Never tell me I can't

Well Memorial day came and went once more. It was great seeing such a wonderful turnout and I was proud to be able to hold the American flag in our local parade. As I was sitting here today I was thinking about my past and what I had gone through in life and where I learned the who, what, where, why and how's. A couple of life experiences came to mind where my future was compromised and I was scared of the outcome. First, while serving in the Marines I sustained an injury to my leg. The Navy doctors didn't think I would be able to walk again. I'll never forget that day. I really wish I could say I injured myself in the line of duty but I can't. I got hurt while playing football. Our CO said instead of training we could play. So while going out for a pass someone stuck their leg out and hit me in the right thigh. I went down like a ton of bricks. My thigh blew up with blood (Six inches bigger than my other thigh). I'll never forget that pain. My doctor said he was afraid that I would never be able to use my leg again. So much for Navy doctors. I went through 6 months of PT and got myself back to work. This Marine would not and could not accept defeat. It's not what I was trained for or taught. My second thought was of a recent injury I sustained. I blew out a disk in my neck between C6 & C7. Doing what I'm not sure. It could have been at work or it could have been while working in my yard. I'm really not sure. I needed surgery and quickly. The pain was a 12 in a scale of 1 - 10. 10 being the worst pain I have every felt. While at the doctors office my doctor walked in, saw me for about 2 minutes, walked out and within 5 minutes he came back in and said I was a lucky man. My surgery that was scheduled for Friday, it was now Monday, was moved up to tomorrow (Tuesday). I'm not sure and I can't prove it but I'm pretty sure he bumped someone for me. That's how much pain I was in. Surgery went well and I was home on Wednesday. I had a couple of weeks off and then started physical therapy. I asked my doctor when I would be able to go back to work. It was now December and he said I said I should be able to go back to work by mid March. I said ok. What else was I going to say. So I went off to PT and I asked my therapist when he thought I could go back to work. I told him what my doctor had said and he said no way would I be able to go back to work by mid March. I asked when and he said not til at least April. No way! I can't and wont be out that long. I can't do it. I need to get back to work. I was afraid I would run out of sick time (I did). I was afraid I would loose my job and have to go out on a disability. No way on God's green Earth was that going to happen nor would I allow it to happen. This is what I did. I called work and got permission to take my turnout gear to use during PT. I'm a firefighter (so much for Navy doctors). My turnout gear consists of pants, jacket, helmet, boots and mask. I would bring my gear to PT with me twice a week and wear it on the treadmill. While I was at home I would wear it on our treadmill and elliptical the rest of the week. I was up to 4 1/2 miles a day. I would not and will not be defeated. It's not in my blood. Long story short...I was back to work by the end of February and by April I had received a commendation for saving a life. So I answered most of my questions. The only one I left out was 'where'. Where did I learn to survive? It wasn't the Marines nor was it the fire department. Where I learned how to fight was my dad. He's always been a great role model for me. He's always taught me to 'suck it up' and 'move on'. He hasn't lived a great life. He's struggled as we all do today. But he made it his life's work to teach my brothers and I to survive. I'm the black sheep of our family. I never got away with anything. I was always the one who got caught doing something stupid. I was always the one who would cost my parents an arm and leg to get me out of trouble. Thanks dad for being a great dad. I love you. With out you and mom I don't know where I'd be.

2nd Anniversary

2nd anniversary 

If you had asked me 7 years ago if I knew that I would marry my girlfriend, I would have said yes. Yesterday was our 2nd wedding anniversary. Two years ago we got married at the light house in my home town then came back to our house for a wonderful reception with our families and close friends who are also family to us.

There’s not a day in my life that has gone by since we first started dating that I don’t thank God for my wife Beth. We were made in Heaven and brought up on Earth to be together. This is my true belief. Ever since I’ve met Beth my life has turned for the better.

We’ve become best friends over the last 7 years. She is my shoe in shine. Ok that was stupid but you get the point ;) .

So last night she came home from work. I was sitting outside looking at some pictures and Beth came over and gave me a hug and kiss then went inside to get changed. To her surprise, she walked into 2 dozen long stem red roses in a glass vase with a little card from me. She came out with a big smile and glowing eyes. She was surprised that I bought a card. I never buy cards. They mostly always end up in the trash. She was a little bummed because we agreed not to buy each other anything. Too bad baby J.

