"The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge"
by Bill Hudson
A couple of weeks ago my wife Ellie and I drove 1200 miles north to Seattle to visit our youngest daughter Sarah. Sarah knows how much I love Seattle maritime history, the Puget Sound, and the commercial fishing fleet; so she planned a few sight-seeing events.
After a day at Fishermen's Terminal and the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) in
South Lake Union,
she took me to see the "Cornelia Marie" crab boat which she had noticed a few days earlier docked for repairs at a local boatyard.
The Cornelia Marie fishes the Bering Sea from Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The crew and fishing vessel are often featured in the weekly TV series "Deadliest Catch" on Discovery Channel. The series is now in its 14th year and I haven't missed a season. I love the photography, the excitement of the catch, the risk and reward faced by each crewman, and the narrative provided by Mike Rowe who is more recognized for the show he created and hosts ... "Dirty Jobs." I took many reference photographs of the Cornelia Marie while talking with crew members and am now looking forward to a future painting of this distinguished boat.
When we returned to Sarah's house I noticed a large document hanging on her office wall. It was titled "The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge." I was not familiar with the pledge so I began reading it and quickly realized this was something original and special, with many life applications. It was someone's out-of-the-box thoughts on important topics, uniquely expressed, and I was nearly in complete agreement. It took a lot of insight and a great deal of experience to put something so erudite into twelve simple, concise points. As I was reading the pledge I was also wondering who the author was. And then I came to the bottom where it was coincidentally signed by the same Mike Rowe who narrates both the "Deadliest Catch" and another favorite show of mine, "Bering Sea Gold."
I wrote to Mike and asked his permission to include the pledge in this Newsletter. Like Mr. Rowe, I too feel that "a job" is one of the greatest gifts our society can provide a person and "The Pledge" is relevant to any profession including us "waiting-for-inspiration" artists. Mike quickly responded and granted permission. Here it is:
"The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge"
(Skill & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo)
1. I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.
2. I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that "happiness" and the "pursuit of happiness" are not the same thing.
3. I believe there is no such thing as a "bad job." I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it's up to me to make the best of them.
4. I do not "follow my passion." I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.
5. I deplore debt, and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can't afford.
6. I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in "compliance" does not necessarily mean I'm out of danger.
7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.
8. I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job, or find a way to be happy.
9. I believe that my education is my responsibility, and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning, and understand that library cards are free.
10. I believe that I am a product of my choices - not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn't do.
11. I understand the world is not fair, and I'm OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.
12. I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.
On my honor, I hereby affirm the above statements to be an accurate summation of my personal worldview. I promise to live by them.
Signed_______________________________________
Dated____________________
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