Life of Thomas has been tagged!

The rules are that when you are tagged you have to share 7 things about yourself, and then tag 7 other people.

The 7 things that I would like to share are as follows:

1. I was born in 1983.

2. I am a cancer survivor for over 23 years. A miraculous story, Praise the Lord!

3. I am 4'11"! (vertically challenged) *laughs* [from kidney failure]

4. Favorite Bible Promise is Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. [Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV]

5. Favorite two Bible verses is Exodus 15:2 and Matthew 13:43-44.

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation... [Exodus 15:2 NIV]

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who Has Ears Had Better Listen! [Matthew 13:43 NIV]


6. I practice Kung Fu. Tai Chi and Chi Gung for health reasons, discipline, and exercise.

7. I got a good sense of humor, I think this is what has helped me get through so much in my life. Just laughing it off! Remember, laughter is one of the best medicines.

These are the people that I am going to tag, they are as follows:

For The Lord of Lords

The New Covenant

Christian Bloggers Unite

Word and Verse

Thoughts From Me

My Road as I Travel it

God, History and You

2008 World Series Champs

The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Series Champs! They have won the series versus the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1. The Phillies took game one winning it 3-2. Than Game two the Rays took it 4-2 to tie the series at 1-1. Than in Game three the Phillies win a close one 5-4. Game four the Phillies explode past the Rays 10-2. Than in game five, the game was suspended after the top of the sixth inning because of rain and wet grounds! In the completion of the first suspended game in postseason history the Phillies won, which was another close game 4-3!


Pic from New York Times

The Philadelphia Phillies have won the World Series! The great thing is they didn't change a thing. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel stuck to his game plan and they won because of it. For example alot of people were worried about Jamie Moyer pitching in game three. He may be one of the oldest players to start a game in the World Series. I wasn't worried, this guy may be old but everyone knows that with age comes wisdom. Jamie Moyer is a smart player, he may not throw it hard but he puts the ball over the corners of the plate. I thought he played an awesome game and he got hosed on that close play at first base, where he was taken out of the game shortly after. Overall he played a great game! My point is they are all teammates and it took them all to win the World Series! There is no "I" in "TEAM" and it was all a team effort!



Congratulations Philadelphia the city of Brotherly Love!

I never got to experience anything like this before, thanks Phillies! The last major championship ever won here was in 1983 when the 76'ers won, this was the year I was born. The Philadelphia Soul did win their first championship earlier this year, but that's arena football, they didn't get much recognition. I never got to see Philadelphia win a championship. I will see you guys at the parade down Broad Street! Let's celebrate! Yippy Kai Yay! Yee Haa! Woohoo!

I know that most people don't want to hear or read this but I am going to write it anyway. I am talking about the millions of people that are predicted to see this parade in Philadelphia. Why can't this many people get this excited over something a little more important? Something like feeding the poor, fighting cancer, illiteracy, the list could go on and on. Just imagine what we could do with this kind of passion and love? Only if we could direct it towards helping others, instead of partying. If only we could help share the love that God has given us, by allowing his son to be sacrificed, so that we may be redeemed by his death! Now that is something to get excited about and to celebrate!

Thanks for stopping by! God bless, and be safe!

The Choice of Two Envelopes

Since I can remember, I always had a pretty positive mental attitude which I believe has helped me get through many of the health ailments I have lived through and are living with today. A healthy PMA can help you live a happy life no matter what you may be dealing with. This is taken from a book I am currently reading called, "Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement" by Napoleon Hill. I liked this one chapter so much that I wanted to share some of it with you all today!

"At birth you arrive figuratively clutching two sealed envelopes. One is labeled "Rewards" and the other "Penalties".The first envelope contains a list of all the benefits you will enjoy from taking possession of your own mind and using it to get what you want. The second carries a list of the consequences that will befall you if you neglect controlling your mind and directing it toward a worthwhile goal.

