Eric Plume’s Reviews > Freedom: Credos from the Road > Status Update

When you love something so much, and you have a seemingly endless supply, and there’s nobody willing to jump in and save you from yourself, in the long run you’re being dealt a favor. Sometimes we need to go completely over the top to find out exactly what constitutes enough, or for that matter, too much.

I've had a few life lessons which can back this up as true.

I’ve seen men get shot over women; I’ve seen women get shot over men. Love is the world’s oldest and most fought-over situation.

...Okay, that's edging past barroom wisdom and into "I couldn't argue with it while sober" territory.

The army prepares you for the jungle overseas. Jail prepares you for the jungle on the streets. Confinement teaches you to be resourceful and grateful for the small things in life, from a family visit to a simple piece of fruit.

As a leader, don’t confuse honest dissent with disloyalty or subversion. Take dissent and criticism as it’s intended (provided it’s honest). Listen hard. And don’t take it personally. Good dissent may come from that lone, brave friend and colleague who will save you from making the biggest mistake or the worst decision of your life.

Excellent advice.

"In a lot of ways, I find jail, and especially prison, an all-American experience. No other country in the world puts more of its citizens in jail than America does...The prisoners range from out-and-out bad guys like cold-blooded murderers, child molesters, and big-time thieves to teenagers busted for their first offense dealing in drugs or prostitution. But no matter what you are in for, once you’re in, you’re in."