Vivere Amor Accipio

You live you learn
You love you learn
You cry you learn
You lose you learn
You bleed you learn
You scream you learn

You Learn - Alanis Morissette

There is a gentleman I met while in Phoenix not long ago. An older guy in his middle eighties but the abilities of a much younger man. When I first came upon him, he was moving items for donation in the 110 degree heat of Arizona. A small amount of sweat on his forehead, but moving better then most half his age.

He introduced himself as Garth and in anticipation of my next question, "yes, Garth Brokks was named after me....way after me." So right away I knew I would like this man, his humor and goodness. As we worked, we talked and I learned.

Garth lived for many years, working and struggling just like the rest of us. A job here, a new job there with job loss and started a new business that changed everything for him. But in all of that living, he had a wonderful wife that worked side-by-side with him. So much so that Mrs. Garth started a stained glass shop in the front of Mr. Garth's welding shop. She did so only because the welding business wasn't keeping her busy enough in the front office.

Their daughter now runs that shop and the welding business is no longer. It is sad to report that Mrs. Garth passed away some time ago. But there is still a sparkle in Garth's eyes when he speaks of Mrs. Garth. The love in his voice when he talks of her, and their lives together speaks volumes of a wonderful life.

In the various conversations I had with Garth, it was what was learned in life, the adjustment to it and the picking up of oneself that resonated so much. Garth kept living, loving and learning with each step along the way. When something knocked him down, he got up, dusted off the pain, and began moving again.

All along the way he not only helped himself to keep moving, but he helped others along his way. He continues to do so today, he is a great example is that the more you give to others, your life will be rewarded ten times that amount. He taught me life lessons during our conversations. He reminded me that life is a grand thing.

Vivere (live), amor (love), and accipio (learn) through out your grand life.

DUI

As your weekend quickly approaches, I felt the following video from Australia would be appropriate. Similar to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration here in the United States, the Australian Traffic Accident Commission is tasked with trying to promote road safety.

There have been many different roads campaigns both here in the U.S. and in Australia, along with hundreds of others around the globe. It bears repeating that traffic safety, buckling up, no texting while driving, and turning over your keys after drinking save lives.

I have to reminded and encouraged in all aspects of traffic safety just like the next person. It was recently that a friend from high school whom has been in law enforcement for a number of years sent this video.

It can be disturbing to watch at moments; it can be quite sad at times. But the reality of the choices we make when we get behind the wheel of a car have consequences. Maybe not this time, but maybe it will happen to you the next time. Again, maybe it will never happen to you.

Statistics from the M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) reveal that on average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes; a decline of 9.8 percent from the 13,041 drunk driving related fatalities of 2007.

So hold on and watch the video. See if it changes your thoughts if only a little bit about driving impaired.

Bring It On

"Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." ~Miyamoto Musashi

The story of warriors can be taken in multiple context depending upon what fits the need. But in general, there are two ways to describe a warrior. One would be in reference to "someone engaged or experienced in warfare." The second refers to "a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness."

In the context of what I write, it follows the second reference above to how we each engage in our own life. Each day we are confronted by circumstances which will either hinder or enhance our progress towards a better life. Of course it takes vigor and courage to battle the hinderance. It also take vigor and courage to accept or embrace the circumstances that will help us.

When we wake up in the morning we have a choice to make in how we will approach the day. We can cower to the possibility of something good or bad happening to us. Or we can stand tall as a warrior and proclaim, "bring it on." It is this second choice that I make. Whatever comes my way, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

It will be with confidence in yourself to overcome or to take on whatever comes your way. Choose to stand strong and take it all on. Stand strong and loudly proclaim, "bring it on world."

Shine Your Light

"That's all a man can hope for during his lifetime - to set an example - and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history." ~William McKinley

Each of us in some form or manner want to leave some relic of our existence when we leave this earth. There are some that may say it does not matter; that they have no need for people to remember whom they were or what they did. But each of us do leave a mark on time, large or small, and either good or bad upon the memories of people.

Those memories of what you did in life may seem meaningless. We get trapped into thinking that our "15 minutes of fame" that was famously coined by Andy Warhol, is all that we will ever get. The fame we think is the only one people get is either something grand or something notorious. That is not the case in most of our lives. It is said that a lighthouse does not have to fire a cannon to make its presence known. The lighthouse only has to shine.

The same can be said for you when it comes to leaving your mark upon others. When you live your life in the best possible way, you lead and leave others with your example. And like the lighthouse, you shine brightly for those still traveling in the darkness trying to find their own way.

Your memory will serve as the light for others to live on in. That is how your life will live on with others. Live your life by example to others, the good and the bad but always with the intent of living the best way you can. In this way, others will be guided to their own best life.