. You’re welcome to share this with whomever you wish.
Have you all heard of Mr. T. Boone Pickens? If you haven’t, I won’t go into who this man was, but I would encourage to “google” him and read about the man he was and what he stood for. Mr. Pickens shared a final message before he passed away on September 11, 2019. I wont spoil it for you by sharing all of it here, but I will bring out a few excerpts that I refer to often for inspiration. And I quote, “a good work ethic is critical for success.” Another is, “be willing to make decisions. This is the most important quality in a good leader. Avoid the ready-aim-aim-aim syndrome. You have to be willing to fire.” “Don’t look to the government to solve problems-the strength of this country is in it’s people.” “Learn from mistakes. Remember the doors that smashed your fingers the first time and be more careful the next trip through.” One of my favorites is “Be humble. I always believed the higher a monkey climbs in the tree, the more people below can see his ass. You don’t have to be that monkey.” And finally, “have faith, both in spiritual matters, in humanity, and in yourself. That faith will see you through the dark times we all navigate.”
These are just a few of his key principles that he lived by. Please do yourself a favor and find his last letter and read it. I have a printed copy in my truck if that tells you how much I appreciate what he said. Maybe you will do the same.
I will be home, hopefully, by the time you read this. I’ll get back on track with stories from the field and maybe slip back into my haunt before it all comes to a close. Here’s to wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2020. I hope it’s a good one for you. Until next time enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
