Diamonds Are Forever

About me:

.. I am more than I know myself to be. Even though I’ve been born and raised as so many among and before me, I have humbly and reverently acknowledged that I have substantial strengths not yet fully matured or discovered.

I'm a fighter, first & foremost. My way is that of the hard...the way of the strong. I fight for my self-respect – the type of respect that ultimately matters most in this world of endless and ferocious adversities – as well as being a fighter for those I love. It's how I live my life -- as a fighter.

Moreover, I am a rare breed of being: Despite my vibrancy & geniality, I am an old, resilient, and visionary soul cultivated by deep hardships & failures. Sacrifice and persistence have forged my character. I have been introduced to myself through adversities, and I've found my smile in troubles, along with value and strength through distresses -- delighting my existence. I am bred to celebrate the struggles more than the outcomes of defeats or conquests. By this I have come to cherish the worth of daring greatly, rather than to remain timid & to know of neither victory nor defeat. I've had to risk suffering in order to pursue my loves, and by such I have come to gain knowledge and appreciation for experience. I seek paths with obstacles as those without lead to nowhere, and through resolve I achieve, not perfection, but my very best. I strive ahead even when I know I can lose, taking pride amidst the lessons of such boldness. I seek strength not through skill, but through will. I prefer to try and fail than fail to try. Herein lie my virtues.

Even now, I search quite watchfully for where my strength and faculties are needed, yet not always required. Meanwhile, I take rare, exceptional and yet modest pride in my distinctive inheritances and upbringings. For they are both what set me apart from the “norm” and yet given me the force to raise the norm beyond being normality. It has come at the cost of many severe misfortunes, but has generated benefits inconceivably beyond imagination.

I've been baptized into the rigors of what I term BeingBuilding: proper diet, smart training, plus sufficient rest & recovery for mind, body, and spirit. From this, I have embraced the wills of leadership: persistent productivity; respectful goodwill and camaraderie in forming partnerships; dignified, courageous, and SELF-SACRIFICING loyalty, a just, deferential, and cooperative concern for what is right rather than who is right; a passionate drive and loving enjoyment to INSPIRE OTHERS; a prudent, careful, and stable sense of self-discipline; a vigilant awareness and forethought towards betterment; an intrepid resolve to take judicious action even at the risk of error rather than remain idle and suspend our capabilities; perhaps above all others – the tenacity, resolve, relentless patience, and DETERMINATION to strive towards greatness in spite of the obstacles; the physical, intellectual, and moral CHARACTER to continue towards the balanced fulfillment of potential – for by our character alone we are all teachers, showcasing ourselves to others, in our own regard; an incessant and everlasting yearning for further skills and talents that by their very nature surpass the worth of experience; an eager placement of the “we” before the “me”, because each of us are no better than the company we keep as determined by our keenness to put the welfare of our companions before our own selves. And now, perhaps as we approach the hardest of all leadership qualities we come upon poise, our ability to appropriately handle and overcome consistent and demanding pressures, as alluded to in my account of a warrior – to see all circumstance in the prism of CHALLENGES rather than being “good” or “bad”, and to steadfastly persist with our principles rather than abandon them in our most difficult of times while not being thrown off of our advancements; then comes confidence in which our steadiness and insistence avert arrogance and the assumptions of supremacy while instead respecting your challenge(r) as well as your own painstaking efforts and preparations towards endeavoring towards greatness.

Finally, by both faith and patience in all that has been invested, we come upon the pinnacle of greatness, built by the preceding foundations of leadership. This greatness, in itself, is an appetite for struggle, and thereby, growth. It is more an appreciation for the journey itself rather than the destination for some accolade, trophy, or medal. This is because nothing, no one, can take away all that you put forth into the summoning of your greatness. It can never be taken away, never belittled – no matter the critic, no matter the scorn. For each, even the cynic and the covetous, must tread his or her own path, not that of you or any other. Their distraction and criticism of you is not to be your setback, but rather it is their own for having lost their focus by way of fruitless comparison rather than fertile concentration. And so, when the going gets tough, truly, those best prepared and resolved for greatness, having cultivated a purposeful foundation, are those who readily “get going” – to face their challenges rather than recoil or acquit upon the rationalization of any easily available excuse(s). After all, you must exemplify greatness only when it is required of you – and your greatness is required of you everyday, in every moment.

