"Parks and Recreation" is one of the gems of modern American television and a show beloved by millions. Many things made this show spectacular, what I think was its biggest strength was legendary ensemble of characters. This show was a true homage to what ensemble comedy should be, to the point where every character had the potential to stimulate gut busting laughter, but each in their own way. One of the captains of this ensemble was Ron Swanson, brilliantly portrayed by Mr. America himself, Nick Offerman, in one of the best TV casting decisions made since Steve Carell as Michael Scott. Offering up some of the shows most quoted lines and remembered moments, Ron never ceased to provide more than a daily dose of patriotism, libertarianism, or meat. But more important than his hatred for Europe, are his moments of undeniable wisdom towards the rest of the Parks crew. When Ron guides his workplace proximity acquaintances in the right direction, we the viewers watching at home can't help but feel as though he's talking to us, too. Today, I'd like to pass on some of that wisdom to you...
"People who buy things are suckers."
In classic Ron style, he presents a useful, worth while concept in an albeit abrasive and upfront way. The idea here is self-sufficiency, something Ron Ulysses Swanson is not in any short supply of. People have become used to having things done for them. Our food is supplied to us, our furniture, land, pretty much everything we own has been made for us. But there's a certain honor and pride that comes with doing something for yourself. Maybe one of these days, take on a good DIY project. You won't regret it, and you'll make this burly homegrown man proud.
"When a good person does something bad, they own up to it."
What makes a person good isn't that they never do bad things. What makes a good person good is that when they do bad things, they admit to them and they learn from them. When Leslie wanted to retreat from a rather unsavory ethics hearing, Ron was there to wall off her escape and offer her these words of encouragement. Don't make the mistake of thinking that being a good person is a pursuit of perfection. Nobody's perfect.
"Honor: if you need it defined, you don't have it."
Again, an abrasive, judgmental, yet honest statement from the Swansinator. Honor is Ron's most treasured trait. How can we have a problem with that? We can all stand to read this page from his book of wisdom, because there's plenty of people out there who act as though they have no honor. It was Andrew Carnegie that said, "all of honor's wounds are self-inflicted," which means that the only person who can damage your honor is you. At the end of the day, we can be knocked down, kicked around, and all kinds of battered, but to keep one's honor in tact is to keep oneself in tact.
"If you believe in something, you sign your name to it."
I added this little nugget because I think this is something that applies to our generation more than any other. I mean, think about it. In the age of internet debates, trashy comments on YouTube, and a false sense of invincibility thanks to the anonymity of computer screens, people rarely feel the need to take ownership of the words they say. How many times do politicians make promises they have no intention of keeping? How many times have you talked to someone who seems to flip flop and flounder on serious topics in life? These are occasions when people don't believe in something enough to put their name next to it. Seek out what you're passionate about, find something that makes you tick, create something that pleases you, then proudly endorse it. Take ownership of the things you do and say. And if you wouldn't proudly be seen doing it or saying it, then maybe you shouldn't be.
"Don't start chasing applause and acclaim. That way lies madness"
Far too often, we all get caught up in the reward of praise. It often becomes an obsession; a high that we constantly chase. Not to say that there is no merit to applause, but it shouldn't ever be your prime reason for doing something. Speaking from personal experience, I've always had the problem of being a people-pleaser. More so than I should, I neglect my own well-being in order to do something I think would make someone else happy. It's not always a bad thing, but sometimes I don't get the reactions I want from the people I try to help. And when I have that feeling inside of "why aren't they more thankful?" or "why didn't they like it more?" the act starts to lose its charitable nature and becomes a selfish endeavor. There are two lessons to be taught here:
1. When you do something for someone else, don't make it about you, and no satisfaction comes from a venture with the lone goal of praise from others.
2. Life is too short to try to please everyone, so you have to do what makes you happy. As long as it's not illegal or unethical, if people have a problem with you doing what makes you happy, then that's too bad for them.
"Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing"
What may be Ron's most famous words of advice, are also probably his most profound. Excellence isn't a part time effort. This particular lesson eerily reminds me of my own father. Though I can envision my dad telling me any of the things on this list (and he definitely has), this was an occasion where it wasn't my dad who reminded me of Ron, but It was Ron who reminded me of my dad. What do I mean by this? Well, it seemed as thought Ron had taken that advice from my dad then given it to Leslie, because that is something I had been told by him before I ever saw that episode. Though I have never expressed it enough, and likely never will be able to articulate just how appreciative I am, the best way I can thank my dad is to remember not just this lesson, but all the other ones he's taught me throughout my stubborn childhood. Remember them, then live them.
If you can relate at all to what I'm saying, go give your dad a hug (or handshake, if yours is like mine) and tell him you love him.