We had a nice evening together. We went to the Cheese Cake Factory for dinner. It was nice to be able to just sit and talk. We don’t get that much alone time due to work and the kids. The food was great and the company was to die for. We came home after and started watching a movie and both of us just crashed laying in bed. Go figure. Just my luck passing out on our anniversary night. No worries. There’s always tonight ;).

Strong and Weak

Sometimes even the strong are weak. Everyone has a breaking point and everyone has one way or another of dealing with it and getting threw their day. Some days are wonderful and some feel like the worst day of their lives. Today I don't know where I am.

I try and try each and every day to be positive and bring a smile to someones face. Most of the time it works. But today I had to put a mask on. I had to be strong and not show my emotions. Right now I feel like crying. Ya see, last night I was informed that a friend of mine had passed away. It was and still is a shock. This is the 3rd person I know and have grown up with most of my life that has passed away with in the last 6 months.

I am feeling that I truly have to believe in my faith in God. No one knows why He takes people from us. My belief is when God says it's time to come home, you go. You go for reasons that only God can answer.

I'm a firefighter/EMT. I've held so many in my arms who have passed on. People ask me all the time, 'how do you get used to it?' My answer is simple; you don't. You just learn to deal with it.

So when I'm holding someone, trying to save their life, I say a little prayer asking God not to take this person. And when He does take them while they're in my care, I also look up and pray not only for the person that He has taken, but also for the family and friends that are left behind.

No one knows when or how they will move on to the next life. So don't you think that we should make the most of every day of our lives? Life is short and it goes by in a blink of an eye. My advice...make up with the people that have angered you or you have had a disagreement with. Fighting is just plan dumb. What are we fighting about? Is it really all that important what we fight about? When my wife and I fight, which isn't that often, I get more upset over the fact that we are fighting.

In today's world we find ourselves getting more agree due to the economy and our government. We are stressed beyond belief. We don't know where to turn. I've seen more and more people getting frustrated and flipping out over the stupidest things and it all narrows down to money and the above mentioned.

Take time to share love. Take time to hold your hand out and help someone in need. Remember that love IS the answer. Love not only others but love yourself and believe in your faith whatever that my be. If someone is freaking out on you, instead of yelling back, think to yourself why is this person so angry. Did they have a bad day? Did something happen to make they lash out at me because I'm the only one in the room? Just think about it before you react.

Peace is in your heart. Feel it. Embrace it. Have faith and try to be positive in everything you do.

Peace, it's a wonderful thing. Spread it.

Peace and love always,
Rick

Some Days

Some days are better than others. Some days you can't see through the woods. But my belief is there is light at the end of every tunnel. Everything happens for a reason. In the world today, as we know it, it's not easy to get through every day with a smile. You have to keep positive and look on the bright side of EVERYTHING. Everything happens for a reason.

Some people think I have it all together. I don't but I try my hardest. I live by saying what would Jesus do (thanks mom). It's a curse I tell ya but it works for me. I have to be positive on everything I do. I tell myself this every time a crisis occurs, which has been a little too frequent for my liking lately.

Being positive, for me, comes from my faith; my faith in God and my faith in the human race. Some days I feel like I want to give it all up and just run away...sound familiar? But I can't. Other days I'm on top of the world. Some days I have to count my blessing and other days...well you get the point.

Yesterday a friend of mine who I haven't seen in a while said she loved my work (photography) and loved my little happy posting of facebook. We sat and talked about life and the world and one thing that stuck out in my mind was something I always try to remember and that is if people were more kind to each other on a daily basis, life would seem so difficult. If everyone reached out a helping hand, life would be less stressful. I know it's hard to believe. I know it's hard to do. But you have to take a deep breathe (breathing is always a good thing) and compose yourself. After all, proactive is always better than reactive.

I hope this helps you get threw your day. Remember to never go to bed angry and tell the people that mean the most to you that you love them. Say it often and mean it. Have patience when times get tough and smile as much as possible.

Peace and love to all.

This

THIS

Sometimes I can’t find the words in my head to describe what I’m thinking or feeling. Even the best of us loose it. We feel beaten and depressed. We feel old and sheltered. But this only lasts for a moment in time and then we move on. Even though while we are going through troubled times and it seems like it lasts forever, we need to focus on the real problem at hand. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed we can’t see through the woods or even see straight for that matter.