And so it is by this that I henceforth challenge you, to be the leader that is within you, to let your inner light of greatness that has always resided within you, no matter how greatly or briefly concealed, shine with plentiful luminosity such that all may benefit and evolve by what your actions and examples set in motion.

Now, in terms of my formal schooling: I have completed my Master of Arts in Sociology in the Spring of 2007, and I look forward to pursuing my Ph.D. in Sociology in the near future. I'm seeking to become a tenured professor, publishing sociological research, with other business consulting ventures open to consideration. As a Doctor of Medicine looks to treat physical ailments for the betterment of an individual's health; I desire to treat social ailments, as a doctor of philosophy in sociology, for the betterment of humanity's collective well-being.

I take feverish & principled pride in doing my work well, never calling in sick or making excuses, and doing the best that I can in whatever I do. Through my persistence amidst constant hardships, I have actually been blessed with a fortunate & challenging life. I'm willing to fight for it & my worth, to "press on", especially for those w/o any foreseeable hope or any fight felt remaining within them.

Life is a precious opportunity, and I plan on seizing the most of it by cherishing every moment -- because they'll never come again.

Long ago, I stopped looking up to those on pedestals and looking around at others for validation or acceptance, and started looking within at what I’m worth, at the person that I am with appreciation for what I HAVE been given, regardless of what the world thinks of me, of what I lack, or of how I compare to others. Therein, I find my strength and my hope; and in so doing I have a great responsibility to share this learned might and faith with others to help them hold to the betterment that they have within them in addition to helping with cultivating their excellence to the best it can be.

I believe all people, at some point or another – if not mostly, have the desire and capacity for good, while some only lack the light to show the way. And so that, in itself, is the promise of my purpose for being.

....

