What a thought provoking post. I have (had) a so called nemesis when I wore the uniform. I often try and remember it differently, with the grace and growth potential you wrote about in this week's post. I would have called him evil, back in the day, but now I would more say that he acted rationally according to his values and belief system. Can values and beliefs be rational, not evil, and still "not ok".... As luck would have it, he was in a position to crush me later in our careers, and he chose to help instead. Yet he never focused on the actual mission... only so much as it benefited him. I suppose that is a common claim between nemesi. He later was relieved as a Colonel for basically being the guy I always thought he was. And instead of being happy, I felt empty. I felt empathy. Probably no point in what I am writing, but I did want to acknowledge that your writing inspired some thoughts and reflection. Thanks JD.
Thank you as always, Brett. I think that often the difference between a hero and a villain is the values they act in accordance with. People often succeed to a point not because their values align with (in this case) USMC values, but because they value power and in order to achieve it, they have to 'play by the rules' until they achieve enough power that they either don't think the rules apply to them anymore (The Bathsheba syndrome) or they screw up and act like themselves and are discovered. That is a topic worthy of more thought. Thanks!
What a thought provoking post. I have (had) a so called nemesis when I wore the uniform. I often try and remember it differently, with the grace and growth potential you wrote about in this week's post. I would have called him evil, back in the day, but now I would more say that he acted rationally according to his values and belief system. Can values and beliefs be rational, not evil, and still "not ok".... As luck would have it, he was in a position to crush me later in our careers, and he chose to help instead. Yet he never focused on the actual mission... only so much as it benefited him. I suppose that is a common claim between nemesi. He later was relieved as a Colonel for basically being the guy I always thought he was. And instead of being happy, I felt empty. I felt empathy. Probably no point in what I am writing, but I did want to acknowledge that your writing inspired some thoughts and reflection. Thanks JD.
Thank you as always, Brett. I think that often the difference between a hero and a villain is the values they act in accordance with. People often succeed to a point not because their values align with (in this case) USMC values, but because they value power and in order to achieve it, they have to 'play by the rules' until they achieve enough power that they either don't think the rules apply to them anymore (The Bathsheba syndrome) or they screw up and act like themselves and are discovered. That is a topic worthy of more thought. Thanks!
Iron sharpening Iron.
Looking forward to the book John!
Thanks Fred! I’m enjoying your substack. Thanks for the shout out!
Whenever you can quote Epictetus, you know it's going to be a good article.