Series Of Misfortunes

“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.”
Michel de Montaigne (French Philosopher and Writer. 1533-1592)

I recently took my sixteen year old son to the funeral of another sixteen year old friend. A very nice young boy that was in an unfortunate accident. Two of three boys were killed in that accident and those lives remaining were changed forever. The driver of the other vehicle is the son of friends that are close to my brother-in-law.

There was no fault of this other driver and the young man driving the vehicle in which the three boys were in simply over-corrected when his car went off the side of the road. Unfortunate circumstances that brought time to a stop much too early for these two young boys.

Montaigne wrote that his life was full of terrible misfortune. Misfortune as having been party to an accident, having a friend die tragically or other life changing events. But your life is not a series of misfortunes. Do not let the hard things in life convince you that all of life is bad. Take this as a life changing event. Carry on the memory of who that person was, what the event meant and create something bigger and better from it. That something is your life, to carry on in a greater manner.

Bad things will happen in life and it is we who choose the path to follow afterwards. Create a path of greatness from the lessons of misfortune. Remember with fondness the memory of those gone before you and hold onto the dream of a bright tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My heartfelt prayers and condolences to both families. Your pain and sorrow will ease in time. Take hold of the loving memory that each of your sons gave to you. Let it be a gift from each of them to last your life.

JOHN MICHAEL SEFCIK
John Michael Sefcik, age 16 of Buford, GA, died Tuesday, February 20, 2007 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Mr. Sefcik is survived by his father and step mother, John and Liuba Sefcik, Buford, GA; Mother, Carmen A. Sefcik, Germany; Brother, Timo Sefcik, Germany; Brother and Fiancé’, Rouven Sefcik and Alicia Newman, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware; Step Brother, Sasha Alov, Buford, GA. Many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Michael was born in Pruem, Germany while his father was serving in the U.S. Military and lived in the metro Atlanta area the past 6 years. He was a student at Mill Creek High School.
Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel (www.hamiltonmillchapel.com)

PAUL COLEMAN
Paul Coleman age 16 of Buford died Tuesday, February 20, 2007. Paul is survived by his parents Jon, Jr. and Ronna Coleman, of Buford; Paternal Grandparents- Jon, Sr. and Pat Coleman, of Hampton, GA; Maternal Grandparents- Don and Donna Townsend, Of Texas. Paul was of the Baptist Faith and attended Mill Creek High School.
Tapp/Tim Stewart Funeral Home (www.stewartfh.com)

Why Don't He Write No More

It has been a few too many days since I've written. Even though I do not consider myself a writer, I can feel sort of what it is like to have 'writers block.' With my work and all that goes on in life, my mind has drifted to other parts of that life. Yet I do find myself wondering how many of the great writers may have dealt with this.

Even many of the inspirational speakers that weekly get up and speak to thousands of people must go through periods and seasons. Just how many ways can you describe the benefits of living life in a positive way? Examples abound out there and I read as much as time will allow.

The stories, the anecdotes or even the occassional comic are all intended to give you different perspectives of attitude. I have been struggling to find a way to place these stories to book. Is there a formula that works for many of you. Should it be 365 days of attitude, a book, a daily calendar or attitude fortune cookies?

Maybe those of you out there could help me. I'm looking for a publisher or how to contact the appropriate ones with the idea. I'm looking for affirmation that there would be interest out there. And maybe I should take my own advice and simply step out there and simply do it.

Send me your comments and I'll get my 'inspiration' back soon enough. Writing today is the first step in starting it all back up again.

Doors Of Change

Picture source, Life In Italy

Flora Whittemore - “The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”

There are many doors you choose to walk through each day. Varying shapes and styles, of colors and age. Some are grand elegant doors and others are broken.

You get to pick most of these doors through which you travel each day. Sometimes, the choices are limited and at other times, only one is there to go through.

So you choose, go through or turn back. Like the building by the crossroads I have spoken before, it may start with only one door, but going through it will open your eyes to so many more choices.

(Read Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - Life At A Crossroads)

It takes a bold first step to open and walk through that one door. Then it becomes a series of opening and closing doors. Trying never to look back but to move forward with each bold decision that you make. Reach out and turn the door knob to change in your life.

A Dog's Day

Today was a great day and is one of those days that you just feel good about your life. Our family has been 'dog-less' for a couple of years and it was simply time to lighten our home up again.

This particular girl was adopted through the local humane society near where we live. These animals are foster cared for until a suitable family can be found. It isn't a simple "come in and pay your money" exercise either. A reasonable amount of interviewing is performed. These people that perform this service are folks that deeply care for the well-being of these abandoned pets.

As pets go, they can be very good companions and there is evidence to suggest better health when a loving pet is around the home. If you have the right temperment and get a general good feeling when your pet is near, then stress can be relieved. This alone will help with your heart and other stress-related issues.

So is a pet right for everyone? Probably not, but for us it was time. For many others it may not be the right time. If you are not able to adopt a pet, then consider supporting your local chapter. Its a good way to help out a great cause...its a good way to feel good about yourself.