Haikus

Question for the day:
Where will the train take me now?
I cannot return

What gives you the right
To stir the sauce in the pan?
It's me, but no more

Be careful with this!
Love disguised as religion
It is a false god

Why do we suffer?
Is it for a higher cause
Or just a sick joke?

Quick! Go find the keys
And try each one till you're in
Keep the cell handy 

My life was changed on Friday night.

I found out a few weeks ago that my sister is pregnant with her first child...and that means I'm gonna be an uncle for the first time! I am very excited about this, and I can't wait to be an uncle and have a nephew! All of the fun and none (or almost none) of the responsibility! ;)

How was my life changed on Friday night, you ask? I saw a DVD of my sister's latest fetal sonogram (her son is due in May). So much could be seen! I saw facial and limb features, vertebrae, brain hemispheres, and even the four heart chambers. It was the best thing I have ever seen! So cool!

As an aside...I'm now firmly convinced that abortion is not a political issue. I know that it's a life issue. I wish everyone could experience a feeling like I did when I saw that sonogram on Friday night. If one is morally and intellectually honest with themselves, I don't see how there's any way that someone could justify abortion except in the most extreme circumstances (read: the mother's life is in danger). The little boy growing inside my sister's belly is not a "potential" life...it is a life! Regardless of one's political or religious persuasion, seeing something like that sonogram makes this an indisputable fact. I wish that the media, the public, and the politicians would stop being so damn polarized over this issue (as evidenced by their actions and words). I wish that they would all see this for what it is...the miracle of life!

Again, abortion is not a political issue, nor is it a "choice" or "freedom" issue. Quite simply, it's a life issue...and in the end, that is the only thing that needs to be acknowledged in this "debate." I am neither Democrat nor Republican, and while my politics tend to lean conservative in many areas, I'm not "hard core" on most things. This is an exception, though. After what I saw on Friday night, I don't see how it couldn't be.

I believe I am forever changed by what I saw on Friday night. This doesn't mean I'm going to become a right wing nut job who spews out hatred and/or violence toward those who disagree with me about abortion. As far as I'm concerned, that's just as wrong as the left wing nut jobs who spew out hatred and/or violence toward those who disagree with, for example, the expansion of government in our society. What this does mean for me is that I am more grateful for my life, my friends, my family, and my God. All of them have played a part in making me who I am today and in showing me that even when life sucks, it's still a beautiful thing.

Let me end this post with a video I saw on YouTube. It's set to one of my favorite songs by George Strait called "I Saw God Today." The song is told from the point of view of a man whose wife has just given birth to their child (in the song it's a daughter). While this is a main theme of the song, it's also about noticing the little things in life and appreciating life for the wonderful things that it can bring us. Enjoy the song and the video!

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

 

You might recognize the quote I've titled this post with as being associated with former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano. "Jimmy V" led the NC State Wolfpack to the 1983 NCAA Championship over the heavily favored Houston Cougars (the "Phi Slama Jama" team that had future NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon on its team). Even though I was rooting for Houston in that game, I'll never forget watching Valvano run around the court in disbelief and joy -- and looking for someone to hug -- after that last game ended with a buzzer beater to seal the win for NC State. It was really great to watch!

The quote I referenced is the motto for The V Foundation for Cancer Research which was set up by "Jimmy V" not long before his death in 1993 at age 47. They've raised millions of dollars for cancer research and programs related to such research. One of the great things about this charity is that 100 percent of the net proceeds and direct donations to the foundation go towards cancer research and related programs. Quite an accomplishment!

I saw the video above on ESPN Wednesday night for the first time in many years. Valvano's speech in this video, from the 1993 ESPY Awards, remains one of the most inspiring speeches I've ever heard. Delivered less than two months before "Jimmy V" died, this speech helped start a wonderful foundation, and for me it's served as inspiration to remember to live life to the fullest and to keep going during life's difficult times. The speech is a little over 10 minutes long, and I promise you that every minute is worth watching.

Love life, keep fighting, and don't give up! Don't ever give up!

"Desiderata" -- one of my favorite poems.

"Desiderata"

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata", Copyright 1952.