It’s not what you do in life, it’s why you do it. Timothy J. Ward Instagram: / timothyjward Twitter: / timothyjward Tik Tok: / timothyjward Support the channel: PayPal: PayPal.Me/timothyjward CashApp: cash.me/$tr2th #WardUniversity
Like "you've got to get married", "you've got to or need to have kids", "you've got to go to college", "you need to have alot of friends", and even "you need to stay close to your family". The list goes on and on and on. If you mold your life the way other people think it should be, you'll end up regreting it. The old saying "To Thine Own Self Be True" stands.
Brilliantly said, you couldn't be more right. You aren't your job, your career or accolades. I've never heard of anyone becoming happy or fulfilled by doing what their peers/society has told them to do. Happiness comes from just living your life, one day at a time.
I’ve been rocking with you for 5 years or so now. As another black man let me express how appreciative of you I am. Im 27, welder, single and absolutely love traveling, hiking, photography and doing things differently than the norm. I hear all of these things on a daily about having kids, marriage, mortgages, … etc, but im living life on my OWN terms and you have played a major role in how I perceive my life and how free it actually is. Thanks Tim for being such a uplifting and positive role model and bringing these messages. One love 🙌🏾
For real. We should all live our lives on our own terms. Society has us conditioned to do things based on a time frame. Like, if you dont have a family, home & a career by a certain age then ur considered a failure. Everyone operates at their own pace who TF is the next person to tell me what i should or shouldnt do? Sh!t, its a lot of men out here who are 40+ & just started having kids.
I travel for my job, 3 month contracts, no kids never married. I don’t even keep a permanent apt or home. Most people think it’s weird, say things like “don’t you want to settle?”, “don’t you get tired of jumping from place to place?”. I always say simply “no”. I love what I’m doing. There’s no boredom, always new faces and places and I’m always learning new things.
For most of people what you do is weird, how ever you are doing great as long as you are content😊 you are not damaging any one. Animals move all time, since they dont have a cultural program. Change and movement are inevitable and necesary, nothing is temporary. 😊
Womb to Tomb. So true. We are all headed the same direction. Most peoples biggest regret is not doing life on their own terms. I am reminded of my husband's grandfather. He was so religious and did the whole family thing. Then in his 70s he totally flipped a switch and started sleeping around, going to wild parties, going completely nuts! He was always so reserved too.
@@danielmart7940 Oh he went wild. Not even sure where the OG is now. He is probably in Mexico living it up! Crazy think is, he still went to Sunday breakfast with Grandma every Sunday till the day she died. They remained friends even after his switch flipped. They also occasionally went to the movies together like the old days.
Facts. Everytime I hear a message like this I regret going to college because of the time spent and financial burden it caused me. I went because I was "supposed to"
Yep we put our son through college and now he’s doing something totally unrelated to his degree and something he didn’t even need it to get the job! Oh and he’s perfectly happy with his job! Can’t stand when people talk about the “college experience” being a good thing, he could’ve stayed home and drank lots of beer just as easily and for a lot less money!!
I’m sorry about the burdens it put on you. If it’s any consolation, your experience is helpful to this internet stranger. Listening to this video, I was thinking “I’ve been dream chasing my whole life, but maybe I should have gone to college like everyone else. Settled for a 9-5 in a career I hate, just to have a steady paycheck with benefits. I might’ve set myself up for a lifetime of failure because I didn’t go to college”. But it’s a helpful reminder that college isn’t the end-all be-all, and many don’t use their degrees in the end at all. Here’s hoping you’ve found a satisfying path for yourself
“You cant quit your job and travel at the age of 42! You had to do that when you were in your 20s”. This is the most common BS i keep hearing from people around me.
I am another one who goes my own way! I’m a divorced man at 53 years old. I have no kids, want no kids, and love my life. I work four days a week and do as I please. I drive a pickup with 306k miles on it, no payments for this guy! Stress free and love it.
