Listen Published Jan. 31, 2011 By Col. Russell Wilson 721st Mission Support Group commander CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- Sometimes it is amazing what you can learn if you just take the time to listen. Listen to what people, friends, family, coworkers and/or wingmen around you are saying. All too often, many of us allow our preconceived bias, prejudice or even sometimes our pride to filter what we actually hear. We all need to practice that art of listening as there is so much to learn out there. Additionally, history has shown us time and again, no particular group or class of folks has any sort of monopoly on good ideas or deep thoughts. Case in point; recently one of my sons and I were at odds on a couple issues. I, in particular, was not happy with his attitude and although we grudgingly worked through the issue, I did want to press for a learning point. So, I shared the following quote from an unknown author and asked him to write down his thoughts: "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." Here is his reply. "I do not know who the first person to say those words was, but boy have I heard them a lot. There are a lot of sayings about how you should live your life and how to behave. But most of those just focus on small perspectives of life, like honesty, for example. The saying above can encompasses your whole life if you look at it right; those five sentences are basic guidelines for living your life. If you take it apart and look at each sentence and take in what it means in your own words then try to live by it, then it can change your life. Below is how I interpret it." "First: Watch your thoughts, for they become words. This is the basis of living your life. What you think is what you are no matter how you are looked upon by other people. Your thoughts are you, and if you have a strong thought again and again then more often than not, you will eventually say something or do something that comes from that thought, and a lot of the time you will regret it. What you think is how you will live your life, and it doesn't matter how many times you can fool others into thinking you're good. If you can't be comfortable with what you think, then I don't envy how your life is going to run." "Second: Watch your words, for they become actions. This one is rather simple to understand, but it is basically like the first line. Your words are your spoken thoughts, and most people's words turn into actions, whether it's by accident or on purpose. Very few people can keep what they say from becoming what they do." "Third: Watch your actions, for they become habits. Again, this one is easy to understand. If you repeat an act again and again, then it will turn into a habit. Some habits are good, some don't matter, some are bad and some can destroy your life. For instance, getting the paper every Sunday for your senior neighbor who's in a wheelchair is a good habit. Tapping your head while you think is neither good nor bad. Finding things to contradict people on is a bad habit, and getting drunk is a habit that can destroy your life." "Fourth: Watch your habits, for they become character. Character is who you are; your habits can create your character, but like the saying "A sword cuts both ways" your habits can too. Good habits create good character, and bad habits create bad character. Keeping your thoughts good can keep your words good, which keeps your actions good, which will help you keep good habits, which will keep your character strong." "Fifth: Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. The last step, watch your character. Your character is you. It is all your thoughts, words, actions and habits. No matter what you do, your character will determine how your life will turn out. Your destiny will be what happens to you later in life, and it directly stems from your character." "Well, there you have it. The five paragraphs above are how I interpret the words. That saying in five sentences gives you the basics on how to live your life, from thoughts to words to actions to habits to character to your destiny. Each one is a key part of your life and every day, no matter who you are, you should be looking to improve those traits." Needless to say, I was more than a little proud of his response. My first thought was where did my kid go and who was this new guy living in our house and wearing his clothes? But in reality, I knew maybe I had not been listening to him as closely as he deserved to have me do so. His thoughtful response showed me a deep understanding that maybe I could learn a few things from. After all, he did mention that a sword could cut both ways. I'm very proud of my son, actually all my children. I'm striving to watch my thoughts and invite you to do the same, especially to my fellow 21st Space Wing Airmen. We've got more than a few trials and tribulations bearing down on us, and a little positive thinking, good words and focused, on-target actions will certainly help us take on those challenges, and in the end, forge our destiny.