If you do not use a muscle, it will wither and become useless. If you do not use the powers of your mind, they will do the same thing. Your brain and your life will become subject to every passing influence, unable to resist them or to act positively-unless you fix your mind on the object of your desire and create and act upon a plan for attaining it.

You've probably heard something like the old saying, "Success attracts success while failure attracts more failure." Nothing could be more true. Striving for success makes you better able to attain it. Doing nothing and accepting failure only brings more failure your way.

If you put your mind to work with a positive mental attitude and believe that success is your right, your belief will guide you unerringly toward whatever your definition of success might be. If you adopt a negative mental attitude and fill your mind with thoughts of fear and frustration, your mind will only draw those same things to you. That is the power of mental attitude. Why not make yours positive?"

Rewards of Positive Mental Attitude

If you take possession of your mind and direct it toward desirable goals, you will enjoy:

1. Success consciousness, which attracts other means for success
2. Sound health, both physical and mental
3. Financial independence
4. A labor of love in which to expose yourself
5. Peace of mind
6. Applied faith, which makes fear impossible
7. Enduring friendships
8. Longevity and a well-balanced life
9. Immunity from self-limitation
10. The wisdom to understand yourself and others


Penalties of a Negative Mental Attitude

If you neglect taking possession of your mind and directing it toward a worthwhile goal, you are doomed to:

1. Poverty and misery your entire life
2. Mental and physical ailments of all kinds
3. Self-limitations which trap
4. Fear and all its destructive consequences
5. Hatred of the means by which you support yourself
6. Many enemies and few friends
7. Every brand of worry known to humanity
8. Being a victim of every negative influence you encounter
9. Subjection to the will of others
10. A wasted life which does nothing to better the human condition

[Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement; Chapter 7 pg. 86-88 :Napoleon Hill]

The choice is yours! What will it be? If you do not make the first one and gladly accept it without hesitation, the second will be bound to you. There is no middle point, no bargains or special deals. So the choice is yours! Which will it be?

Wellsphere/ Yes We Care!

"I was searching online for the best health bloggers when I discovered your blog at http://www.thomas-slater.net/. I want to tell you I think your writing is great. My name is Dr. Geoff Rutledge, and I've taught and practiced Internal and Emergency Medicine for over 25 years at Harvard and Stanford medical schools. I'm also the Chief Medical Information Officer at Wellsphere (www.wellsphere.com), where we are building a network of the web’s leading health bloggers -- and I think you would be a great addition."

"Wellsphere is a fast growing, next-generation online platform that is revolutionizing the way people find and share health and healthy living information and services. Our platform connects millions of users each month with the valuable insights and knowledge from health leaders and knowledgeable writers like you."

A couple of weeks ago I got this email from Dr. Geoff Rutledge, from Wellsphere. I was very surprised I didn't think I was that good of a writer, maybe I'm being a little hard on myself, but I just didn't think it deserved to be called "great" in any sense. Anyway I thought, if I could help educate people with my knowledge, motivate people with my story, and inspire them with the passion the Lord has for us all, than I was all for it!

Than on the 16th of October I got an email from Dr. Geoff, telling me, "We are excited to recognize you in our new YES, WE CARE! Campaign that honors everyday heroes, like you, who put themselves on the front lines in the quest for a healthier, happier world by spending their time and putting their hearts and souls into helping others in need. We’re particularly excited to have this chance to honor you, for dedicating your time and writing to help people improve their health and well-being. We've nominated YOU as one of our Everyday Heroes!." They wanted these "heroes" to make a short video clip, telling why they have decided to do what they do.

I don't have a web cam, so I wanted to go to my friend Larry's house and record it but, I ran into some difficulties. *Laughs* The night before I was going to record this short video, I had a freak accident, it seemed my Peritoneal catheter had a hole in it! My bed and pants were soaked in the middle of the night! It was pretty scary I wasn't sure what to think, at first being half asleep and having sugar water dripping down my leg! So I turned off my machine, clamped my catheter, taped a Povidone-Iodine, prep pad and a gauze pad around where the hole was. I did this to try and sterilize my catheter the best I could. Than I put a plastic bag around it all to make sure no more dialysis solution leaked out. Later that morning I would be heading to Philadelphia, to my Davita Dialysis Center. I would be spending most of my day there.