How do we overcome these times? Everyone is different when it comes to letting everything go and dealing with life. For some it may be writing, reading or going for a walk. Others work out or do errands to get their mind off what ever is troubling them. Meditation is another release which I will do from time to time.

When life is troubling me, for what ever reason it is, I sit in a quiet room, listen to some earth music and gather my thoughts. I’ll close my eyes, breathe deeply (exhaling is highly recommended) and I’ll see all the beauty that has been promised to me from a higher power. I’ll see that life here on Earth is only the beginning for me. I’ll realize that every single thing that is bothering me is just a little thing. I’ll understand what ever is bothering me is not worth getting all upset over because in the end, it really doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter that my kid drove the car threw the garage door. It doesn’t matter that my other son got suspended from school. It doesn’t matter that I lost someone at work today. What matters is that I have a loving family and friends who mean ever thing to me. What matters is that I’ve touched someone’s soul today. It matters that I helped someone feel good about themselves. If I’ve reached out and touched you in some way that made a difference in a positive manner than I’ve done my job for the day. This is what my ‘higher power’ has taught me.

Like a lot of you, this has been a very trying week for me. I’ve busted my ass all week and got some terrible news and the only thing I can do is pray because it‘s all in God‘s hands and I can do nothing to prevent or cure it. I’ve been the subject of jokes and made fun of (all in good humor. No worries) and today I let it all get to me. I was quiet all day and when I finally got some free time to myself , I started to write this. ‘This’, is my escape. ‘This’, is what helps me recover. ‘This’, is what is right for me. If you haven’t guessed yet and are asking yourself what ’this’ is, ’this’ is writing. I have a lot of different ’This’s’.
‘This’ helps me to focus on what my life will be tomorrow. What ever your ’this’ is, do it and do it now and often because no one likes a grouch first thing in the morning.

Have faith. Love much and often. Try to lend a helping hand. Be kind to others even if they are not kind to you.

Peace to you and all you touch.

Rick

Being Positive

I did not write this but it is worth sharing. It might just help with your day. Peace. It's a wonderful thing. Share it.

Read this�LET IT REALLY SINK IN...THEN CHOOSE

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!'

'You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood - I choose to be in a good mood.'

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it..

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident..

When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked.

He continued, '...the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Show Me The Way

I see faces in the clouds and hear whispers in the wind.

I’ve reached out to hold you but can’t touch a thing.

You are within me yet I don’t know how to open up.

You stand beside me and I know you are there

It started long ago when I was just a child

An infant in your arms I am helpless without you

Bring me the strength to bring love to this world

Show me the way so that I may bring joy.

Come to me and take my hand

Walk with me as you always have

Let me see your shining face.

Let me fly with you to ever lasting peace

New Year 2010

Well it's New Years 2010. It's time for new beginnings. A fresh slate. A new chapter in your book of life. Have you thought about what this new chapter will be about? I can only hope for the best this year. Last year was a difficult one but in the same sense, it was a joyous year for my family and me. I'm hoping this year will be better. Last year I married the greatest person I know, our ebay business turned out fabulous, I connected with friends I haven't heard from in years and I didn't have to work during Christmas. I got to see my family and friends and met some really cool people this past year. How do I beat 2009? I just keep doing the same thing; spreading the love and peace that this world needs so badly.

It's amazing to me how much we grow up and how quickly it happens. How we lose touch and get reconnected again after so many years. It's a good thing life is. Hence, 'Life is Good'.

Let's make this year a better year. Contact friends and family you haven't seen or heard from in a while. You'll be surprised with the welcome you get.

I've been doing this over the last couple of years. A few years ago my very close friend (to be considered a brother) of mine passed away suddenly. His name was Jay and he was a life time friend. I met Jay when I was 14. We had the same friends and soon became brothers.

When I went to the wake and funeral I saw friends that I hadn't seen in years. It was awesome seeing these people that I shared my childhood with. I got everyone's email address and suggested a reunion. To my surprise, everyone attended. Like the good ole days, we partied til 6:30 in the morning. We've been doing this now for 4 years (maybe 5 but who's counting).

Ya know what the great thing about my friends are? After not seeing them for years and I mean years, as soon as we saw each other, it was like we talked yesterday. I know you have friends like that.

In closing; keep in touch with the people you love. Family and friends are all the same to me. Make new friends and see your family more. Make peace. Do something nice for people and try not to get caught up in the every day life we all know oh so well.

