REPUTATION vs REPUTATION

All reputations are not the same for everyone. In one circle or group of peers you may have one reputation and a totally different one in another circle.

It can be something simple that may be misinterpreted by one and spread like wildfire as the gossip and rumor/rumour circles are rife with haters.

Let's address the haters first...........

Okay, now that is over with, we can move on by understanding that while it is good to know your reputation and to keep it clean or not depending on who you are and what you want to accomplish, it is your job to keep up on it.

Some would advise you to rebut or even attack and defend yourself against those that are tarnishing your reputation for whatever reason they claim. Some are high and mighty and love to bash others as a job or hobby. They generally have more than enough crap in their history or current locker than you have ever had. I do not suggest this approach myself but others will spend loads of time and energy defending themselves against misinterpreted, half truth, gossip, rumor/rumour, haters and the ever present self proclaimed defenders of the universe.

Having been on the receiving end on more than one occasion, I have learned through tough times and good times as well as a shit load of controversy that was unneeded but happened just the same.

I do not claim innocence nor do I claim ignorance. See it is not a victimization when things do not go as planned or if others made mistakes and you made mistakes and they converge for a huge mess. As the top dog you MUST take responsibility even if it is not your doing or if things fail in any way. That is why you are the top dog! Much like in sports when the coach gets the loss and the players get the win.

Take your lumps and move on. If others are not sticking by you then they really never knew you in the first place and were more than likely just using you to get in your circle or for their own gain. It is really obvious when someone speaks badly about you after a few years about the same things over and over. They have the problem and not you so move on!!!

It is always tougher to forgive yourself than it is for others but you have to start believing in yourself again and not question everything you do. The last thing you need to do is listen to the rumors/rumours and feel like you are always getting beat up or in a straight jacket. You should however take time to step back and evaluate your circle and where you stand. Might find it a good time to also evaluate those you confide in as well.

I am VERY fortunate to have the best friends in the world! While some have weeded themselves out the one's that are still part of my life are incredible. So the days of having to explain myself or defend myself for things in the past are as close to nil as one can get.

My reputation of being straight forward, tough physically and mentally, funny, loving, passionate, caring, a tad aggressive, dependable, very loyal, spiritual, outspoken, adventurous, educated, about half crazy, protective, adaptable and patriotic are all acceptable tags to describe me. Thanks to those that described me in the email I sent out. If I left any of them out let me know.

The best compliment I got was that I have been like a father or brother to those I have worked with and those I have coached over the years. My kids tell me every day how much they love me and my dog seems to like that my wife has me stay in his house more than he does.....I like to call it Chateau de Bow-Wow for my Quebec friends.

Just remember that your REPUTATION is something that can change quickly for the good or for the bad. I have done my best to fix or repair anything I can with those that matter the most. Forgiving myself is still the hardest part of the mistakes I have made. For others it is them that have to do the forgiving but I am not responsible for their happiness or lack thereof.

I am a work in progress and I will continue to make mistakes and pay for them and take accountability for them. If that is not enough for others, that is on them! I can rest easier these days knowing I have helped a heck of a lot more people than I have ever hurt. For those I have hurt or will hurt in the future, I AM VERY SORRY and I do hope you forgive me and do not dwell on things but that we do all we can to repair or fix any wrong doing or misunderstandings.

The circle you are in can be quite dangerous without even knowing at the time. It will come back to kick you in the ass so it is important to know your REPUTATION versus your actual REPUTATION. I had some help with that from an unnamed person just this morning. While I was shocked to be put in a circle I had no idea I was ever in it gave me the opportunity to learn that while I was not in a circle with certain people, it was believed I was so the reputation had to be repaired to my surprise. I thank the kind person that helped me with that this morning and I look forward to making certain that I improve and check on my reputation more often.

GOD BLESS ALL & KEEP US SAFE FROM HARM AND FROM OURSELVES!