What have you done to better yourself?

Ace · 06-24-2008, 03:00 AM

What changes have you made in your life that has helped you.

Has something you've done specifically given you extra confidence, help you have an epiphany?

Self improvement is a big part of life. Tell us about it.

Treadstone · 07-27-2008, 03:54 PM

For the past few years, I've been in one bad situation after another. Then I got this job that paid very well. I went to the gym, I gained 40lbs in 6 months, I started buying clothes that I like and that fit me well. For the first time I had style and health. I felt good. I was cocky, arrogant, better than most people because look at me now and compare me to then.

I carried myself with what I felt was self respect. I was curteous, gentle, quiet (until you asked me a question). I walked straight, with no limp as to appear tough. I held my head high, and made slow and deliberate movements as though every movement was planned and I wasted no energy.

I met this woman and we hit it off. She was much older than I was, but I felt we did well together. She was beautiful and held herself the same way I held myself. She was curious and full of life. We seemed to be on the same level. I spent a few nights at her place. Then shortly after I lost my job. I had to stop working out. I suddenly had nothing to do nor anywhere to go. This self image I had created was slowly breaking away. A few months later, I was the same old weak, frail, cowardly little boy I had been before. I was embarassed to be around her. I'm greatful that she didn't turn her nose up and walk away.

I discovered a lot about myself. I was not the person I wanted to be on the inside. I was a sheep hiding in wolf's clothing. It really should have been the other way around. Four months later, I decided to join the Marines. I am now working at a decent job in IT, slowly building myself back and waiting for bootcamp. I'm slowly understanding what it is that went wrong about my self identity vs my ideal identity.

People tell me that I don't need the Marines to make me into who I want to be. They won't. I will take from the Marines the lessons and experiences to make myself into who I want to be. So that way, on the inside I am strong and no longer feel the need to hide who I truly am. The Marines just also happen to have all the tools I need to make myself the man I want to be, with the experience and credentials I desire, without putting me in debt until I'm dead.

joshbond · 07-27-2008, 04:33 PM

Great post TreadStone. Very inspirational and so true.
I think a lot of guys struggle with this same issue, even guys that you might see and think they have it all together. Sometimes its just a thin candy shell hiding their real self.

06-24-2008, 03:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ace New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 22 Rep Power: 0	What have you done to better yourself? What changes have you made in your life that has helped you. Has something you've done specifically given you extra confidence, help you have an epiphany? Self improvement is a big part of life. Tell us about it. __________________ For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer. ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

07-27-2008, 03:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Treadstone New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Carolina, for now Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Bettering myself is more difficult that it seems. For the past few years, I've been in one bad situation after another. Then I got this job that paid very well. I went to the gym, I gained 40lbs in 6 months, I started buying clothes that I like and that fit me well. For the first time I had style and health. I felt good. I was cocky, arrogant, better than most people because look at me now and compare me to then. I carried myself with what I felt was self respect. I was curteous, gentle, quiet (until you asked me a question). I walked straight, with no limp as to appear tough. I held my head high, and made slow and deliberate movements as though every movement was planned and I wasted no energy. I met this woman and we hit it off. She was much older than I was, but I felt we did well together. She was beautiful and held herself the same way I held myself. She was curious and full of life. We seemed to be on the same level. I spent a few nights at her place. Then shortly after I lost my job. I had to stop working out. I suddenly had nothing to do nor anywhere to go. This self image I had created was slowly breaking away. A few months later, I was the same old weak, frail, cowardly little boy I had been before. I was embarassed to be around her. I'm greatful that she didn't turn her nose up and walk away. I discovered a lot about myself. I was not the person I wanted to be on the inside. I was a sheep hiding in wolf's clothing. It really should have been the other way around. Four months later, I decided to join the Marines. I am now working at a decent job in IT, slowly building myself back and waiting for bootcamp. I'm slowly understanding what it is that went wrong about my self identity vs my ideal identity. People tell me that I don't need the Marines to make me into who I want to be. They won't. I will take from the Marines the lessons and experiences to make myself into who I want to be. So that way, on the inside I am strong and no longer feel the need to hide who I truly am. The Marines just also happen to have all the tools I need to make myself the man I want to be, with the experience and credentials I desire, without putting me in debt until I'm dead.

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07-27-2008, 04:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
joshbond New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Great post TreadStone. Very inspirational and so true. I think a lot of guys struggle with this same issue, even guys that you might see and think they have it all together. Sometimes its just a thin candy shell hiding their real self.