This Guy Just Changed The Way We See Calvin And Hobbes. Seriously.
Thank You Sgt. Brian Meyer (Post by Frank Somerville KTVU)
Who does something like this?
Look closely at the picture on the left.
That’s Marine Gunnery Sgt. Brian Meyer.
A bomb in Afghanistan had just blown off his leg, his hand, and three fingers on his other hand.
And yet there he is smiling.
And he was doing it on purpose.
GySgt. Meyer ordered another Marine to take this picture.
He forced a smile despite the pain, because he was worried about the impact his injuries would have on his squad. He hoped the picture would make it easier for them to deal with what happened.
Can you imagine?
He was just seriously injured and yet he was thinking about his fellow Marines and how THEY were feeling.
I find that kind of spirit beyond remarkable.
And it’s that spirit that is helping GySgt. Meyer through his recovery process. And helping him become independent despite his injuries.
The picture on the right is him now.
He says: “I focus on what I have left, not what I lost.”
What a great attitude.
GySgt. Meyer also works for the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, counseling fellow combat veterans.
And he uses the picture of him injured to show them what’s possible.
He says:
“It’s the exact opposite of what somebody expects you to do.
So when I show it to people and they are inspired by it, instead of being shocked, I know they get it.”
I hate war.
I hate seeing how many young men and woman have lost their lives.
And I hate seeing how many young men and women have suffered life changing injuries.
But at the same time, I find stories about veterans like GySgt. Meyer incredibly powerful.
They are a reminder that there is always hope, no matter how bad the situation is.
They are a reminder that all of us are capable of so much more than we think we are.
And they are a reminder to NEVER give up.
Thank you GySgt. Meyer.
To you and all other veterans: Stay strong!
Story and pictures courtesy AP
Soap that Saves and Socks that Smile (post by Kirk Weisler)
Innovation is alive and well in our world and you don’t have to be building rockets, programming smart phone apps, or designing high tech to make entrepreneurial inroads or be kinder the environment. Let me give you two quick fun examples. I am staying at the Concordia Hotel in Washington DC and the soap in my hotel room has a hole in it. A purposeful hole. The package proudly proclaims it’s high percentage of recycled components… truly they care about cleaning up the environment. 🙂
I wonder if they were inspired by Donuts?
Ok, now for Socks that can make you smile.
I have two teen aged boys and it seems that a trend among teens these days is “cool socks”. For example you might wear a grey suit with an electric blue tie…and socks that match the tie. Or you might just wear crazy socks period.
While I have never had truly crazy cool socks… I have had some fun socks. I once had 7 pairs of socks that had the days of week on them. Monday socks, Tuesday socks, Wed socks and so on. It was while talking about socks and teenagers with friend Jim Gunnel from Southwest Power Pool that I guess he decided what I really needed to be a cooler Dad to my teens was Happy Socks. So he sent me some.
WOW! They really make Happy Socks !
But do they work and can they make you happy? Not sure… so decided to test the product…and include the team. To truly “test” the socks ability to bring happiness to the wearer I thought that I should try both different ages and genders….and even some painted toe nails.
The results, well I think the following picture says it all. As you can clearly see of the 4 test subjects that the 3 wearing the Happy Socks are clearly smiling while the 4th wearing only a blue striped jumper and a heavy diaper is not smiling. http://www.happysocks.com/us/
I am not saying that you or anyone needs Happy Socks to be happy. In fact I stand by o make it again and again especially when life gets especially challenging or when people are being especially difficult. We must never allow ourselves to become victims to the whims, will, and toxicity of others and say things like “Well they made me angry.” – or Sad, or Mad, or anything of that ilk. People may intentionally try to make you angry or just un-intentionally irritate you, but we are response-able for our choice.
We can choose happiness. And if socks can help… then so be it. 🙂
Choose a Happy Day – I am … and with these socks on, how can I can fail?
Thanks Jim for the socks and the smile….and thanks 99Sixty for the Soap that helps to save.
Kirk Out
Service and My Mom’s Motorcycle (post by Kirk Weisler)
Almost immediately after watching a short video titled “My Mom’s Motorcycle” and considering whether I should share it here… I read this post by the great IT folks at St. Vrain Valley Schools… which closed the deal! Thank you St. Vrains and Johann Stossell
Quote: “The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. It is obvious that man is himself a traveler; that the purpose of this world is not ‘to have and to hold’ but ‘to give and serve.’ There can be no other meaning.” ~Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell
Question: With one word, describe how you feel after ‘giving and serving’
My answer… WONDERFUL
Kirk Out
A Commercial EVERY One Should See
⇓Click on the link Below⇓
http://www.epicdash.com/watch-this-if-youve-ever-been-told-you-do-things-like-a-girl/
Just Focus Left (post by Kirk Weisler)
If nothing ever goes right, go left. Because if nothing is right, what’s left is where everything is. Enjoy it. ~ Thomas Cantrell 2014
Love it Tom… I will focus left!
Kirk Out
Because Your Words Can Reign Over You (post by Kirk Weisler)
To know how to say what others only know how to think is what makes men poets or sages; and to dare to say what others only dare to think is what makes men martyrs or reformers — or both. — Elizabeth Charles (1828-96) British Writer
If you are not sure what to say – or cannot think of a kind or thoughtful way to express yourself….then remaining silent is the course of wisdom. (Especially when in a difficult or frustrating situation).
There are certainly times when I wish I had said something. But there are “WAY MORE” times when I wish I had remained silent and said nothing. I would rather reign over and rule my words than be ruled by them or spend valuable time and personal currency trying to reign them back in.
Kirk Out