Hi Tim, My name is Greg. I will be 75 in three weeks I responded to one of your emails a few weeks ago and want to reply again.. I am a Vietnam veteran who came back to America in 1968. When I finished High School I enlisted in the Marine Corps because my government asked me and I wanted to help my country. I thought it was the right thing to do and one way to begin to fulfill the American dream which I honestly believed in. When I enlisted I thought this would be the start of my journey to manhood and achieving the American dream. When I came home in 1968 I was surprised that most Americans knew very little about the war. It seemed like everyone just wanted to go shopping and watch movies. I went to University, got a good job, got married, bought a house in the suburbs. On the outside it looked like I had everything I needed to be happy, but I wasn't. It felt like evercauseyone was just a consumer and not a citizen. I thought that people were pretending to be happy because of all the things that they bought. It was as if they defined themselves by what they owned. TO fit in I also faked that I was happy and fooled everyone and even myself for a while. At least for about 20 years. Then I did like you and sat down and was completely honest with myself about what I wanted out of this life. I didn't really know what I wanted, I just knew I didn't want to pretend anymore. America makes it very easy for you to pretend. Corporate advertising tells you what to buy to be happy and have people like you and want to be your friend. I had people who liked me but I didn't like myself. So in 1988 I took a trip back to Vietnam. Except for my wife I didn't tell anyone I was going back to the place that almost killed me. Because I knew everyone would say you are crazy. They wouldn't understand and I didn't want to have to explain it to them as they wouldn't understand. I got a 30 day visa to go to Vietnam and when I came back to America I was a different person. It changed my life. During the war I never met any Vietnamese people. I only had contact with soldiers. This was the first time that I ever saw Vietnam as a country. Back home I was no longer going to pretend that I was happy. The trip to Vietnam opened my eyes and I saw how much Americans are like sheep and just follow. They are not citizens, they are consumers. We are constantly being bombarded with advertisements and talked into buying something that we probably don't even need or really want but we think it would make us popular. I couldn't talk my wife into going back with me so I went by myself. It was easy getting a job teaching English and it was very rewarding. My job in America paid well but there was no satisfaction in it. In Vietnam I didn't feel like I had to keep up with the Joneses. I could be myself and not judged by how I dressed or what kind of car I had, or how rich I was. I no longer had to pretend. I would go back to America for a few weeks every year and it confirmed in my mind that I was right in Leaving America. I think your videos are great and more people should listen to you Keep up the good work. Greg
“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.” - Jiddu Krishnamurti
I know a doctor, medical doctor, that never wanted to go to medical school. His parents pushed him to go. And he despises it, hates working with people. He makes great money obviously, but he's miserable.
Exactly. Life is so easy and there’s nothing really to work out. Everything happens to you for you. Drop the act and drop the character and just live today like it’s you last. Tomorrow is not promised. Tomorrow does not exist. Just enjoy the ride for what it is
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think another factor preventing people from living life on their own terms is our economic system capitalism. We live a world where we have to sell our labour to survive, working takes a significant amount of your time, and leaving us with limited time to devote ourselves to interests and hobbies.
I woke and listened to this, while making my tea. Tim.. always “comes correct” with his upbeat messages of hope and grace. I love Tim’s constant message of “live YOUR life!” I’m so glad Timothy decided “and” had the courage to leave Florida, ditch the bottle and “live HIS life 😊!” Tim… I bet you had “no idea” that 1 day, you would be such a treasured voice, inspiration and friend, to soooo many people? Your positive message is set against and amongst all the noise and nonsense of modern society. Keep “striving & driving” my brotha 😮. We appreciate you. I… appreciate you ✌️
I’ve always thought it’s kind of messed up for parents to throw their own expectations on their kids. As a parent, you’re assuming your kid is going to be exactly like you. In all likelihood there will be some things similar physically but for the most part you’ve created an entirely unique individual. My dad and uncles were real into sports, I turned out to be more introspective, musical and creative. Sports were something I was pushed into and I simply pushed through them and went through the motions. Never desired to be a star athlete. I’m quite sure that messed me up in some way. It’s just so hard to understand the thought process in trying to force things. It’s like they didn’t even know me. I did college and pushed my way through that. It was a means to an end, make them happy and then I’ll do my own thing and I’ve been doing it ever since. Family can unknowingly destroy you just as fast as they created you.
People are shocked and almost angry when I say I don't have kids. My reply " I don't like kids" 😁 why would I have kids to ruin what I have going on for my self❓ HELL NO❗
Lol I got fixed at 32- don't like cartoons, baby talk, also of I had 1 kid. I might end up having to take care of them all. And and, can go surfing or camping in the woods ANY day of the Month✨
Too many people trying to compete ,social media has caused this,I'm off instagram for best part of a year because I was always comparing myself to others. I now take happiness from the most simplest things ,eg coffee,swim ,cycle ,TV .
I follow you long enough to say that this is one of the best videos and topics in general that you have talked about. Such an authentic message put it so well. I'm blessed that I found you. Thank you, Timothy.
One of the worst things that happened to mankind is that society/the sheep puts a label on you, and your prime identifier is your job title-where you slave away to a business, corporation, owner, and/or CEO. I can’t stand that in the American culture, the first thing the sheep ask when they first meet you is: “Sooo, What’s your job title/what you do for a living”? That’s the reason why I don’t attend family and relatives' parties & functions. There are no conversations about your favorite hobby or other important things that matter most in this short life we have on this planet. But, society/ the people ask you these questions because it allows them to place you in their little labeled box and treat you as such and according to your job title. I’m sure that if I say that I am a manager at a large financial institution; society will accept me, praise me & put me on a pedestal and these shallow & fake people will treat me with their “so-called hypocrisy and respect”, but these same people will treat me as if I’m subhuman if I tell them that I work as a cleaner for a living-even though I could’ve more life experiences and wisdom with my cleaning job title and probably even more intelligence. Not to offend those with titles that society accepts, but I’ve met some people with titles who are the most close-minded, shallow, bitter, and lack common sense, and intelligence. I can say by experience that I’ve had society-approved desk corporate careers throughout my life (I’m almost 50) and I was always unmotivated, full of stress and always sick with a low immune system, miserable and depressed, and now that I work as a janitor I feel alive, energized, healthier, and have more time and energy for my hobbies and volunteering. My advice is: *Screw society and the judgmental shallow sheep* I’ve been a subscriber for 6 years and I’ve always loved your philosophy in life. Thank you for this message Tim😎👍
So true! People act like societal norms and rules are irrefutable like nature or the laws of physics. The economy for example, money was created by man. It doesn’t grow on trees. We don’t NEED it like we need food and water. It was a man made concept and all the rules surrounding its value, interest rates, how many hours one should work in order to earn it. It’s all made up. It’s all man made. A game they put into play. It’s not real. They could do away with money and implement something else. Then they sell us a bill of goods in order to play the game like buy a house which has been documented as Banks clever way of keeping you indebted to them forever; MORTgage (“mort” means death in French). It’s all manipulation. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. The onus has been shifted onto you so that you become an obedient workhorse citizen.
