I recently heard someone say that the reason the TV news usually features bad news is because we wouldn't watch if it were all good news. Has it really come to that? Have we become so engrossed in turmoil and destruction that we need to view others misery to make ourselves feel better? How often do we hear people say that it's not their fault"? Well, with all due respect to the Queen of talk TV, and her legion of wannabes (IE. Dr. Phil, Ellen, Tyra, etc, etc etc), I've grown weary of people going on these shows to tell the world that the reality of their lives is not their fault. "Well Oprah, it's not my fault I weigh 500 pounds: its that Mommy didn't hug me enough!" OK, this may be a little drastic, but you get my point. How many of us have sat there yelling at the TV, "Put the cupcake down and move away from the french fries!" I remember watching the Oscar's one night, with the great comedian Steve Martin hosting. A sculptured hunk presenter came out to hand Steve the statue to be presented in some category. Steve looked at the guy and said, "I'd do anything to look like that. Well, except diet and exercise." And there you have it. We all have the power to be better than we are, but to many of us still use reasons to except who we are. I was watching the latest Rocky movie last night, "Rocky 27 The Geriatric Years" I think was the title, and he had a great little speech to his son. The son was complaining that his Father's actions were making his life harder, and the Rock said something to the effect of, "Don't let the actions of others dictate your life. You have the power to define your own life." Wow, this from Rocky!!
I recently read an article about a young woman, Jessica Cox, who was born with a very serious birth defect. She was born with no arms, and has lived her life using her feet to accomplish all the things most of us just take for granted. She can now play the piano, put in her contact lens, text message, and even drive a car, using her feet! As a holder of a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, there wasn't much that scared her. Except flying. Adopting her own Many Reasons No Excuses philosophy, she went out and earned her pilot's license. She is now flying solo, and lands the plane, using her feet! This is a young woman who had every right to sit at home, and complain about her lot in life. But not Jessica. Where others saw obstacles, she saw opportunity. With her lucky flying tee shirt emblazoned with her motto, "Look Ma, No Hands!", she truly reaches new heights in the Many Reasons No Excuses world of can do attitude.
Well, that's it for Blog #1. Please feel free to comment, and thank you taking the time to read my rant! Happy New Year!!
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Greg..you've hit on a critical point in the deconstruction of our society,let someone else do it...if they do it wrong..sue them..and all the while repaet the montra..."it's not my fault".
ReplyDeleteI really thing it would do us all well to remember and embrace the fact that we are the product of the "Greatest Generation"..they saved a world..can we,should we do any less.
Alien
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
ReplyDelete--Henry Ford,
founder of Ford Motor Co
As we spin through this galaxy on the fragile rock we call Earth, we encounter many “Obstacles” everyday, be them personal, professional, health, relationships, or just getting out of bed in the morning. The difference between winning and whining, is finding the solution. Whiners allow reasons to interfere with their potential success and happiness. Winners find solutions. Obviously, it’s not that easy, or everyone would do it, and in some cases, such as health, there isn’t always going to be a solution. But as in the example of Jessica Cox, there are ways of dealing with every situation, even terminal, that can make for our time here to be so much more palatable. The late great actor Steve McQueen, when diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, suspected to have been brought on by years of wearing fire proof race car clothing with asbestos, used his time to explore experimental research, knowing that with what time he had left, it may be used to help others. Or the professor, Randy Pausch, whose posthumous book, co-written by Jeffrey Zaslow, helped tell of reaching for childhood dreams and living with both joy and integrity, while leaving a legacy for his children, knowing he would not be there to help raise them. He challenges them to have fun, take risks, make time for what matters, and tell the truth. A legacy any parent would hope for their offspring. How difficult was this? Impossible for most of us. Yet Randy looked at his options, and decided that instead of lying in bed and waiting for the inevitable, he would use the time he had to maximize his ability to reach his children, after the unfortunate would certainly happen.
So, my advice is, if the sun hasn’t set on you yet, get up and make your life shine!
But, how to do that? Please, share your ideas!
Michael B. Beckwith is saying if you really want a happy new year, there is going to have be a happy new you. Be willing to let go of anything that blocks the best in you from emerging. (From The Secret) Yes, yes.....I cannot deny it....I am a fan of The Secret! ha ha
ReplyDeleteThe 3 essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: 1. Hard work 2. Stick-to-it-iveness 3. Common sense ~ Thomas Edison
ReplyDeleteWhat is Hustle? Hustle is doing something that everyone is absolutely certain can not be done. Hustle is getting the order because you got there first, or stayed after everyone else gave up. Hustle is shoe leather and elbow grease and sweat and missing lunch or dinner. Hustle is getting the prospect to say yes after they've said no twenty times. Hustle is doing more unto the customer than the other guy is doing unto him. Hustle is believing in yourself and the business you are in. Hustle is the sheer joy of winning. Hustle is being the sorriest loser in town. Hustle is hating to take a vacation because you might miss a piece of the action. Hustle is Heaven if you are a hustler. Hustle is Hell if you are not. Moral of the story ~ Do the Hustle!
Ohhhhh and after we do the hustle, let's samba! ( in Brazil during Carnival, the ladies do it topless). Now there are many reasons for me to keep my shirt on while doing the samba! Lucky for me, being over 500 pounds is not one of them. What I learned a long time ago from reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull is: argue for your limitations and they are yours! That is I need to push away from the computer and get outside, go for a run! So later if I want to samba topless it will be appreciated. Eppie out!
ReplyDelete