I have to first say that I have an awesome bunch of students and I mostly enjoy reading all the emails I get throughout the week.  I have some strong "warriors" out there as I like to call them.  And I believe that many of you listen to me via email because I'm no-nonsense, I tell it like it is, and I don't hold back.  (Life is way too short to worry about being so "politically correct" all the time.)

Of course, there's always the "bad apple" emails that I receive here and there.  The good news is that, as the years roll on and the unsavory folk opt out of my email lists (or forget how to read), I find that the cream of the crop is floating to the top when it comes to my student base.

But, here we have a situation (which I suspected would happen) where somebody got all butt-hurt over a comment I made about Detroit and actually had the audacity to demand that I "apologize" to Detroit about what I said.

Here's what Kenneth W. emailed me exactly 6 times in a row:

"My God tell me how you really feel about Detroit, Mi ....... if the negative Image of a city is what you want to focus on then go on and continue to do so ....... I guess it's easy for you to come and express your feeling about a city that you only want to see what you want to see and hear what you want to here about Detroit that cool doe ....... Detroit is a great city with great people in it maybe if you spend a little more time to fine that out you wouldn't spoke so harshly about the city ....... I sure there's areas in your city that's not all roses ....... that don't mean the city and the people are bad ....... you got me not at all wanting to do business with you or buy any more of your products ....... because of your comments and oh yeah if the Politicians say in there Campaign that you gonna do something than get done ....... instead of pocketing the money ....... you no you owe the city of Detroit an Apology for this email that you had send out ....... You Reap what You Sow ....... ; \"

Apologize to a destitute city?  How the hell does that work?  Would this be the time I stand on a soap box in Detroit with a megaphone saying, "Detroit, I'm so sorry!" Would I get to eek out these words before or after I get mugged or beaten down for my purse and jewelry by this "great city" full of so many "great people"?

Okay, Kenneth.  I guess that says it all about both you and Detroit.  And no, I won't apologize to a broken down city and I certainly won't apologize to you about something I said about something that doesn't really apply to you directly.

As I said in my email before, it's typical that people of Detroit (as I'm assuming Kenneth is from there) that they blame other people (notably the politicians) for how horrible things are.  Okay, so move out then if it sucks so bad.  Last time I checked, nobody had a gun to your head (including the politicians) to make you stay there.

The other thing I find interesting is that he claims I said that all the people are bad. I never said all the people were bad in Detroit.  

(Would this guy be one of those students who I'm talking about...who is on the verge of forgetting how to read?)  What I did say is that people of certain areas of the country think a certain way...because they know nothing else.  And the only way to expand your mind to discover something else is to leave.

Here are some other emails from a couple of awesome students to corroborate what I'm referring to:

This is from Lori H...

"My husband is from Detroit Michigan. He was in Detroit for business in July 2013 and visited the home where his Grandmother lived when he was a child. The home has been condemned and is in a shambles. His Aunt was in tears seeing the photos.
It's hard to see a place that you remembered so fondly in complete disarray. I guess it's true what they say, you can't go back home."

Not that you can't go back home but that maybe you simply shouldn't.

Here's an email from Jason P...

"I am from Detroit and have lived here all my life. I started to feel slightly offended until I caught myself. To be honest, the Heidelberg Project IS a junk heap! Furthermore, the attitude you spoke of is pervasive in the Midwest. I'm not giving people passes but I understand where the mentality comes from. Our region is based on 'go to school and get a 'good job'' or 'work for the factories, get health benefits and a 401 k.' mantra. It has always been the worst possible advice that was given to unsuspecting kids who subsequently had their dreams killed. When I considered that and having traveled to other places, I could not help but agree with you. Honesty helps everyone while denial kills it's user.

Long story short...I believe in all that you said. I am a true 'capitalist pig' and have no plans to change. I'd rather be who I am, an entrepreneur, than a person seeking a job and familiar limiting relationships. Give me all the unfamiliar I can handle in all the varied places of the world with more experiences and ideas than ever imagined! It sucks being one of a small crowd that many think are wrong and only driven by money. A few people believe in what you say and are here for you too. Don't change a thing about what you do."

Don't worry, I don't plan on changing anything about what I do.  And yes, you are correct.  This is the mentality of certain areas of the country, especially the Midwest.  That's why I had the lengthy discussion with my step-son about leaving, even for a short time.  

Because when he comes back, the area will be the same but he will be a completely different person.  I just hope he takes me up on my offer because it will probably save his life.

And maybe Kenneth needs to leave too. Otherwise he'll always think that a city that resembles a 4th world war zone will be "great."  

(Kenneth should at least watch a documentary about other places to see what he's missing out on.)

When I throw something out there, I'm not doing it to piss people off.  I'm doing it to be honest about what's going on with me so that maybe you can get something from it to benefit yourself.

Unfortunately, if you're one of those people who gets offended by the truth or can't see anything usable in my personal experiences then perhaps it's time we part ways.  (I'll live.)

However, what I need to drive home, yet again, is that things are not what they used to be, folks. And you've probably figured that out years ago.

If you're going to make the changes you want in all the areas of your life that you know need to change -- or if you're going to be forced into change because your job is gone or the path you thought was your "life path" has been terminated -- then you need to put your sensitivities aside and start focusing like a warrior on what you can do to come up to speed with the New Economy.

Or you'll perish on every level.  Simple as that!

Our recent society has taught us that we need to "apologize" when one person out of millions is sitting in a corner crying because he's butt-hurt that somebody said something that "offended" him personally...even though it wasn't directed to him personally.

And this has made us a weak sissy population of people.

Sorry but if somebody calls somebody else a bitch, I simply don't give a rat's ass because I have better sh** to think about.  And if somebody calls me a bitch directly, I especially don't give a rat's ass.  (I have been called a bitch and I actually take it as a compliment.  Demented, I know.)

A true warrior doesn't demand apologies over nonsense because this type of crap doesn't bother a warrior.  Instead, the warrior just moves on in his (or her) very focused plight to get the life that he (or she) wants.  And that's all everyone should be focused on.  Why waste your precious thoughts and energy on anything else?

The good news is that this chronic whining and complaining will separate the men from the boys and the women from the girls which is something that needs to desperately happen.  And it is happening.  The whiners will end up getting exactly nowhere in life.  And the rest will end up being the winners that take all.

Fortunately for you, that set of winners will be a very small percentage...less than 10% of the total US population I'd guess (and that's being generous).  That means getting what you want in life will be super easy (because of the lack of competition) if you're focused and committed since everyone else will be wasting time posting comments on Yahoo! about the latest Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt scandal (and demanding a personal apology in the process because they were "offended" by it in some way) or standing in a 4-day line for the iPhone 6.

Time for you to step up...or sit down and die.  I already know what I'm doing with my life.  Tag, your it!  Now it's your turn to figure out which side you choose.  And, in case you haven't figured it out yet, you only have 2 choices: Do something or die miserable.

See you at the top!

Your mentor,

Monica Main
www.MonicaMain.com