Peace to you and all you love.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a wonderful day. It was Thanksgiving and for the 13 year in a row, I played football with close friends. After we played, I went to the local high school football game, which I hadn't been to in years, and I had a blast catching up with friends I haven't seen since high school.

Like we do every year, my wife and I went to my parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Mom and dad were upset due to the fact that they just put Poco, their dog, down. And to top things off my uncle was very ill in the hospital. Mom asked me to say grace because she didn't think she could make it through it. Normally I would ask my cousin Beth to do it but I felt deep down that I had something to say and I agreed.

Instead of saying grace with a prayer to God, I said what I was thankful for. I said I was thankful for my new wife and new family. I was grateful that my family was together and asked for a moment of silence for those who had either gone before us or couldn't make it for dinner. It was short and sweet and by the smile on mom's face; I knew I had done a good job.

I think every day should be a holiday. Every day should be Thanksgiving, Christmas or Chaunnaka. Wouldn't that be great?!!! Can you imagine? I don't know about anyone else but the holidays to me have always been a very happy time. Families get together and enjoy each others company. We laugh, make fun of each other (in a good way) and tell jokes.

Imagine every day with a smile on your face and on the face of all the people around you. Is this possible? I think so. Anything is possible. Anything can be done. All we have to do is put our minds to it, think positive and embrace the love.

I wonder if this is what Heaven is like. Every day living in peace is hard for us to fathom. But it's not impossible. Every day we have choices to make. We try to make the right choices but sometimes it doesn't end up being the right choice. At least we try and trying is all any one can ask.


I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I wish you all peace, love and happiness all the days of your life.


Peace is possible. All we have to do is spread the love and peace will be among us.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a great day for me. It was basically family day here at our house. We got up not too late and I made breakfast for Beth and all the kids. Then later Beth and I went outside and did some gardening. The kids were all in the house playing games and I don't think I heard one argument. For some of you this would sound like a normal Sunday but it goes further than that for me.

I had a different feeling yesterday. A feeling of togetherness. A feeling of being needed and wanted. A feeling of comfort. I new that there was peace in the house and I knew my kids weren't getting in trouble.

There is something to be said for this. To each individual it might be something different but for me it's called family bonding. Even if nothing is said while working or playing games it's knowing that we're a family and we're there for each other. Family is everything. There's nothing more important than your own. Cherish it and hold on. Family means love to me. Different families show love in many different ways. Some yell like my grandparents used to do on a daily basis.
Some say it and some don't. The important thing is love and togetherness, peace and harmony is possible. It's our task to make sure it happens more often. Spread the love.

I think we should shorten the work week to everybody works 3 days a week. Monday through Wednesday for the 1st shift (8 hours a day) and 2nd shift would be Thursday through Saturday. Every one has Sunday off. This way maybe we could spend more time with our families. And maybe this way there would be more peace and more harmony within this world.

Peace to all.

Rick

Life and death

The other night I was working here at the fire station and my mom called. At her 1st words I knew something was wrong. She told me that she and dad had to put down their dog Poco. She was upset and crying and I knew she wanted me to come by to be with them. I felt badly that I couldn't but I knew she understood.

Poco had been in pain and couldn't walk without his training wheels. Mom and dad used to take him for walks in a baby carriage. He couldn't pee without the help of my parents. They would have to hold him while squeezing him like you would a fruit to get juice. It wasn't a good quality life for a dog.

Although it was difficult for me to say, like I had done a couple times before, Poco had to be put down. It wasn't a good quality for life.

Why do we mourn for the dead? We mourn for our loss. We mourn because we will miss our loved one(s). Are we being selfish? I think so, but that's ok. Should we mourn? Yes, we are human. We will recover. What else should we do? We should celebrate the life of our loved ones. Celebrate because they will live for eternity in a better place without pain and suffering. Yes I believe that even dogs go to heaven.

Life here on Earth is temporary. We need to live life to its fullest. Tomorrow might not come. We've all heard this before but do we live life to the fullest? It's hard but life is hard. We don't live our lives like tomorrow might not come. We take it for granted that tomorrow we will open our eyes in the morning. We take for granted that the Sun will shine. We take for granted that we live in freedom. Can we afford to do this? NO! We can't.

