Leadership defined in 500 words

Dear Donald Trump,

What defines a leader….

Leadership is having faith in this nation and the men and women who call it home. For too long we have been divided and those previously in power worked to drive that wedge deeper among we the people. We are one country, one flag and let us never forget that.  

Leadership is removing bureaucracy and red tape, thus allowing American companies to do business in the country they call home again. Like the food movement….Think local, buy local.

Leadership is investing in real education to supply the labor force for these businesses that want to call our nation home again. Consumers want to buy American, but they don’t want to purchase something of lesser quality just because it says “made in the USA” on it. More trade schools and graduates of these and less liberal arts majors will benefit us all.

Leadership is not defining someone by race, religion or lifestyle. It is seeing everything in red, white and blue. (This is trademarked, so don’t get any ideas.)

Leadership is having the ability to not letting the loud minority interfere with the agenda of the majority. Protesting is your right as a citizen. Destroying property that isn’t your own is not.

Leadership is honoring the men and woman who serve and protect this country. It’s standing up to recognize a fallen solider and his family no matter what your political ideologies might be.  

Leadership is admitting to yourself that we have fallen as a nation. Our infrastructure continues to crumble and past promises to put Americans too work to fix it have never materialized. Our roads and highway system is the lifeblood of commerce in this nation. Dams and other structures should be a priority, not an afterthought. We need to stop being the GoFundMe account for the rest of the world and once again think locally.

Leadership is saying the words “radical Islamic terrorist” and not worrying about offending someone. It is admitting that we have enemies and they will stop at nothing to harm us as individuals and as a nation. If you are offending by words, then you are part of the problem.

Leadership is not being afraid to do something unpopular and keeping the promises you have made to the people who put you in office. The days of campaign rhetoric are over. The ability to follow through is what this country needs.

Leadership is everything that was exhibited on stage last night in the President’s first address to Congress. We as a country have been starving to have someone in the oval office that puts the United States first on his or her agenda. Accountability along with honesty and integrity is something that has been lacking in Washington, D.C. for quite some time, so I’m asking you Mr. President to continue with this momentum that you exhibited last night and remember….Actions speak louder than words, and we the people will be watching. God Bless America.

Ps. Happy hump day peeps from the black dog and myself to you and remember….Sunshine is always a good idea.

#President #Trump #addresstocongress #makeamericagreatagain #unitedstates #empireliving 

Why liberals can't have nice things

Dear UC Berkeley terrorists,

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. It is a belief that this country was founded on. Many have died defending this nation against adversaries both foreign and domestic to ensure that this right will never be taken from us. Unfortunately, there is a new enemy that turned the birth place of free speech into a bastion of hate. It goes by the name “liberal extremist”.  The same people who preach acceptance and equality transformed the campus of UC Berkeley into a war zone due to the fact that they didn’t agree with someone’s opinion that was something other than their own…How very liberal of you.

What did you accomplish by destroying a city and preventing someone’s ability of free speech? The answer is you provoked a movement far stronger than your own. This same campaign is what put Trump in the White House and turned the table of both Congress and the Senate into the Republican’s favor.

You see, the American people were fed up with hope and change. They were looking for someone to lead this country based on his or her campaign promises, not just lip service. Love Trump or hate him, he is doing exactly what he said he would do, which is attempt to make America great again, career politicians please take note.

Donald Trump is not what is wrong with this country, fanatic liberals are. The generation of “everyone gets a trophy” is tearing apart the fabric of this great nation and the actions on the campus of UC Berkeley is an example of this. 8 years ago, I didn’t agree with Obama’s policies and direction he wanted to take this country when he was elected President. Chico didn’t burn down because of this. It’s amazing what the values of winning and losing will have on a person.

Since the President assumed office a few weeks ago, not a single right or freedom has been taken from an American citizen. We all still share the privilege to vote, pay taxes, love who you want and pray to whomever your God is. Contrary to what the media and these leftist zealots want you to believe the office of the presidency does not give the man currently in office the ability to do what he wants. Checks and balances were put into place 241 years ago, by people far greater than you and I to prevent this.

In a time when racial and gender equality should be something you read about in history books the left continues to divide this country. The lessons learned of failure and defeat has skipped an entire generation and the only one that suffers is us as a country.

Our individuality is what separates us from other nations. The freedoms that our afforded to us as citizens of the United States allow us to do things that others only dream of. Let us fight as a majority to protect these freedoms and not bow down to the oppression of the liberal few. God Bless the United States of America…

PS. Happy Pre-Friday peeps, being proud of your beliefs doesn’t make you a racist, it makes you an American and remember….If you have the courage and you have the heart, that hero just might be you. Thank you, Waylon Jennings.

