Add a Caption – #1

I thought a series of posts where our readers give a caption to a random picture from our photo album would be fun. Here’s the first picture in this series. Please leave your caption as a comment.

 

A post for Margie

Just one more way for me to remind you how much I love you!

 

The Boy Without Eyes Who Could See

I am not sure who I think is more amazing. This young man or his mother. Be sure to listen to what they both have to say, and you will see why I find that they are both amazing.

Imagine losing your eyes in childhood from cancer. We’d be pretty whiney. Not this young man. Watch the YouTube video by clicking the play symbol to see just how amazing this young man and his mother are. After watching the video, take an inventory of what you are capable of doing and know that no matter what happens–YOU CAN! You can what? Just YOU CAN! There is NOTHING you can’t do. (story made available through Oddee.)

 

Be The Change

 

Be Great

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” (written by inspirational guru Marianne Williamson) Quote made available by MaryAnn Johanson of the Flick Filosopher.

 

Accomplish Something

After checking the latest results on my poll, I noticed someone is interested in more posts on Accomplishment. I decided to do a little research. How many people want to accomplish something–I thought to myself. I went to 43 Things to find that out. A total of 11,590 people have actually set up goals on 43 things that match the tag or goal of “Accomplish Something”. This of course doesn’t include those people who have never been to 43 Things or who have never actually written out a goal. I’m sure you could probably multiply that number by 100 and you still would not have a true number of those who want to “accomplish something.”

According to Merriam-Webster, accomplishment has three definitions. I think this is where we have a problem with feeling as if we haven’t accomplished something. The definitions are:

Main Entry: ac·com·plish·ment
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈkäm-plish-mənt, -ˈkəm-\
Function: noun Date: 15th century
1: the act of accomplishing : completion
2: something that has been accomplished : achievement
3 a: a quality or ability equipping one for society b: a special skill or ability acquired by training or practice

1. The act of accomplishing : completion–we do this every day. We go to work. We cook. We clean (sometimes). We take care of children or others that need our care. We “accomplish” a lot in the course of a day.

2. Something that has been accomplished : achievement. Hmmm, what does achievement mean? According to Merriam-Webster, it means “a result gained by effort” or “a great or heroic deed” — ahhh haaa! I think we just found it. We want to do something GREAT! Have you watched the video on my post entitled “Be Great!” If you haven’t, be sure to read the quote (outloud with feeling) and then watch the video. After doing that, make a list of things that move you. Be sure to read my post of what motivates you. It will help you to identify what you need to be able to do something “great or heroic”.

3. A quality of ability equipping one for society : a special skill or ability acquired by training or practice. Ok, so is this the definition that best fits you? If this is the one that best fits you, then you need to identify what skill you feel you want or need to acquire. Note the definition doesn’t say a special skill miraculously given to you. It is a skill that is “acquired by training or practice”.

So, how do you accomplish something? First, you need to identify which definition best describes you. Each one will require something different. If it is the first definition, then you need to make a list of all the things you do in a day, and step back and realize just how much you did already accomplish. Give yourself credit for that accomplishment and feel happy that you are accomplishing all that you need to.

If you identify with the second definition, then follow my instructions listed on number 2. I will also be happy to help you in this phase if you’d write me a narrative of what you are feeling. I’ll write you back with my evaluation, and give you suggestions to try. Just click here to email me.

If you fall into the third definition, you need to follow number 2 as well and when writing your list be sure to identify “skills” you are wanting to acquire. Use the link above to email me your list, and I will email you a list of how you can acquire those skills.

This is of course step one to accomplishing something. Step two will actually be “doing it”. I know many of you feel that you are already at step two, but I submit to you that you are wrong. You have not properly prepared yourself for accomplishment; therefore, you have not been able to accomplish something. You have the drive to accomplish something, but don’t know how. Let me help you. Write me. See the link above or on the side bar. I want to get some responses. Let’s do it!

 

“You are going to die!”

We’ve resolved to do something different with our lives at some point in time. Often this type of reflection takes place as a new year approaches. I found the following article by Tony Horton to be the motivating words a lot of us need to hear in order to take us from concept to reality:

The title of this blog is much more than a means to grab your attention. With the start of a new year it’s typical for many people to establish new disciplines (temporarily), but the new year is also a reminder that time is flying at light speed, literally. With every passing nanosecond we all get a little closer to death. You know, that thing that happens to everyone. Your final day on earth, rigermortous sets in, the end. It seems to me that quite a lot of people meander through life as if death isn’t coming. We act as if we have all the time in the world. We wait, hesitate, procrastinate and blow-off life altering opportunities all the time. Our goals, ideas and aspirations are put on hold for some ideal moment in the distant future. We dillydally and waist our precious time on a mishmash of nonsensical meaningless crap that consumes years of our lives. Why and for what? Most often it’s because we’re scared. Scared to live at our full potential. Why take the risk when you think we’re going to live forever? I’m here to tell you that your life on this earth is precious and shorter than you think. Turning 50 this year proved that to me. I swear it feels like I was in high school ten minutes ago. Turns out that was over 30 years ago! As we get older change can become more daunting with every passing day. You don’t have to be at midlife for this to be true. Teenagers get just as stuck as people in their 50s and 60s. I’ve seen people give up and thrown in the towel at all ages. We’ve all been an eyewitness to the tragedies of misguided lives. The hope and optimism of childhood gives way to despair and disappointment with one bad experience after another. It’s the saddest thing in the world. Maybe you know what I’m talking about.

