I Read This Story About A 17 Year Old Flynn Blackie, And It Made Me Remember The Reasons Why I Became Successful.
What the heck does Ronald Regan have to do with any of this?
So you understand what’s going on, I’ll start out with a brief preface. This story, the reason I’m writing it at least, everything about it, all happened because of another story, written by an author on Medium. A very talented author.
He wrote a story about an email exchange with Flynn Blackie (a dope 17-year-old Scottish kid):
So, without further ado, let me properly give a shout-out to the genius behind the story.
Ash Jurberg, this was a great story, pure and simple. Very well written and straight to the point, you two never cuddling each other once and just spoke cordially. It’s amazing what can be accomplished by just getting to the point.
It also seems that young Flynn Blackie was correct in his assumption that you were the one who needed to write his story. I resonated with aspects of Flynn’s story and background, but I also learned a lot of wisdom from you, Ash.
This is how I related to it…
I was young and learned quickly. That didn’t matter though, because no one would take my advice. Unlike Flynn, it took me a few extra years to achieve success in my respective niche/career, but nevertheless, I did end up meeting my goals. In fact, I far exceeded them.
About those who wrote me off…
They wrote me off because they assumed something about somebody they didn’t get the chance to know.
That can be a fatal mistake or a career saving dodge, but there’s ways to vet someone without completely writing them off.
A few years later, on a Monday morning that I’ll never forget, I received an email from someone who works in the same industry as me. I’ll spare you the story and just tell you yes, it was one of those who wrote me off so fast when I approached them for advice. I’m sure you can see where this is going, so to get to the point of it, I emailed him back and arranged a call.
We spoke for about an hour or so, then he made a remark, saying that he felt like we had met before.
I kept mentioning things that would connect us, like acquaintances that we both knew back then who were no longer in the business.
Honestly, I was getting irritated thinking: “Really, you still haven’t put the puzzle together yet?” I gave him so many clues… I realized that this was childish and ignorant of me anyway, so I shamefully recounted the time that we met.
He remembered now.
Funny thing is, he was essentially asking/pitching the same thing I originally intended to pitch to him. He was asking for my help with something that, when the shoe was on the other foot and I needed a hand up, he didn’t even have the decency to respond.
So, what did I do? Did I say F-U and hang the phone up? That certainly would have stroked my ego, although I knew it would eat at me if I did it. Instead, I offered to give my full support and guidance. Harboring hate is bad for your health.
Holding onto a resentment is like drinking the poison, hoping that the other person dies.
In the end, you’re only hurting yourself. Does that mean I was willing to just welcome this man in with open arms?
No, not at all, but it taught me a valuable lesson. I had heard this phrase before, (you probably have as well, it’s kind of famous), and I always liked it. Not only did I like it, but I also took it as words of great wisdom and implemented them into my everyday encounters and with every decision I make.
I’m 28 now, so I wasn’t alive when this happened, yet I live my life according to the principle behind this simple, yet powerful phrase former President Ronald Regan said during a speech.
The first time I heard it was during my freshman year of High School, in my favorite teacher’s history class.
“Trust, but verify”
But the importance of this treaty transcends numbers. We have listened to the wisdom in an old Russian maxim. And I’m sure you’re familiar with it, Mr. General Secretary, though my pronunciation may give you difficulty. The maxim is: Dovorey no provorey — trust, but verify.
The General Secretary. You repeat that at every meeting. [Laughter]
The President. I like it. [Laughter]
— > A section of Ronald Regan’s speech: Remarks on Signing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Here’s the transcript for the entire speech. I encourage you to read it, it’s quite short (perhaps a 5-minute read) considering how Presidential speeches can drone on and on for hours at times.
I’m a Millennial, but since this story was inspired in part by a Gen-Z, I had to include this as well. It’s only a 40-second video, so why not?
The famous phrase, “Trust, but verify,” was coined that day. At least for Americans, it was…
As my age dictates, I certainly wasn’t alive when former President Ronald Regan said those famous words regarding the Russians on live T.V.
Nor am I a particular fan of the policies he and his Administration put out, but those words ring true to this day.
I apply them to everything in my life, even things as simple as ordering a combo at some fast-food place. If you request a burger without mayo, well, you better TRUST BUT VERIFY!
If not, you’ll bite into that thing and get a mouth full of the most despicable condiment this world has ever created…
So, Ash Jurberg, thanks for the great content you’ve provided for all of us to read. If there was one thing I could say about your writing, it would be this:
You just write good Shit. Simple and pure.
To quote the great Tim Conway Jr. → “You’re a giant stud! Keep it up, you deserve an ‘at a boy.”
Ding Dong with you and those articles!
You should check out my Publication, The Self Hack. It’s new and starting to take off, very slowly, but it’s still standing. Just needs a little more tender, love, and some good fuc#@n content! I’ll figure it out.
Btw, I suppose I should also thank Medium as well. I wouldn’t be able to write on a platform with as much potential as this one if it weren’t for them, so. . .
My cheesy thanks to Medium and what they have provided the world
“Medium, you have successfully done what was once thought impossible! Somehow you’ve made a platform that people come to daily, with no ads, no bullshit. Just a place for writers to write without distraction and content for the readers to enjoy without click-bait. Well, not too much click-bait. No one’s perfect.”
Final words to Medium & the development team: Thanks for not putting banner ads for Viagra, among other irrelevant (embarrassing) advertisers, all over my blog.
It’s very much appreciated, truly.
My WordPress site, now that’s another story…
