All,
Recently I have been dealing with individuals that don’t want to help themselves.  They claim to be working hard and trying to achieve their goals while the reality is that many of them haven’t really lifted a finger.  People want easy today.  They want things to fall into their lap.  All of us want an easy button at times.  I wish their was an easy button for ds106 actually, however there is not and we must all persevere.  Many times I have been quoted saying “Sh**’ll buff out.”  Although the only reason it buffs out is because you have to maintain constant effort.  Not only constant effort but give it all you have.  No one can wave a wand magically make things happen for you.  So to all of you who spend your nights every weekday out partying and sleeping in until noon, and to all of you people who are playing video games all day long.  Get up.  Do something productive.  Get a job, volunteer your time to a noble cause, or contribute to an open source project.  Don’t fail to do the things you still love to do.  Play video games if that is what you love to do.  But not all day.  Have fun with friends but don’t allow it to run over your life.  Those things are fun and easy.  The hard things… the things that are worth it… they take an effort.  And in a time where college graduates are flipping burgers I’m not sure how you wouldn’t try to help yourself.  I am not a straight A student.  I started my first semester of college with a GPA of about 1.4.  I am up to a 2.7 cumulative and over a 3.0 in my major.  While this is not great it is a huge turn around.  I thought things would just happen when I came to college.  One thing UMW has taught me is to bite, kick, scratch, claw, and punch your way through life not just wait for things to happen.  Not only do I go to school, but I work 40 hours a week in a mentally demanding job.  This is how I feel right now.  Just a thought.  Something I am passionate about right now due to personal events.  Let me know if anyone has any thoughts or if you think I am wrong.  I love confrontation .  Thanks for reading!

Regards,
Joe Fehrman