#Berkeley #UCBerkeley #Trump #whiteoppresion #liberals #extremists #liberalterrorists #hipsterconservative #empireliving

Resolutions that we can all get behind

Dear 2017, 

Resolutions are pledged by many of us as one year comes to a close and another opens with new possibilities. Things like go to the gym, eat better or drink less come to mind. Most have great intentions to stick with these plans from the start but always seem to fade into their old habits. Change is probably the toughest thing for a human to do. It’s scary, we get so use to our routines and forget that in order move forward in life we must constantly evolve. I’m guilty of it. This year though, I am going to share with you the changes that I will be implementing in my life and I will keep you updated on my progress….

1. Think before I speak: This has always been a struggle for me. Sometimes I say things that hurt people and not realize it till after the damage has been done. Masking it with sarcasm is an excuse I plan on no longer using. Along with getting professional help (yes, you heard that right peeps), I’m asking you guys to call me out if you see me doing it. We all get by with a little help from our friends. 

2. Say “I love you” more: To your significant other, friends or family that you love, this phrase never gets old. We tend to not use it enough and assume that the people we do love already know how you feel about them. Those 3 words can change someone’s day and put a smile on their face. Use them generously, the results will be tremendous. 

3. Listen: This skill is so powerful yet so hard to master as a male. I am a problem solver by nature but need to realize that sometimes I don't need to offer answers when the person you love has a problem or just wants to talk. Simply sitting there quiet and actively listening to what they have to say is the only thing they desire at that moment. Doing so will strengthen your relationship, thus brighten your future. 

4. Focus: On relationships, work, hobbies, etc. My ADD gets the better of me on occasions and I find myself not putting 100% to the task at hand sometimes, which I never want to do. Writing helps me with this so plan on more material in the coming year. 

5. Open up: As someone who has been on there own from a young age I sometimes have issues sharing things with those closest to me. When a problem arises, confide in that person you trust. Getting it out in the open can prevent small issues from becoming larger ones. The ability to communicate one on one with another person is a humans greatest asset and we don't use it enough. 

6. Be humble: I sometimes cross that line between confidence and cockiness. A man’s ego can get in the way both socially and professionally and the results are never good. If you see me doing this throat punch me. I’ll know that I deserved it. 

7. Happiness: I know this maybe cliche but stop and take a moment and appreciate the people, dogs and things you have in your life. God put them there for a reason, which is to make you smile so do so, because one day may be gone. 

8. Make America Great: I love this country, it’s flag, my guns and the people who defend it every day. We are all one and need to start acting that way. Until we accomplish this we are just another country. Let’s not let those great men who created this nation 240 years ago down. Merica. 

2016 the struggle was real for us all. Here’s to family, friends, loved ones and popping bottles as we open a new chapter. God Bless and I love you peeps! 

PS. I hope y'all have an amazing weekend, stay bundled it’s going to be a cold one and raise your glasses to what to com and remember…..This isn’t my first rodeo, says the person at there second. 

#newyears #newyearseve #deuces2016 #hello2017 #resolutions #empireliving 

My Jerry Maguire moment...

Dear Self, 

(I’m going to go against my own rules of social media & discuss something personal with you.) 

My name is Marc Breckenridge and I have a problem. I have a penchant for driving away those who care the most about me. When things are good, I can find a way to destroy them and in the process, hurt deeply those who care about me the most. 

Why do I do this??? My answer to myself over the years is that it’s a self-protection method, it is my way of letting people close, but not close enough to eventually hurt me, when in reality I’m the one that is causing the suffering. I will say things to family, friends or a loved one and find myself questioning those words a moment later. They are not meant to be hurtful, but when I slowdown and analyze it, I realize that it is quite the opposite. Which is wrong to all parties involved. 

The real problem is a lot of times I don't realize that I'm doing it. In conversation or when I find myself joking around I use sarcasm as a defense mechanism that while I feel it may be playful and funny at times, it ends up hurting the other person. Sometimes in ways I may never know. 

