The forgotting art of honesty

Dear Honesty,

What is our fascination as a society with dishonesty? To family, friends, co-workers and most importantly the people we love?

We like to say that we do this to protect and not hurt another but in reality, it does the exact opposite. Whether in business or your personal life, this can be a slippery slope and we have all been guilty of it.

People will often do it without realizing the consequences. It is a safety method that we use to protect ourselves and avoid conflict. This can be from discussing a business deal with a partner, choosing a place to eat with friends or making plans with your significant other. We sometimes feel that not saying anything is the best policy. Now this can be true on most occasions, there’s nothing wrong by going with the flow on simple matters, it’s the ones where more is at stake that this openness needs to be unveiled.

The most attractive quality a human being can display is honesty. Not just too the people around them but to themselves. The vulnerability that it presents is what makes it such a special trait. It is a conversation from the heart, and nothing is more extraordinary. Overcoming the fear of honestly opening up to another is one of the most satisfying things in life. What you have to say may hurt that person at that moment, but the pain is far greater to them if you withhold it. We can all speak from experience on this.

In this day and age of social media and round the clock news people are constantly trying to show the rest of us that they live in a perfect world when in reality it is quite the opposite. The majority of society is afraid of being judged and that includes myself. We tend to show and tell people what we want them to hear, and not the truth for all the above-mentioned reasons. All this gets us is a few likes on Facebook or Instagram and a continued emptiness inside. Life is far greater than this. With that statement, I would like to present to you this:

My name is Marc Breckenridge and I’m 41 years old (I know I look way younger). I was born and raised in Woodland, CA and now call Chico home. Agricultural is my career of choice. Farming brings a smile to my face. I have a black lab named Cosby who is my road dog in life. I enjoy an ice cold by any given body of water. Spontaneous travel is my jam. I have been in love. I pray every morning. I have made my fair share of mistakes. I do my best to recognize these and work constantly to improve myself. I have a hard time putting what I mean into words sometimes. My friends are the world to me and I can never thank them enough for letting me into their lives. I constantly am tearing down walls from past experiences. Opening up to people, even those close has always been hard for me. I have a big heart and wear it on my sleeve for the people I love and care about. I’m pretty awesome (Well, at least for the most part).

See how easy that was? Put yourself on that ledge and try it sometime, you may never know who you will make smile because of it, and this my friends is priceless….

PS. Happy Friday peeps on my favorite holiday weekend! May you all get the chance to celebrate this great nation’s birthday and remember….We may have our differences but it is our flag that allows us these. God Bless.

#honesty #openess #family #friends #lovedones #america #4thofjuly #empireliving

Men, marriage and commitment. (You might want to grab a beer)

Dear commitment, 

Please refer to the following quote: 

“Men are so worried that marriage will leave them with “only one woman” for the rest of their lives. That’s simply not true. I fell in fell in love with a 19 year-old rock climber, married a 20 year-old animal lover, started a family with a 24 year-old mother, then built a farm with a 25 year-old homemake and today I’m married to a 27 year-old woman of wisdom. If your mind is healthy, you’ll never get tired of “one woman”. You will actually become overwhelmed with how many beautiful versions of her you get to marry over the years. Don’t say no to marriage, say yes and keep saying yes till the day you die.”  - Unknown

Now I asked you to read this in order to present you with this: 

There’s not a week that goes by that this conversation doesn't play out with an individual or a group of my friends that are either married or in a long term relationship. “Marc, you have the best life. You're single (when I am), live in a great town, can date who you want, do whatever you desire and don't have to answer to anyone, I wish I had your life!” (Why do they always forget the black dog?) 

“No you don’t” has always been reply. They look at me in astonishment and ask “why?” The answer is quite simple, and is most eloquently stated above. You have someone that you talk too everyday, a person to come home to after work, an individual to laugh, cry and share your fears and successes with. Most importantly you have a woman who loves you. That my friends is something that you can’t put a price on.  

The game can be fun for a while, but in the long run it’s exhausting. Dating, not having someone to talk too on a regular basis, cooking for one, the emptiness, traveling solo and constantly in search of that “plus one”  for weddings are just some fine examples of this. Really glamorous. That amazing wife isn't looking so bad right now is she??? 

 Nothing in life is more satisfying than a commitment to another individual, you hear me married friends! When you find this person you will know. It is the one that won’t “change” you as people like to say, but the soul that will help make you a better version of yourself each day. Now that is a beautiful thing. 

