You can't be jealous or envious.

[glen]

I have a beautiful wife that puts up with me and all my bad habits, 2 boys that are at times my best buddies and sometimes a pain in the rear, a place to hunt and fish and a place to lay my head. Have a job that I enjoy coming to and get lots of time off to chase ducks and redfish. Although I have to watch my bank account and on occasion go work a little overtime I consider myself rich.

Mery Chrismas to all- think Ill overeat in the morning, come to work, then go duck hunting at the coast with my boys for a week.

[EarleyBird]

I can honestly say that has never bothered me. Can't everybody be the boss. find a happy medium that is applicable to your own self and just be content.

I have never ever once looked at somebody else and thought, "Boy, if I'd just worked harder I could be him."

Those are the wrong goggles to view the world through.

[AtTheWall]

Matt, I can make a phone call and in days, be fishing world-class scenes, coast to coast! Some of these opportunities, can put me on a rifle or bowhunt if I asked!

I rarely use my network but, you have the exposure and ability, to develop this same option as I have. I have 20 years of networking, and many of my ex-military friends, communicate to me as many of the more serious types do. Low profile, phone and or directed email only.

Use your time inside to develop that small niche of close, like friends!

Also use that time to network business opportunities.

I was fortunate, I served 20 years, using day 1, as my networking - stay connected driver. I have friends from Alaska to Florida, all of them have and will continue to offer opportunities to me as well as I providing the same to them!

Make your service time work for you! It's a chance and networking opportunity, many do not have and will never have, to extend the outdoor interest!

When you work with someone from Tok Alaska, Billings Montana and or Redding California (for example), you have a very unique opportunity to develop a friendship and or outdoor opportunity for life!

This is how I served my Service Time. I have several dozen friends that I stay in touch with, strictly by Text and or EMail

Develop] that list while your serve, with an open demeanor to all that share the same interests!

[Mambajeep]

More money, more problems

[HoustonR6ryda]

Dad always told me to appreciate jealousy and envy -it means your doing something they cant-I hate when I find out its someone I thought was OK family/close co-worker. I find that younger guys want everything they see fast. We call them the microwave baby generation(25-35).

[kumathebear]

I think most all of us have had these thoughts at some time in our life...I call it "The What If" syndrome.

At one time in my life, not so long ago, I was making SO much $$ I had every "toy" I could want. I had it all...ranch, lake house, new truck, boat, Sea do's, new truck, etc., etc., then it all changed in 2010. Big job lay off...selling what I worked so hard to accumulate. Then divorce in 2013...sold the ranch.

Now I'm selling land and living on a commission life style. BUT, it's what I love doing and I have all I need! My son's and their ladies are in good health, got 1 grandson and another on the way. I have a GREAT lady with a BIG, GOOD heart....NO "mass" of toys anymore, but I finally GREW up and realize...."surround yourself with those who really care about you, love your family & friends worth having, learn to enjoy simply what you have...." Nothing else really matters! God Bless

[Hondo427]

I'm blessed in a lot of ways. Wanting to hunt more and have more money to spend on family outings is what drives me to be better. You could say that it's the best possible motivator to work hard.

X2 Exactly how I feel

[BowFed2014]

Speedgoat, I am one of those guys that spent a little extra time studying and worked a little harder to get through med school. I come from middle class roots. My parents payed for my college but I worked during that time to have some extra cash. That is all I was "given." I live a life and do things I never dreamed I would be able to do. I make a great living but not sure I would call it huge money. I know many people who make my income look pretty small. Sometimes I get jealous of those guys but then I realize I do almost everything I want and have a job I enjoy every day. I get to deliver babies, help people and become an important part of their lives. What could be better than that? I do try to give back to the community and my patients in any way I can. Don't feel bad about jealousy, it happens. Use that as fuel to work harder and embrace the blessings you have. I am truly happy but it took a long time to get here. At times I become envious of the guys on here with beautiful wives and kids. I very well may never have that. No money will ever be able to give me a child or wife. I am ok with that if it never happens, tried marriage once and failed miserably. All I can say is be happy for your friend and make yourself the best man you can be. I hope my ramblings make sense. Merry Christmas!

Well Said....

[Burnadell]

Ted Jones

I have this framed in my office...a picture of Ted Jones, our former managing partner and the son of our founder, who could have chosen to sell Edward Jones for gazillions many times, but instead, basically gave the company to the employees. We are a partnership, and only employees are partners. Ted was a great humanitarian and man:



I am the richest man in America.
I have a wife who loves me in spite of all my faults.
I have 4 dogs; 2 love only me. One loves everybody. One loves no one but is still very loyal.
I have a horse I love to ride around the farm and best of all, she comes to me when I call her.
I have to much too eat and a dry place to sleep.
I enjoy my business!!
I love my farm and my home!
I have a few close friends and money has never been my God!!
Ted Jones (1925-1990)

[Speedgoat]

Great words from an admirable man