Have you ever heard of the “quicksand” effect? You know what I’m talking about, when something you say hurts the other, they retaliate with words that they know will hurt you and this process repeats itself until both are mad and full of hate and anger towards the other…quicksand….The faster you try to get out, the deeper you find yourself. It is in this dark place that people who care about one another are not suppose to be. Add alcohol to this mix and the effect only greatly enhances itself. To best find your way out of this situation is just like rescuing yourself from real quicksand….Slow down. Think before you speak and most importantly know that you love and care about that other person so why on earth would you do or say anything to hurt them? It’s something we all learn as children but for some reason I and others sometimes forget about it as an adult.  

Here’s a personal example of what I’m talking about… I believe the words I used in a conversation with a loved one recently were, “Oh, I’m the failure?” In no way would I ever use this in a serious tone towards this person or to any other I care about. In my mind, it was meant to be sarcasm, but in reality it hurt the person I would never want to harm. Small words can have the most impact both positive and negative. Sometimes not saying a word at these moments is best, you may or may not know what this person is going through. 

As I continue to run off all the people who have genuinely loved me over my lifetime I sit here and ponder where I will be years from now. Will I be old, lonely and full of regret or do I fix this “fault” that I have carried with me my entire life? 

If you are a betting person, I would lay the mortgage on the latter. Constant self-improvement doesn't happen over night as much as we all would like it too. It takes hard work, and continuing to own up to your mistakes. Gains however small can be great, especially when the end result is a smile on the faces of the people you love and cherish the most. God Bless….

Ps. Thank you peeps for allowing me this forum to break away from the norm and discuss an issue like this. I know I’m not the only one out there and if this can help just one person then it is a win for everyone involved…Call it Christmas magic and remember….Fight for the fairy tale, it does exist…Believe that. 

#selfimprovement #identifytheproblem #gains #thrive #merrychristmas #empireliving 

The human aspect of this election cycle

Dear people of America, 

Every four years we get to do something special in this country and the only requirement is that you are a citizen of the United States. With that honor you have a chance to change the world. It doesn't matter your ethnicity, who you chose to love or how much money you have in your bank account. With the simple strike of a pen, we all have the power to put America back on track. 

Now I’m not saying that either of these stellar candidates that the current ruling parties of our political system has presented us will be the leader that we so desperately need as a country, but by not partaking in the process you have only yourself to blame for when we fail as a nation and can claim no credit when we succeed. It’s that simple. 

Stereotypes have never been more prevalent than this election cycle. If you're white, a redneck or old, you are voting for Trump. If you're black, a women or a millennial, you are voting for Clinton…WRONG. The media is their to report on what they perceive as election news, it shouldn’t make your political decisions for you. An experience I had reaffirmed my faith in this. I recently had a conversation in my travels with guy who was raised in Chicago and currently resides in Atlanta. We discussed for hours topics that ranged from sports to politics and what we both realized is our political views were identical in most aspects. One of us a black man from the inner city and the other a white guy raised on a farm. Isn't it funny how two people from completely different backgrounds can agree on something? We didn't need CNN or FOX news to tell us that, all we needed was our intelligence and our love for this country. 

Don’t vote for someone because they are a women or are a businessman. Vote for who YOU think will make this country great. Throw party beliefs aside and use that God given ability of “intelligent thought” to make your decisions. Please don't limit this to your presidential nomination, but to all other choices put forth before you on that ballot.

My political beliefs lean neither right or left. The only direction they angle towards is what is best for the United States. This is where our current political environment has failed us. We worry more on what will secure votes and money for our coffers rather than what will make this nation healthy again. 

This election has proven that we may not always be smart as Americans but we are resilient and passionate in what we believe in. I always say that we need a game changer to step forward and right this ship we call home and currently that person is you the American voter. The only people who can take this country back is you. Get out there and make the United States great. God Bless and I approved this ad. 

Ps. Happy Tuesday peeps on this election day. Get out there and accomplish some change for all of us and remember…..This drink isn't going to refill itself. 

#Unitedstates #election2016 #trump #hillary #vote #makeamericagreat #empireliving 

Forgetting the concept of a "TEAM"

Dear Colin Kaepernick, 

Sports matter. They are what is right in this country. On fields across the nation boys and girls of all ages participate in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. and learn values that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It is in the realm of organized sports that we learn what winning and losing is. Most importantly it teaches children at a young age the concept of a “TEAM”. You see, if you are on a team, their is no race, color, religion or politics. You are all brothers and sisters with one common goal in mind…Winning. No one is greater than the “TEAM” as a whole, no matter what their talent level is, because without their teammates they can achieve nothing. There’s no “black lives matter” or “white privilege”. Only do your job to the best of your ability and win or lose, know you left everything on the field in the name of “TEAM”. 