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Jacob Matthew Duckett
Birthday:	January 14th, 1981 -- 4:12 pm
Birthplace:	Wesley Medical Center -- Wichita, KS
Current Location:	Wherever life takes me; or I take life
Eye Color:	Brown
Hair Color:	Brown
Height:	5'10"
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Right-handed w/ a left handed jab
Your Heritage:	Human
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Nike Cross Trainers
Your Weakness:	Ultimately, my own imperfect self
Your Fears:	Fear itself, beyond that, I stand ready for anything...
Your Perfect Pizza:	Pepperoni, thin crust
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Score a 1600 on the GRE.
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	N/A
Thoughts First Waking Up:	AIN'T NOTHIN' TO IT BUT TO DO IT!!!
Your Best Physical Feature:	My total package
Your Bedtime:	Random, b/c I have been medically diagnosed with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (i.e. meaning unpredictable bedtimes and wakeup times and constantly living life in "jet lag")
Your Most Missed Memory:	None, I look forward to the best times ahead and cherish the good times gone by
Pepsi or Coke:	Water
MacDonalds or Burger King:	Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, & Red Lobster. 'Nuff said
Single or Group Dates:	I can roll either way, but I prefer single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	No tea, I'm decaffinated
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Either
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Neither
Do you Smoke:	No, never will
Do you Swear:	When necessary
Do you Sing:	Poorly
Do you Shower Daily:	Damn right, often twice
Have you Been in Love:	No
Do you want to go to College:	No, but it seems I must
Do you want to get Married:	Not really, but you never know...
Do you belive in yourself:	Certainly, within reason. And if I don't, I then have the universe against me.
Do you get Motion Sickness:	Only during rapid rotations
Do you think you are Attractive:	To some
Are you a Health Freak:	Let's put it this way, I take responsibility for what I've been given
Do you get along with your Parents:	Very, very well
Do you like Thunderstorms:	They're an essential part of nature, whether I like them or not
Do you play an Instrument:	The instruments I "play" involve barbells and dumbbells
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	No
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	Only sleep aids
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	No
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	Yes, to Specs
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	No, not even Hydrox
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	Nope
In the past month have you been on Stage:	Wherever I go, it seems I "take the stage"
In the past month have you been Dumped:	No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	No
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	Probably a heart or two
Ever been Drunk:	Yes, and I abhor it
Ever been called a Tease:	Now and then
Ever been Beaten up:	In every which way, yes
Ever Shoplifted:	No
How do you want to Die:	Laying down my life for another
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	Just simply an honorable and trustworthy man
What country would you most like to Visit:	Iraq, to see reality with my own eyes
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	No preference
Favourite Hair Color:	No preference
Short or Long Hair:	No preference
Height:	Doesn't matter
Weight:	Healthy
Best Clothing Style:	Whatever works
Number of Drugs I have taken:	Only prescribed meds for my sleep disorder
Number of DVDs I own:	Maybe a dozen
Number of Piercings:	None
Number of Tattoos:	Zero
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	None, I prefer to exercise forgiveness and compassion
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The Quiz: Round 2
Do you snore:	No
Are you a lover or a fighter:	Definitely a fighter
What's your worst fear:	Fear itself
As a kid, were you a lego maniac:	Totally, Zack had nothing on me
What do you think of "Reality" TV:	It's an overexposed genre of fraudulent voyeurism and further proof that "reality" is actually socially constructed, how's that?
Do you chew on straws:	No
Were you a cute baby:	Hell yeah
Is the single life for you:	I don't underestimate its unique advantages
What color is your keyboard:	White
Do you sing in the shower:	No
Have you ever bungee jumped:	Nope
Any secret talents:	Now they wouldn't be secrets if I told you
What's your ideal vacation spot:	I'm a workaholic -- I'm not much for vacation
Can you swim:	Yes, I'm a decent swimmer
Do you give a damn about the ozone:	Given that it's a vital part of the Earth's atmosphere, I hereby give several damns
Have you ever been on an airplane:	Once
Are you an only child:	No
What's your stand on hunting:	Kill only to survive -- no gaming, no poaching
Is marriage in your future:	Hard to tell
What are you allergic to:	Smalltalk, formal schooling, jobs, absolutes, jealousy, deadlines, cowardice, attachment, traditions, idiocy...
When was the last time you said, "I love you":	Today
How do you like your eggs:	Only raw -- otherwise can't stand them
Do you have a nickname:	Common: "The Snake", "Jake The Man"; The Gym: "Dynamite Duckett", "Rip"
Is McDonald's disgusting:	Yes, both their food and the way they do busines
Baths or showers:	Showers
Are you afraid of the dark:	No, but the dark is afraid of me
What are you addicted to:	Good health, strength, peace & serenity, balance & harmony, honor & dignity, learning, progress, principle, politics & news, rationality & empiricism, leadership & responsibility, motivation & inspiration, touching lives, empathy & compassion, and living a fulfilling life
Crunchy or creamy peanut butter:	Crunchy
Can you crack your neck:	Yes, frequently
Have you ever ridden in an ambulance:	Once
How many times have you brushed your teeth day:	Once
Is drug free the way to be:	Yes, for most
Are you a heavy sleeper:	Very heavy
Do you like your life:	Yes, my life is a cherished gift full of splendor, possibilities, great fortune, and happiness
Are you a psychic:	No, I'm an observer
Have you read "Catcher in the Rye":	No
Can you snowboard:	No, I can't "board" anything, yet...
Do you like camping:	Yes, I do
Do you snort when you laugh:	Almost never
Do you believe in magic:	No, I believe in deception
Are dogs a man's best friend:	Mine certainly is
You believe in divorce:	It often serves a useful purpose
Can you do the moonwalk:	Yes
Do you make a lot of mistakes:	Certainly I do -- Afterall, I am human...
Is it cold outside today:	Today, May 27, 2007 was mild 68 degrees
What was the last thing you ate:	Sirloin steak, baked potato, & salad
Do you wear nail polish:	No
Have you ever been kissed:	You mean romantically? Why, yes
What's the most annoying TV commercial:	Head on, apply directly to the forehead...Head on, apply directly to the forehead...Head on...
Do you shop at American Eagle:	No, I shop at Hollister
Favorite song at the moment:	Real American
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trait snapshot: messy, tough, disorganized, fearless, not rule conscious, likes the unknown, rarely worries, rash, attracted to the counter culture, rarely irritated, positive, resilient, abstract, not a perfectionist, risk taker, strange, weird, self reliant, leisurely, dangerous, anti-authority, trusting, optimistic, positive, thrill seeker, likes bizarre things, sarcastic