Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Humbled

Life is funny, I get to do a lot more than most and do most of it very well. But there are times when no matter how well things are going, humility comes knocking to reminded us how precious life’s gifts are and to take a few minutes to enjoy the results of our work with family and friends.

Without going to deep into it, I just finished my latest training program and have been released to the line and it feels great to be called captain again! Humility was there on my first flight after being released to the line. On take off, we had a flight control issue. Pete and I handled the issue using our training, but it was humbling to be told by the duty officer that we did a great job.

Another opportunity to gain insight from humility was while visiting with a good friend. He reminded me to slow down and enjoy the roses. I fought back at first, but in the end, began to understand his true meaning. It was humbling.

Life is precious, don’t take your family and friends for granted. Humility also reminds us that family and friends are to be enjoyed in the moment. You never know when they will be called home to our maker.

In short, living out loud and living hard, is normal, but always take the time to talk to friends and family and try to enjoy their roses. If you find me out of bounds, call me on it and in the end, you will receive a “Thank You” for the advice. And we might just share a laugh.

Nice post (thought) Brian ! We only get one trip through life (I think) so make the most of every day. While on your trip through life be sure to help some friends and family along the way.

Doc,
Helping those who are trying to help themselves is one of the most rewarding things I get to do.

As for the post, being told by a friend that I might have been a little misunderstood because of my hard charging ways, it needed to be said to help set things straight.

Very true Captain!

I found myself in the Baylor Plano emergency room this past Saturday and it was quite humbling to say the least. Nothing life threatening, but had to have a doctor perform a couple of very uncomfortable tasks. I had a bad`reaction to a post-op medication.

We do need to slow down and smell the roses more.

Thanks for the reminder.

ps: Congrats on the new airplane and status!

Poignant message, Brian. Thanks for sharing...sometimes I stack myself with so many projects at the farm I completely forget to stop and thoughtfully assess how fortunate I am for: The opportunity to own my spread; and how much I've really accomplished in five years. Sometimes I take it a step further, hold off on projects for a spell, and remember to invite family and friends to enjoy the ponds, fishing, campfires, etc. I don't do it often enough, though - this post reminds me to do so more frequently!

TJ, you and me both. Thanks for sharing Brian!

Great post guys! It's so easy to become "driven" to the point you drive right past whats really important. I've learned alot on this forum that really had nothing to do with ponds at all!

Yeah amen to that! Between me building my cabin and managing my pond and work and trying to get ready for hunting season and , and, and, it does seem we get a little to tied up for sure! Nothing I love more than seeing my boys catch fish out of my pond! A camp fire and some marshmallows! Can't wait till we can actually stay in the cabin. That will be fun!

Well to keep with the theme, I am inviting a few friends out to the cabin to go fishing this weekend. There is a chance of rain, but who cares, I'll be with friends!

Anyone in the area interested in some research, I mean fishing?

Brian get some of those buzz frogs man and tear them up!! I got mine at Gander M. Just FYI in case you cant find them. Have fun!!!

It's supposed to "rain"? Is that code for something or an inside joke?

Wonderful post Brian! Another saying - Life is fragile. Sometimes we forget or dont see all the things that are supporting it. It is always good to realize that life has a brake pedal to slow it down and enjoy the roses. Use that brake pedal folks. Enjoy those you love and life's simple pleasures!

2 weekends ago I hosted a get together from a shooting forum that I post on occasionally. It was the first time this year that I stopped to take a breath. 9 guys from as far away as NH made the drive (nobody other then myself and my nephew even resided in Indiana). One guy brought along his 7 year old son, and we had to constantly be on the watch for him going to the pond. He'e rather fish than shoot. They live in NC and after seeing my pond, building one has moved up on his "to do" list. I pointed him here for tips and information. Guys started rolling in on Thursday and the last one left on Tuesday.

The little one and another guy caught enough fish from the pond to feed everyone one night. The fish went from flopping to the oil within 1/2 hr. I picked up some locally grown sweetcorn and a dzn. ears didn't last long.




We went to the shooting range that I belong to on Saturday. The say started out with light rain, but it cleared up nicely. The wind was a bear that day. The furthest target is set up right in front of the trees all the way out there:


Here's a picture from the 1,000 yd target back to the shooting house. Unless you blow up the pic, you can't see the shooting house. (it's that black smudge in front of the trees way back there)



It wasn't planned, but we had the whole range to ourselves for the whole day. Here's some of the guys at the shooting benches:


It was a lot of work, but it felt good to take a break and enjoy good company for a weekend.

TJ, there is a 30% chance of rain out at our farm. I'll be there and a few friends are going to be there as well, so I figured I would extend the offer to my pondboss friends.


Scott, that looked like a hoot!!! Well done. I am a bit jealous, I have not been on a 1000 yard range for a while and I miss it.... time to add that to the list!

I always keep in mind that it’s about the journey not necessarily the results. I have found that if you slow down and learn, think and watch you make better choices. Enjoy the journey and take some others along with you !

Very true, during the road trip of life you need to pull over and get out to stretch your legs once in awhile. I've mentioned here before that I hand feed once a day rather than use a mechanical feeder, and while I'm convinced it's better that way where my fish are concerned, I can't discount the benefits it provides to me, personally.

Feeding time is my time, a chance to unwind, reflect on the day, and just catch my breath. Sure, I look around me and find stuff that needs to be mowed, cut down, dug out, treated, repaired, painted, removed, trapped, etc..... but it's becoming clear to me that those types of chores will ALWAYS be there, despite my best efforts to keep up with them.

I would like to think that it's wisdom gained with age, and not the physical effects of growing older, (I'm 46), that accounts for my changing outlook, but who knows....

What I am beginning to realize however, is that all of my hard work will be for naught if it leaves me no time to enjoy the fruits of my labors. Certainly I'm not willing to quit maintaining my property and ponds, but I seem to be able to find a little more time to go fishing with my kids these days, without worrying about what I think I should be doing instead. And I believe that's a good thing.

It is a wise thing for your soul !

LOL - good for you - wish we could get some of that so called "rain" up here. Hope you get all you can...