Is there hope for the fallen? Can we turn it around after years of wasting time, procrastinating, plenty of hardship and waiting for the right moment that never comes? Hell yes! The good news is that you can have the life you dreamed of as a kid without meds and therapy. Step one is moving. Turns out that it doesn’t really matter how you move. What matters is that you do. Step two involves eating healthy food. Whole food that feeds the body, spirit and especially the mind. The garbage this country eats most of the time is killing us. Junk food and fast food (AKA food porn) does NOT fuel our desire to grow, learn and change. It keeps us in a state of flux and despair. If you have problems, procrastinate and feel stuck in general, odds are you’re overweight, out of shape and eat junk. The deck is stacked against you if you’re overweight and out of shape. Your brain can’t function to solve problems properly if your feeding your mouth tons of sugar and grease. If you like a life of quite desperation then continue to spend endless hours sitting and laying around. If procrastination, sadness, depression, low self esteem and a state of malaise fits your lifestyle then continue to eat candy, cupcakes, high fructose corn syrup, fried food, saturated fats, soda pop, processed carbs, hot dogs and tons of cheese on your pepperoni pizza. Nobody gets away with making lame choices in this world. Sooner or later (turns out later comes sooner than you thought) your bad behavior will ruin your life.

Good behavior can and will save your life. Good behavior will give you the opportunity to turn misery into joy and happiness. In the end it’s joy and happiness we seek. Authentic joy and happiness comes from treating ourselves and others with respect and civility. Adult toys (cars, homes, jewelry, etc), prestige, money and looks are usually a means to short term pleasures. These things feed the ego. The ego isn’t real. It’s your desire to create a false you to present to the world. Nothing but smoke and mirrors to make you feel better than someone else. Yuck! What is good behavior? You know exactly what it is by now. It’s a matter of whether you want to practice it consistently or not. The more disciplined you are the less problems you’ll have. Honestly! For real! Life will still come at you at a million miles an hour and the issues in your life will still exist, but when you exercise and eat right you create the brain chemistry of a person who can deal with issues, problems and challenges productively and happily. Other variables like proper sleep and stress management skills play a roll as well, but the foundation of “the good life” comes from the two things that make you a joyous happy human being. Exercise and healthy food. Period. The clock is ticking and your death is inevitable, so while your here why not take the first steps toward a better life. Get off the fence, ask for help, start moving, eat your veggies, enjoy the journey, enjoy the power of right now, push play and experience the life you desire and deserve.

 

Life Without Limbs

Just when I begin to feel frustrated from not being able to walk with ease because of my knee pain, I run across just an AWESOME man as Nick Vujicic. Now twenty five years old, Nick was born without limbs; however, he has not permitted what we would consider a major set back to be such. This video would have to rank among the top for both motivational and inspirational video/story for me. Watching this video makes me want to walk, touch, succeed, with the sky being the limit. I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.

Nick’s Message

Perspective

See what you DO have instead of what you don’t. Be thankful. Know who you are. If you only know of one positive thing in your life or about you, then you focus on THAT one positive thing and grow from there.

Vision

Always move forward. One step at a time. Stop procrastinating. Do not put off today what you can accomplish in the day. “The day you believe you’ve reached your fullest potential is the day YOU HAVE NOT.”

Visit http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ for more information about Nick. You can also search his name in YouTube and find lots of videos on him. Nick’s goal is to share with the world what no one else can share with them. His desire is to give the world hope in whatever their desires are. Nick–you’ve definitely done that for me!

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo_24_qTNac Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bL3GR4iAW0 Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O6OluBxGtM Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY5Uo1PfZuY Share with Christians needing uplifting or those who are lost. This is an awesome Christian message.

http://www.myspace.com/lifewithoutlimbs Nick’s My Space page. Scroll down and watch the slide show of his activities throughout the world. What an awesome model for us.

 

Pic of Margie in the Bathroom

This is a test to see if sex really sells… here’s a pic Margie took standing in our new bathroom:

After

Before

 

New Year’s Resolutions

Have you considered what your New Year’s Resolution is going to be? I thought I’d list a few that I think we could all benefit from setting.

1. To call family more.
2. To say, I love you more.
3. To begin considering what legacy you’ll leave your children.
4. To treat the people you love (and those that love you) like today is the last day of his or her life.
5. To stop smoking (or at least greatly cutting back–start by vowing not to smoking around anyone and not in your home. It will help you begin to cut back).
6. To control overeating (forget the big weight loss goal, just vow to control overeating and the weight loss will come).
7. To learn about a new country.
8. To make a new friend (one from a different culture).
9. To spend less time alone and more time with family and friends.
10. To be less impulsive when spending and teach your children the value of saving.

There is nothing on this list that we can’t ALL do but most of them are things that we don’t do. I encourage you to pick one, two or ten as a resolution for 2009.

Have you considered any good resolutions you’d like to share? Submit them as a comment here.