The Great Kind of Makeover

 Sometimes in life we need to make adjustments. We need to take inventory of ourselves and make some changes. One of the best things you could ever do for yourself is perform a gut check. I'm not talking about a day or two or a five minute gut check. I am talking about going deep with yourself and involving others who will speak truth to you. Most of us don't do it enough because we are afraid of what we might find. Trust me I have been there. I demand better of myself. For the last few years I have been able to look deep. It has been a wild ride. My creative fire needed to be stoked. That's just what came on the other side of the figurative operating table.

 We sometimes create new things in conjunction with our passions. This blog represents a deep passion for me. It was created because I love to write, speak publicly and motivate others. I found I could do all three through the blog. I wanted to have an outlet to write about what I believe. It has served me well thus far and I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts. I hope you might take some time to communicate your thoughts on the blog. I value your feedback and hope you have found it to be an encouragement to you as you live your dash.

 For a little while I have felt my blog needs some re-tooling. It is not out of boredom but rather trying to re-design the blog to get across a more sincere, concise and inspiring message. My overall message is a simple one. Our lives are short and we are only on this earth for a short time. Each of us will eventually pass away and we will leave behind a legacy. Our tombstone will have the year we were born followed by a dash followed by the year we passed away. The dash represents our lives. What did we do with that dash? That's really my message. Each of us has a purpose to live for in this life. Each one of us has been given certain gifts and talents. My hope is that we all use them to the fullest so we can impact people and bring change to a world that REALLY needs it.

  For the next little while I am going to spend some time re-working the blog. This will be a short period as I search and re-work the details and design. Recently I met with a young man who loves to write. I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his words. He has a message he wants to communicate and it's one that is positive and impactful. After I left my meeting with him I felt this desire to re-work the blog. I challenged him to take what he was doing to another level. I guess I am walking the walk and not just giving others advice on what they should do. I guess that's living with the dash in mind. People want realness. It is sorely lacking in our world. There is a lot that needs changing in our world--much more than some nobody's blog.

 It is my hope to return with a new and improved blog. One that may look at a series of things or topics and focus on them for a while. I want to be more consistent and tight with my message. I don't want to go through life and think everything is going great. In order to grow personally you need to look at all areas of your life and make adjustments. We may never achieve a fullness in any area but quitting or not trying to be better is the easy way out. We can't be about taking the easy road. It doesn't do what we need. It only breeds mediocrity and doesn't allow you to be the person you were destined. The blog has been and will continue to be a great outlet for me. If nothing else it lets me use my writing passion to hopefully deliver a message of inspiration to others. So, I am signing off for now but will be back soon. Remember, it's about the dash!

A Time to Say Goodbye

  One of the things I have done many times throughout my life is say goodbye. I left home for a college in Virginia and said goodbye to family and friends. I moved from Virginia to Maine to be with my then, soon to be wife, and said goodbye to friends who are like family. Our family moved from Maine to North Carolina recently and we said goodbye to family, friends and people that poured into our lives unconditionally. Needless to say saying goodbye has become a regular reality in my life. I don't like goodbyes even though I have become a pro at offering them up. I prefer, "see you on the trail." Recently I had to say goodbye or see you on the trail to a very special lady. This was a different kind of goodbye and I knew this day would come. My grandma Rose passed away February 21 and this was my first experience with death regarding someone close. She was 96 and it was her time. Death is one of those permanent goodbyes. Well, at least it is permanent for this life on earth. Death is tragic and sad. Even when you know the end is nearing you still feel death's sting. I said my goodbyes but I hang onto the memories. Not even death can take those from me.

 This was not an easy goodbye for lots of reasons. Grandma Rose and I were close. I always looked forward to seeing her on my many trips back to New York. She made a killer sausage bread, pizza and any other Italian cuisine. I love to eat and she loved to cook. Between my mother and grandmother I knew I would never go hungry. She poured herself into her grandchildren. All of us at some point were impacted by the passion she had for life. We affectionately called her Rosie. There was always a respect for her even when we called her that. Grandma Rose was a fighter. She had a will to live and overcame death's call many times. I thought she would live to be one hundred.  Even as she was dying she taught us all something. It was the spirit of never giving up. She lived a full life and gave everything to the ones she loved. I know she is in a better place free from pain and suffering. Thank God for that. I still miss her though. She was THEE grandmother of all grandmothers!

 I wrote earlier that death is tragic and I believe it is. Whether a person's death is expected or sudden it still is tragic. We miss those we love when they are gone. Their death brings to mind our own mortality and perhaps that of others we love. It gives us time to pause. I know I have done a lot of thinking over the last week or so. I don't think we ever get over death but rather we get better at living with the loss of loved ones. Death sometimes call us to action. Perhaps we make changes or turn over a new leaf. Maybe we slow down or speed up. In any case death affects those that are left behind. Sometimes there is time to prepare for it and other times there is not. The one thing that remains true is that all of us living today will one day pass away. None of us are exempt from death. It is a reality we all must face. I am not one to focus on death even when it appears to be happening all around me. Lately it has. My grandmother lived with a purpose and I intend on doing the same. Her legacy will live on.

 We have all had to say goodbye to the people we love. This is a practice all of us will continue to encounter as we live our lives. The difference between death and a geographical move is that in death people are no longer living somewhere on earth. At least with geographical moves we are still afforded the time to reach out to the ones we love. If you have someone in your life you have not talked to in a long time (for whatever reason) I encourage you to reach out to them. Soon enough they will not be here anymore. No one wants to live with regrets. They will jab at you every day and possibly turn your world upside down. Whether it is a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker don't let time pass without reaching out your hand. Death will take that chance away from you. Don't let it win. Death's sting is painful enough. When we live with the dash in mind we hold ourselves to a higher standard. All relationships are hard no matter the level. We have to work diligently at them. Rise above all of that. Remember, it's about the dash!