As the world changes so should we because tomorrow might not come. The Sun might not shine. We might not open our eye and we might not be free. Live today for today. Live life like every day was your last. Hold onto what you have. Embrace life like you would embrace a loved one. Let the people in your life know you love them every day. Show them. Tell them. Teach them even while in an argument. Never go to bed without telling the people you love most how much you love them.

We've all heard this before and we've all said this before. Most of us will go to bed angry without showing their love. Again, we're only human. But if we make more of an effort to show our love to others then we become a better person. If we help someone in need, we become a better person. We need to reach out and pass on the love because that's what life is all about. And if we do this we become a better person and we'll feel great about ourselves. This is the 1st step in being able to change the world for a better place. If we find happiness within it makes life a better place for all. If you find true inner peace you will find that your inner peace can and will make a difference in others.

When I first got on the fire department I was in a Memorial Day parade. I was sitting in the back of Engine 1 and my parents had dropped off my son who was 4 or 5 at the time. So I got permission to let my son ride with us on the engine during the parade. As we were coming up to a crowd of elderly people I noticed that there wasn't a smile on any of the faces in the crowd. I said to my son, "hey Rob, smile and wave at all the old people. It'll make them smile." Rob thought I was crazy. He also thought this was great and he did what I had asked him to do. Rob started waving and smiling like crazy as we drove past the crowd. To his surprise, not only did the elderly people smile but they waved back. Rob thought this was awesome. He laughed and was so happy as were the crowd. What he didn't realize was, I just taught him that a smile is contagious and a smile can make someone very happy. The crowd had gone from looking miserable to shining like the sun because of a smile from a child. Isn't that great?! A small gesture goes a long way.

True happiness comes from within. This I believe. Love yourself 1st. Once you love yourself then and only then can you shine. You and only you can make yourself happy. No one can make you happy except you. Others can help you and you can help others to find peace and happiness.

Show your love and shine every day. It's funny how contagious it can be. Spread it and embrace it. Teach it and lead by example. If we all did it, think of what a beautiful world it will be.

Peace to you and all you love.

Rick

Change

I'm trying to write something to inspire people to change. To change the way we look at others, to change the way we treat people whether we know them or not; whether we like them or not. Do we change or do we just sit and watch the cruelty go by? In this I mean, can we look at "The Big Picture of Life" and realize that if we don't change ours ways soon, how can we make this world a better place? We can't make it a better place unless we are willing and able to change.

I see life come and go and of all ages. People die. It's a part of life. We accept it and move on. But before I die I want to be able to say at the gates of Heaven that I've tried to spread the love. I tried to make people realize that life isn't about money or social status. It's about being kind and generous to others. It's about taking the time to not just walking with blinders on. Open your eyes and see the beauty this world has to offer. See the beauty in everything around you and everyone around you. Even the meanest people you know have a good side.

Think about that guy who just cut you off. You're pissed. You want road rage. You want to slap him in the head. But, if you take a second to think about it and ask yourself 'is he really getting to that place he needs to be any sooner as he's at a stop at the red light in front of you? It's kinda funny if you ask me. Or, take the same situation and ask yourself, 'is he in a hurry because one of his loved ones is in the hospital or something bad has happened? For Pete sake what ever the reason is, let it go. It's not important. Just let him and it go. Life is too short to get so angry plus think of all the energy you're wasting. Your body and mind don't need the stress

If you leave a comment, and I hope you do, please leave ways about how we can change and how we can do our part to change others. Let's face it, we can't change everyone but we can surely try.

Peace to all and much love,
Rick

This being my 1st blog, I want to address the world as we see it today. I want to reach out and change this world by opening peoples minds and heart so that they may look at what I call 'The Big Picture of Life".

I was brought up believing in peace, love and togetherness. I do not believe that God put us on Earth to close up our borders. I don't think we should have borders to begin with. We should all live as 1 nation that strives for unity. We need to work towards a better Earth before we destroy it I believe that He put us here to be a loving, caring people. I'm not trying to preach.

We need love people. This world is in such turmoil. What gives anyone the right to say this part of land belongs to me? It belongs to the people of the Earth.

My future blogs will talk about how to make it a better world. I've spoken about communication, being kind to others, and a list of other things which I will repeat until I'm blue in the face.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I hope you agree with what I have to say. Please pass the word of "The Big Picture".

Take care and be good to everyone.