There will be ups and downs in every relationship. This is life, we are humans and as much as we like to think that we have our shit together, somedays we don’t. Always be open and work through your problems..together. Take her on dates, always communicate, hold her hand and never miss the opportunity to say I love you. Your relationship evolves each day, and with it comes something new, which only makes your bond stronger. Two people constantly improving, now who wouldn't want that for the rest of their lives? (Once again, do you hear me boys?) 

Although I believe the quote at the center of this conversation has less to do with marriage, but more about ones commitment to another individual and the excitement it brings each day, the guy nailed it either way. Thank you for sharing and God Bless. 

Ps. Happy hump day peeps on this scorcher in Northern California, stay hydrated whether is be water or an ice cold beer and remember….Following 12 fitness accounts after eating 7 tacos isn't exercise, but I will not question your effort. 

#commitment #marriage #inspiration #humpday #conversationswithfriends  #empireliving 

The Comey hearing: The CMA of politics

Dear Comey Senate Hearing, 

Usually today I find myself writing a recap of the annual CMA Awards Show giving you my take on the state of country music in Nashville. Instead, due to the Senate hearing concerning former FBI Director James Comey I would like to present to you my take on the current situation in Washington D.C. It includes the same drama, just no bad country music! Please enjoy. 

1. Show kicks off with Senator Warren blaming Russia for everything that is wrong in America except for Hillary, Obama and liberals. Same old Washington. 
2. Fake news and witch hunts are mentioned for the first time. This is like the “Taylor Swift” sighting at a country music awards show. 
3. Comey takes the stand. Someone get this guy a drink. 
4. He starts to rattle off his accomplishments, the highlight being putting Martha Stewart behind bars. Could be the oldest known millennial. 
5. 5 minutes into the show and Comey admits to the Donald not directly asking him to drop the Russian probe. We could stop the show right here and all the Senators could go back to work. Being this is Washington that would make too much sense.
6. Can we all have a senate hearing when we fail at our job?
7. Trump is currently sitting in the Oval Office and dropping a Mr. Burns from the Simpsons laugh every time Comey opens his mouth. 
8. Does Comey give a written record of his conversations with the President to Putin because that’s the Donald’s boss? 
9. In 3 years you have had exactly 3 conversations with your boss?! How do get this job?
10. Senator Warren takes the stage again using big, technical words. Very white of him. 
11. Comey claims the President needs to have his loyalty. No bandwagon fans in this administration. 
12. Trump allegedly whispers in Comey’s ear. I would have definitely swiped left. Great guy, it’s just the hair. 
13. Dinner next?! Isn't their a White House policy concerning dating in the workplace?
14. I still don't know who this “Flynn” is. Sounds like the latest duo destroying Nashville country music. 
15. With those writing skills, Comey may just get a guest appearance on this blog. 
16. The left rolls out Diane Feinstein, reminiscent of Nashville parading out Reba. You can’t fool me Washington D.C., you still suck. 
17. Alleged sex beads and oversized blue pinstriped suit jackets are the new Washington D.C. starter kit. 
18. Comey just claimed to be weak. This is why you are not the Director of the FBI. 
19. “This is a very good cloud. I will make a better cloud.” -Trump discussing Russia with Comey. 
20. Comey tells the president he has been very loyal. He repeats “loyal” 3 times to sound more like his boss. Kiss ass. 
21. “This should be the first scandal of my presidency!” -Little Marco Rubio. 
22. Waiting for Trump to walk into the Senate chambers holding a sign of a wall with the words “you’re next” as Senator Rubio speaks. 
23. Why is Senator Wyden mocking Elmer Fudd? 
24. Russia played a role in my coffee getting cold this morning. 
25. Diane Feinstein wins worst outfit in politics….Senator Collins: “Hold my beer.” 
26. Comey states that Russia will be back. Arnold smiles as the royalties keep rolling in. 
27. If this hearing was a drinking game I would have fell off my bar stool by now. 
28. “I did not have sexual relations with Russia.” -Donald Trump 
29. Kamala Harris is this hearings version of Florida/Georgia Line. 
30. 3 hours later and President Trump still didn't ask Comey to drop the Russian investigation no matter how many old white men and women ask him. It is like George Strait winning an award at the end of the night, we all knew the answer from the very start. 
31. Did I mention I hate Florida/Georgia Line??? 

If this hearing proved anything it was that we as a country have a long ways to go before we are great again. We are one nation, a single flag and endless possibilities. Hanrwork and determination make this possible and quit is not in an American’s vocabulary. God Bless. 

Ps. Happy Thursday peeps, I hope you enjoyed this and wishing y'all an amazing weekend and remember…..Do all the things that scare you, because they’re worth it. 

#comey #trump #fbi #senatehearing #russia #putin #washingtondc #empireliving