Who made an impression on you?

 When I was very young, there was no one bigger and made more of an impression on me than Superman and the Lone Ranger, both fictional characters of course, but huge to me. They made the bad guys pay and helped make the world safer. So I believed then. I don't believe in Fictional characters like I did then, but I do have so-called heroes. Maybe not someone with a cape or super powers, but still a hero to me. people that taught me a lesson in life and possibly caused  me to maybe be a little like that person to others.

Some of you would probably says it was your Father or your Mother, or maybe a big brother or sister. Yes one of mine was my Mother, a single woman who did what she could to make our lives bearable. I believe I had many heroes in my life. People who took the time to help me make the right decisions in life and career. They explain things to this naïve boy or young man. A lot I also learned through falling on my face and realizing that was not the right path to travel. I had a few teachers in high school who REALLY cared and guided me, inspired me to choose the  the better path for my goals.

Unfortunately, we don't recognize or tell those heroes in our lives they made a difference in your live until that person is gone. But somehow I think they know you appreciated their help.

As I have said before, I always equate the total sum of our personality, soul or being to a empty jug. Each person you have contact will deposit something in your jug until it is filled, and you are who and what you are today. It may be a few grains or a lot, but still forms you.

OK, now I have said enough about me, but how about YOU? I encourage you to tell me who made the biggest impression on your personality, career choices or any other path you took. I promise I will not publish it or make it public in ANY WAY. PLEASE comment here where I am the only person can read it, and it could be anonymous. A teacher, parent, siblings, co-worker, friend, acquaintance or your religion. 

Again, no one other than me will see it. Take care and stay safe.

Have you ever wished ...?

 Does anyone really reached the pinnacle of their dreams or goals in life? I believe some have gotten there. Some of us reach close to the dream, and most of us never get to the point where they think, FINALLY, I got what I wanted. I think most of us are just justify to themselves,  I'll get to a happy medium and (maybe) think it was an unreasonable golden ring you were reaching for. Of course there are those of us that just muddle through life and land wherever they may. How may times have you heard of someone who worked a job for 45 years and hated every minute. Or said it was just a job and always looked forward to the weekends to enjoy themselves? A happy worker is productive worker.

I can only use a couple examples, I know, from people closest to me. Our daughter realized she wanted to be a doctor from age 8. Today she is an OB/GYN doctor who owns her own practice. Nancy wanted to be a math teacher, but life headed her in a different direction, but she did work as a high school book store manager which she had to manage all the money for the school which she had to deal with numbers and taught other how to manage the funds also. Me? Well, I also wanted to be an artist, and train in Europe in the Renaissance fashion. My plans did start well in high school, but then Viet Nam came along and my dreams were crushed. I tried after my military time but with a family and child it became inaccessible financially.

Passions and dreams can move from one venue to another as life puts its feet in your way. As humans we learn to adapt to circumstances fairly easily.  Or we just give up and float down life's stream and land wherever you land. I was never meant to work a lifetime in some of the early jobs I had, so I kept on looking until I found something that fit me. Finally in 1977 I found it. Like anything in life, there were ups and downs, disappointments, people that wanted to disrupt my movement and parts of the job I hated, so I sidestepped them quickly.

Most of you know what I did, I was a firefighter. Most of the time a VERY rewarding job. Sometime dangerous, so times crazy, sometimes very sad, but mostly proud. The other part of my firefighting career was the department allowed my to spread my wings and do things (in the public and department's benefit), and my throw a little of what was left of my art talent in there too.

But, I don't mean to talk about me or my family's accomplishments, I want to let you know that you should never give up on your dreams, goals or aspirations in life, no matter how old or young you may be. Having those types of desires are what drives us, and failing causes you to try harder. I heard you have to fail 1000 times to finally reach the golden ring. You can not win without falling on you face. Try a different route or redesign your path to success. It is a very rough road, and yes, you will get bruised and cut many times, but strong people have lots of scares.

I have always been a person who could see around corners, watch out for that freight train coming so I don't get blindsided. Sometimes I got hit, and it hurt BAD!  And you will too, but don't give up. Like that box of chocolates Forrest Grump talked about, "You never know what you will get until you bite into it."

I still love to hear the stories about our daughter catching 8 babies in one shift. Or the sparkle in the eyes of our grandkids when Nancy shows them how to do a mathematical equation for their homework. They actually start loving math.

Life throws many curve balls during our lives, and we mostly learn to deal with it. Continue to 'BOB AND WEAVE", but never lose sight of the golden ring you are after. Take care and stay safe. OH!  And stay warm.