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I was in the Air Force a while and they had what they call "policing the area." That's where you looked around and if there's anything wrong here, there, anywhere, you took care of your own area. And I think that's a pretty good thing to go by. If everyone just takes care of their own area then we won't have any problems. Be here. Be present. Wherever you are, be there. And look around you and see what needs to be changed.
Willie Nelson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Take responsibility for your surroundings and be present in the moment.

This quote emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and awareness in creating a better environment. By urging individuals to 'police' their own areas, it promotes the idea that if everyone takes care of their immediate surroundings and actively engages with the present, many issues can be alleviated and meaningful change can occur.

Themes

ResponsibilityPresenceAwarenessChangeAction

In practice

Example use cases

During a team meeting, I shared this quote to highlight the importance of collective responsibility.

More from Willie Nelson

I take it not only a day at a time, but a moment at a time, and keep it at that pace. If you can be happy right now, then you’ll always be happy, because it’s always in the now
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Since I was a kid, music was what I wanted to do. I thought I could make it by my own talents. That's what I wanted to prove.
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Little things I should have said and done I just never took the time You were always on my mind
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Songwriters might write cynical, world-wise lyrics and constantly talk about money, but most of us are downright naive when it comes to business.
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I started out really young, when I was four, five, six, writing poems, before I could play an instrument. I was writing about things when I was eight or 10 years old that I hadn't lived long enough to experience. That's why I also believe in reincarnation, that we were put here with ideas to pass around.
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Gatewood Galbraith was a good friend, and a tireless advocate for the repeal of the ridiculous ban on hemp & marijuana. His book ‘The Last Free Man Standing’ says it all.
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