A lot of people are miserable because they just want more and feel like they don’t have enough. While others are not happy because they’re not doing what they want to do in life. You can’t help others unless you have helped yourself first. W2T!!!!
“It’s funny even areas of our life where we have the opportunity to steer our life the way we want to, we still let other people take control. So we’re going thru life no control and then we wonder why we’re miserable” I don’t know how to thank you for this one.
I'm 29 and have been bouncing around jobs and different towns for the last few years. Someone commented to me the other day that other people my age 'have it together'.. I assume because they have kids and a house, etc. 😂Like, is that all you need to 'have it together'? Stability is an illusion. Being a 'grown up' is an illusion. Sure, you need to take care of yourself, have a purpose, and treat others with respect, etc. But these societal pressures and norms are just suggestions. Live free or die ✌️
I’m happy with my life now and how things are going. I wouldn’t mind living this way for the rest of my life. Great refreshing topic Tim. Thank you so much for bringing it up 🆙 and talking about it in detail.
I just wanted to get an education but I had to work to live. So I figured I’ll just have to enjoy working and get a house and a dog and relationship. When I was made redundant, I realized that I probably won’t be able to do the things I want. I’m 59 now and have to look forward to embracing poverty.
You are absolutely right brother Timothy. Thank you always for your presentations. Living life basing on other people's opinions is sometimes tiresome and leads to misery. Taddeo from Durham, North Carolina
Finally quit my horrendous government job and it's working out perfectly so far. I have been blessed with plenty of money and don't feel like a slave anymore. Also became one of those Jesus people along the way. Haven't had this much hope since I was probably 18.
This is gold!! I need to watch it 10 more times to really let it sink in!!! Rich, poor, successful or not, we all end up in the same place…tomb! Might as well enjoy the ride. I was walking by a group of homeless people in a park in salt lake city today, and they didn’t have much, but they had each other and they looked like they were having a hella of a good time laughing and joking. The looked like pure happiness in that moment.
Tim I must say, you are an extremely inspirational individual. You must have been a philosopher or a sage in a former life, because the words you speak ring so true and the wisdom you possess speaks volumes! Although I've not been following your channel for very long (happened to come across one of your fab videos a while back and was hooked), I find your advice and the topics you talk about really interesting, which I'm sure so many people can relate to or have experienced at some point or another. This video was one I resonated a LOT with. I've struggled for many years, battling with the opinions of others and how I should live my life, looking at what others think I should be doing and what would make others proud of me, rather than doing what I want to do in this life. I'm trying to change that little by little, but damn it's so hard at times, especially when we're constantly bombarded by the media and society as a whole, that we should do this or that. But your video was a refeeshing reminder, of how short this life is and that rather than trying to live a life others want me to live, I should live a life I want to live. Keep the wisdom coming Tim, love your videos! ✊🏻
Welcome to the channel/community! I’m glad this video resonated with you my friend. And I’ll definitely keep the videos coming! Thank you for taking the time to comment and say hello 👊🏾
I’m glad I got married and had kids. But I’m also glad that I never acquired any stuff - this way my kids don’t expect anything from me and nobody has to clean up after me when I’m gone.
This is refreshing. Talks like this is why I love this guy. I have been working on what I want to do, people don’t understand why I do it but that’s ok it’s something I’m passionate about and excited to do!
It's kind of how people say you need to put this on your bucket list why should my bucket list be the same as everyone else's bucket list? The reality is none of us have enough time to do everything we want to do. You will have to prioritize what makes the most sense for you.
Great message in this video too as usual. One has to live his own life in his/her own way it takes courage to do so by ignoring other people's opinions and pressure.
This video came right on time for me. Was battling depression the other day because I still don't have everything society is telling me to have, and I constantly allow it to get to me. Behind the degrees, "fancy job", and salary, I feel completely empty and unfulfilled most days. I'm learning that what I truly crave is inner peace, tranquility, and freedom. It's hard for me to break away from the "hamster wheel" because it feels like I'm in too deep. But your video is helping me to realise my dissatisfaction with life stems from me not truly defining what makes ME happy and always caring about what other people think. Thank you for the inspiration 😊
