Quote of the Day: Sigmund Freud

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."

-Sigmund Freud

Today's quote is dedicated to one of my heroes. Someone I've looked up to my whole life.
The man who created me. He who taught me values, and morals. Right from wrong.

My dad has always been there for me. Not just for me, but for everyone in our lives. He never wavers from helping us with our problems, or issues.

He has lived a life filled with dignity and honor.

I am who I am because of his teachings, and his life style.

He is an amazing husband.

A looked-up-to brother.

Successful in his career.

Upstanding citizen.

Passionate about the people he loves.

He is one of the most genuinely, good hearted, men roaming this Earth.

I want to take this opportunity to Thank You Dad, for always being you. For believing in me. For allowing me to always follow my dreams. For giving me advice, for listening to my problems. For being a father, and a friend all in one. For loving me unconditionally, and never judging my decisions, whether or not they are right or wrong.

I only hope, I can one day become half the man that you are. To take care of my family and friends as well as you have. To find a woman to love, as much as you love mom. To be an honest, hard working, Man!

You are who I want to become.

I love you.

Bullying: The Great-American Past Time

A friend of mine posted this video to facebook, and it really affected me.

Bullying has been a major part of our society since the very beginning.

Being different, always threatens the insecure masses to act out, in an effort to make themselves feel better. But when is it enough?

There are so many young people in this world suffering the effects of bullying. They are being hurt emotionally, and physically. Worse still, they are being pushed to hurting themselves.

This topic is close to my heart, not because I was bullied as a kid. Thankfully, I was blessed. I grew up always being bigger than the other kids, but unlike those victimized by bullying, I was never subjected to that treatment. Unlike some others who were spared that treatment, I realize just how lucky I was.

Too many kids and adults alike are not spared, they are victimized everyday, and worse yet, all the anti-bullying bullshit movements, seem to convenient ignore everyday people who are bullied.

It's good for your resume to be apart of such a movement, but that is all it's good for.

I know you've seen the ads on television. Celebrities speaking about anti-bullying, they think that putting a commercial on television is enough. But it isn't!

We raise our children to fear what is different. We pray that they are "normal." Interestingly enough "normal" can not be defined, because NO ONE IS NORMAL!

Instead of talking about anti-bullying. Let's put an honest effort into stoping it. Let's take action, instead of just nodding our heads whenever we see the commercial with our favorite celebrities.

This movement is bigger than celebrities, it is bigger than filling our resumes to portray that we actually care.

The first step to stoping this tragic epidemic, is to raise our children to have open minds, and to be accepting of anyone who is different.

Don't force societal norms, down anyone's throat.

Look into this kid's eyes, see the tears stream down his face. (Don't worry if it's real or fake, that is irrelevant)

Let's do our part to end this. Not just talk about it, not just write about it. I will not only write about it, but I will do my best to put it into action.

I will befriend those who are different than me. I will defend the innocent people who are victimized. I will speak out, and I will teach my children (when I have some) to love everyone equally, and to accept people for who they are.

Christopher Columbus, came to this country, and bullied the Native Americans. They brought this horrible act to a peaceful country. Let's reverse the act, that this country has allowed to become a societal norm.

Just one time, let's do something to better humanity.

The next time you see someone who is different than you are, reach out your hand, and say Hi.

As cliché as it is, one handshake, one spontaneous Hi, Can save someone's life.

Think about it, if all you needed was a handshake and a Hi, to save your life, wouldn't you want someone, anyone, to reach out?

Quote of the day: Brought to you by abraham Lincoln

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

Today's quote goes hand in hand with yesterdays post. I have learned that if we do not seize the day, and take advantage of every opportunity we are given to take a breath, then we are doing a grave injustice to ourselves. We must live each day as if it were our last, I know this reeks of cliché, but the meaning holds true.

Far too many of us complain every morning that it's too early to wake up, when we should instead be ecstatic that we were afforded yet another day to truly live. Far too many of us take life for granted, we're going to tell our families that we love them tomorrow, sweep the girl of our dreams of her feet tomorrow, take our vacation time tomorrow, save all of our money for tomorrow, but more times than not, that "dream" tomorrow never comes. That is why we must learn to live in the moment. Don't pass up opportunities to do the things you love. Don't hesitate to take a little vacation time with your family or friends. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can easily do today.

This quote says it all. How many times have you heard an older person tell you, "Man, if I were your age..." Well with all due respect, you were my age, and you had every opportunity to do with your life what you pleased. As a society we should aim to erase the elderly from feeling this way. I for one, intend on doing everything I can to live a full, happy life. So that if I get the pleasure of reaching that golden age, and I'm talking to my grandkids, instead of "Man, if I were your age.." I will instead say, "WHEN I was your age..."

I heard this other quote from, of all things, NFL Total Access, "Youth is wasted on the young." Sadly, I'd have to agree with that. Young people are the worst when it comes to taking life for granted. There some exceptions, but the majority feel as if they'll live forever. The reality is we should enjoy ourselves while we still could. While were young enough to enjoy it. What good is a million dollars going to do you, when you're 80 years old?

So my challenge to both young and old, who happen to read this blog is simply, Live Your Life!

Worry less about what's going to happen tomorrow, and more on what you could control today.

Rainy days come and go, but life is only a one way deal. You only get one chance to live. Don't waste it on the fear of what MAY happen in the future.

Check in tomorrow for another Quote of the day.