I Walk

I wrote this poem for a Relay For Life event 4 years ago (updated this week).  

Today, I dedicate this to Steve Peele and his beautiful family.  

I WALK

I walk here and now to remember how precious life is.

I walk because courage is much powerful then complacency.

I walk because today, today I can and who knows what tomorrow brings.

I walk because cancer does not sleep.

I walk because somewhere there is a mother, father, sister, brother, loved one, grandparent, child, who is tangled up in IV’s and in so much pain, they have not been able to walk in weeks.

I walk because in numbers there is change.

I walk because I can not sit on the couch anymore and watch the news reports on cures that have not yet been found.

I walk because God gave me the strength to cry out no more for the next 12 hours.

I walk to celebrate those in purple with Survivor stamped across their backs to let them know that they are not alone.

I walk to honor those who have lost the battle but have not lost their voices through everyone here tonight.

I walk for all of the Caregivers out there who help wipe away tears, hold a hand tightly and give every ounce they have to make someone more comfortable.

I walk for Gloria, Lisa, Carmen, Juan, Dorothy, Bernie, Anita, Patti, Mary, Jan, Ed, Sean P Jr., Steve P., those family, friends and co-workers who have battled & because in the past two months I had to write more names down on my list including a child.

I walk because just like you, I demand to see a cure in my lifetime.

Reject Fear

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles,

but most of them never happened.

~Mark Twain

Reject Fear

For far too long you have stopped moving forward due to fear of the unknown but it's this fear that has always held you back from an amazing future.  Somewhere deep down inside, do you believe that you are unworthy of living a wonderful life?  Do you believe that because of obstacles from your past will appear again in your future?  What it is that has you on pause?  What is your greatest fear?  Once you take the time to stop and listen for the answer, that's when you can finally break free and truly live.

Just Let Go

Breathe.  Let go.  

And remind yourself that this very moment 

is the only one you know you have for sure.  

~Oprah Winfrey

Just Let Go
This is your time to shine.  This is your time to put your desires to the forefront and send your fears and apprehensions packing!  There is a positive moment carrying you through and now is the time to just let go and reach as high as you can for everything that you have ever dreamed of.  You deserve the blessings that are surrounding you right now.  Grab a hold of them and let yourself take flight.

Make it Happen

If you just set people in motion they'll heal themselves.  

~Gabrielle Roth

Make it Happen

Whatever you want from life, you have to make it happen!  You can sit and wait for life to happen to you but it's highly unlikely that it will just show up at your door with a great job, a great relationship and great health.  We know it doesn't work that way yet there are times when we act like it does.  It's our responsibility to move ourselves into action.  When we are in motion, the flow of life is all around us.  When we stay stagnant, so does the flow around us.  You must put forth the energy and drive in order for life to answer back your prayers.  The two go hand in hand.  So don't dillydally anymore.  Make it Happen!

Victim vs. Student

Be open.  And then the truth follows. 

~Gangaji

Victim vs. Student
We have many choices in life. When an obstacle, challenge or thought is presented before us, we must choose a path to take. Sometimes we make the choice to go down a bad path even though we know there will be consequences. Sometimes we choose nothing at all (or so we think) but being stagnant is also making a choice. Other times we make choices based on what we feel inside is the best direction to go in. We must make choices all of the time but it's in making them that we also see ourselves as either a victim or a student of life. When we view ourselves as the victim we never learn and grow. We don't take the time to understand the lesson that was right in front of us to learn. We stomp all over it and see ourselves as not in control of the situation. This is false. We might not be in control of everything around us but we are in control over our emotions, how we deal with things and how we choose to get through an obstacle. If we can view ourselves as students of life rather than victims, we will be open enough to learn the lesson from each challenge we face. The more we are open to life, the more we will head in a comfortable and peaceful direction.  It's all about perspective and it's about time we all look in the right direction when we point a finger....and that would be right back at us!