You see Colin, this is where you failed. I don't dislike you for not standing during the National Anthem and I don't despise you for your asinine comments concerning law enforcement in this country. I don't even resent you for being “oppressed” while making more in a year than most Americans will make in lifetime. It is your 1st Amendment right to say the things you've have said whether I or others like me like them or not. It’s what makes this country great, we are allowed to have an opinion on a given subject, and at the end of the day if we agree or not, we are all Americans and God Bless that. The reason I hate you is because you failed at the concept of “TEAM”. You put yourself and your opinion above everyone else on your “TEAM”. 

Instead of answering questions concerning how to improve your performance on the field and ways you think you can help your teammates this upcoming season, you have now put all the focus on you. A 2nd string quarterback that might not even make the “TEAM”. Why have you forgot what we all learned on the same fields growing up? 

If this subject was so dear to you and has shaped your life, where was this stance when you were actually relevant? You know when you were the starting quarterback of a Super Bowl caliber team and raking in the endorsement money. When you were strutting down red carpets in Hollywood and cashing checks. I’m guessing the money and fame were a better option than Malcolm X lids and Fidel Castro shirts. This would of been the time to best get your message across. People tend to pay more attention to leaders, not someone who maybe looking for a job at cutdown day. 

Instead of given a person who has failed at the “TEAM” concept so much run, I like to focus on the ones who haven't forgot what sports and “TEAM” is all about. Football made it possible for a young man named Travis Rudolph to change the life of a child with autism. He decided that the one kid eating alone needed company and sat down next to him. Their was no mention of a black man or a white juvenile only of a human being making another better. This is what “TEAM’ is all about, this is what makes sports great. 

If we all used the “TEAM” concept that we learned as youths this country would not have to be made great again, it still would be. Parents, get your kid off the numerous electrical devices that dominate their lives and get them outside, we need more Travis Rudolph’s in this world….GO TEAM! 

Ps. Happy Friday peeps on this start to Labor Day weekend. Get out there and enjoy that sun and remember If I have not texted you in a while, I probably haven't drunk. Be ready for a novel this weekend. 

#colinkaepernick #49ers #nfl #team #opression #kaepernick #empireliving 

Help Wanted: Leadership in a time of need

Dear people who call the United States home, 

240 years ago a group of remarkable men came together and formed the greatest country this world has ever seen and we been unsuccessful in every sense of the word to carry on that legacy. 

What happened to the United States? How have we failed our forefathers as a nation? These questions need to be answered now and addressed more than at any point and time in our history. 

Everyday the moral fabric of our society continues to erode. The divide that has been driven between all of us widens. Who is at fault for this?…WE ARE. 

Politicians we vote into office lack the leadership that this nation needs. With each passing election cycle, the choices we make weaken this country. Instead of bringing us together when tragedy happens, they use their personal rhetoric and political agenda to drive us apart. 

Their decisions have made us choose sides based on things such as the color of our skin or the person we pray too when the only side we should be on is that of the United States of America. It’s that simple. The lack of leadership has led us to become a country of hate towards one another. 

Where have the great ones gone? Names like Lincoln, Kennedy, King and Reagan were game changers for this country in times of need. They knew what to say, and the response needed in order to guide us through each crisis that presented itself. They laid blame on those responsible, not on an agenda. Traits lacking in our current president and each of his future successors. 

Not everyone in this world is good. Focusing on ridding it of these people is what we should do as a civilized society. Killing innocent men, women and children of all walks of life for your own personal agenda is not what I am talking about. This makes you part of the problem and thus you should be handled accordingly. 

The actions of one does not dictate a whole. Hate will never be defined by gender, color or religion. It is defined by and individual or group that wants to cause harm to its fellow men and women. How we react to their actions characterizes us all. Until we accept that we are doomed to fail as a country. 

Hate killed 49 innocent people in Orlando. Hate killed 5 police officers in Dallas. Hate will kill this country is we let it. I challenge you today to reach out to someone you wouldn't normally acknowledge. Say hi, ask how their day is going, buy them a drink or simply lend a smile. It is amazing how random acts of kindness that seem so small can have such a profound impact on an individual and their perception of you. God bless peeps and pray for the United States. 

PS. Happy Friday peeps on this short work week. Give someone a hug today, farmer or not and keep Dallas in your thoughts and remember….Two bears can’t live in one cave. What bear are you? 

#Dallas #shooting #police #violence #UnitedStates #pray #obama #leadership #empireliving