Eric Thomas | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer

Nancy Reagan RIP — Photo credit: Marion Doss via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Former First Lady, Nancy Reagan passed away today.

Nancy was known for her “Just Say No” campaign against drugs, her husbands accomplishments, and the deep love that she and her husband had for each other – a rock that made everything they did together possible. As with her husband, losing her will not go unnoticed.

So in honor of her and her husband’s legacy, here’s a few videos that really cut to the heart of what she and Ronnie were about. Namely passion, strength, and the power of the individual to determine their own success. And through those things, people will have a better life and we will be better as a country.

So starting with this short but moving unveiling of the Ronald Reagan statue.

Nancy Reagan – RIP – “Ronald Reagan Statue Unveiling”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUl_5B-4zw8[/youtube]

On to a teen heartthrob movie actor who shows he’s much more than that – a deep thinker with words of wisdom for the ages.

Ashton Kutcher – Teen Choice Awards 2013 Acceptance Speech

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuBSRC1zpHw[/youtube]

And for those who like to blame others for their lack of success, here’s a rant from comedian, Adam Carolla, about why taking from the rich isn’t really the solution to our problems as a society or a nation.

Adam Carolla – “What’s the Problem With Being Rich?”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB4C2sdjPQw[/youtube]

Steve Jobs and his co-creations, “Apple” and “Pixar” gave him the platform to share thoughts about life and how things are and how they should be. A moving address to the Stanford graduates.

Steve Jobs – 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc[/youtube]

Back to Ronald Reagan. Here’s a classic speech about how not to look to Washington for our solutions. This is very appropriate today as we see the implosion of both political parties and the emergence of anti-establishment candidates (Trump, Cruz, Sanders) due to so many decades of abuse of the voters by both political parties (and the feeding of their own careers and donors at the expense of the people who vote them into office).

Ronald Reagan – “Government is the Problem”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IlcDvXaUCw[/youtube]

Moving over to a sporting entertainer in “The Rock”. The “Bring It” movement.

The Rock – “Bring It”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jVpCq9ibAg[/youtube]

And a clip from a later iteration of Rocky. Where he counsels his son on how to overcome what life and other people throw at you.

Rocky Balboa – “Sunshine and Rainbows”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Vg4uyYwEk[/youtube]

And let’s close things out with a speech by Eric Thomas. One that wraps up the angst that seems to be rampant between the haves and have nots and how what you are and who you become is up to you and only you.