- hooky: (definition) unjustifiable absence from
  school or work, etc.

We have all had to go to school, and nobody promised any of us a rose garden! In the year 2008, we live in a world economy, which means more competition for jobs, and the days of job security in the United States are gone forever!

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."  Malcolm Forbes 

For over a decade or so, I have lost six jobs, all for legitimate reasons such as; defense cuts; companies closing; down-sizing; out sourcing, etc. I have never been fired from a job because of attitude, attendance or anything else. Here, in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA) where I live, we have had large companies close or move out of town during the past decade and include; Motorola; Seimens; Digital; Philips Semi-Conductors; Trend Technologies; EG&G; Plastech and the last large company to close its doors was the AOL (call center), that employed over 1,000 people, and had been in town since 1996,

Many years ago, and during one of my job interviews, I was asked the following question: "What is one of the most important things you have accomplished in your life so far?" The answer was easy. "Quit smoking," I told the interviewer. (See: Smoking Sucks: How I Quit Smoking) It took me about 10 months to quit, and

it took DISCIPLINE! In 2001, I lost 40 pounds...and it took DISCIPLINE, too! (See: Here's the Skinny On How I Lost 40 Pounds) Young people out there will have to exercise DISCIPLINE to stay in school, if they want to succeed in life, etc. One of the most important things I learned during the four years I was in the U.S. Air Force was...DISCIPLINE!

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make." Les Brown

Peer-pressure is not just for teen-agers. The ugly face of peer-pressure will follow us all to the grave, by those who want us to go a different direction with our lives. Discipline is required to fight off peer-pressure by those who want to get you in trouble, or take you down into the gutter with them.

Always remember that old saying, "misery loves company!" "You can't do it!" Whether it's losing weight; quitting smoking; making the team; auditioning for the orchestra, there will always be people who say that you can't do it! I refer to these people as, "the little minds of the world," and when somebody tells me I can't do something, it motivates and makes me more determined to accomplish my goals!

In the year 2008, the world economy, brings with it, more competition for jobs. My father died in 1996, and he worked for General Electric for over 35 years. Those days of job secruity are gone forever. Furthermore, most companies today, are not offering a benefit packages nor pensions, either, etc. One thing is certain...employers are demanding more from their employees! For the lack of a better word...everyone knows that the cost of education today is OBSCENE!

"No one is so poor today as an ignorant person."  Hebrew proverb

How do parents put their kids through college today with all the greed? I encourage young people to get their education where they can; community college; correspondence courses; military; school of hard knocks, etc. Today, young people, have to realize that there is going to be a life-time of learning, to stay on this fast-moving train we're all on, etc.

"There's no security on earth...only opportunity." Douglas MacArther

Here are a couple of facts that I hope will inspire young and old as well...

- In my 40's, I went back to the books and completed three writing courses; the Writer's Digest course; the National Writers Club course; and a creative writing course at the University of New Mexico. This all took about 18 months.

- In my 50's, as the computer revolution came upon us, I completed the following; Windows 3.1; Word 6.0 and WordPerfect 5.1 and this took about 18 months as well. In school or anything else...winners are never quitters...and quitters are never winners. Don't break the promise to yourself, and finish the job you started. Here are a few encouraging tips I can offer:

- Nothing worthwhile doing comes easy. If you fall down, find the courage to get up and continue on.

- Never use the word, "fail" but use, "set-back" instead. - Think for yourself...and think positive. - Remember, "misery loves company," so don't hang around the wrong crowd and STAY OFF DRUGS!

- Believe in yourself! People who don't even try are the failures in life...so feel good about yourself! (See: Believe in Yourself) So, decide what you want in life, and don't let anyone distract you from reaching your goals and your dreams. To all the young people out there...stay in school...you won't regret it! Remember, you're always number ONE to yourself...YOU CAN DO IT!

"The mediocre teacher tells; the good teacher explains; the superior teacher demonstrates; and the great teacher inspires!"  William Arthur Ward

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