Thank God! My nurse, Seaul, she fixed the problem! She added a new attachment which makes my catheter longer but it is actually better. It took some getting use to, but it is much better. I don't have to clamp the line any more because of the new locking mechanism which will allow my catheter to last longer. Than an antibiotic solution was added to my dialysis solution to make sure no infection got into my peritoneum over night. Thanks Seaul you're the best!

The next day, I went to church and when I got back home I got a call from my friend Larry saying he was busy with company, and didn't know when I would be able to come over to make the video. He never called back so, I missed my chance to get my video in but I did receive this cool reward, the glory goes to God as always!

Here is the video from Wellsphere! It is very cool it's a 10 minute video with people from all over trying to help heal the world! Awesome video guys! My friend Lori Laws is in this video, she is shown around 4 minutes into the video! Enjoy!

P.S. I Love You

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Father's Love Letter Letter is from this awesome website!

I hoped you enjoyed this, I did! :)

Friends are a gift from God

Both these awards were given to me from my good friend Lori Laws. Thanks Lori, for your blog and for being such a nice friend! Here is a link to her blog Persevere. I humbly accept these awards, but God get's all the glory, glory to God in the highest!

"We need Friends for many reasons,
all throughout the seasons.
We need Friends to comfort us when we are sad,
and to have fun with us when we are glad.
We need Friends to give us good advice,
We need someone we can count on,
and treat us nice.
We need Friends to remember us ones we have passed sharing memories
that will always last."

As you pass this award, please don't forget to include the little poem in your post.

But A Breath

Another powerful song...Enjoy!

The Wedding - But A Breath



One shot is all you’ve got
To make your mark, to make your difference
One chance, but you don’t understand this

LA LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA LA LA
Life is but a breath
Don’t waste it

Cause your time is limited
All you have is the breath already exiting your lungs
If you won’t live, you might as well die
You can’t afford to lead that life

Hands down, no regrets
Life has its hands around my neck
Fight back, no regrets
Life has it’s hands around our necks

Red October

[Image USA today]

Since I Live in the Philadelphia area, I would like to mention that the Philadelphia Phillies are going to the World Series! Pretty impressive if you ask me! They were first place, this season and last. The roster they have are a talented group of guys! It wouldn't surprise me to see them go all the way. I will be rooting for the home team. Not because I think they are better than the other team but because I believe in what Philadelphia traditionally stood for, "The City of Brotherly Love". [Modern Greek: "brotherly love" from philos, "love", and adelphos "brother"]

This is where America was started! The birthplace of the greatest nation to exist because of what we traditionally believed in, things like freedom, equality, liberty, justice for all, and most important God! We were a beacon of light for the whole world to recognize! It seems like we are going astray, and I hope and pray that people start searching for God and start listening to their hearts!



[Philadelphia Phillies Logo]
Lets Go Philadelphia!

I always liked sports growing up, you get qualities like individual goals, team goals, team work, comradery, friendly competition, challenges, and focus. So all around I believe sports are a good thing for kids to have growing up and to continue doing until they are too old to play. It is good exercise, a good way to vent frustrations, let loose, be yourself, and the best part of all having fun!

God bless and peace be with you all!

Growing Up (The Early Years Part 3)

Growing up in a small town in South Jersey, in a town called Folsom It's not a very big town, It's right next to Collings Lakes, which was cool having the lakes so close to my house! I had alot of fun on those lakes and still do to this day. I use to go swimming there all the time, plus there was "the dam", which was a big attraction for our neighborhood. *laughs* It was fun to jump off of into the lake! I can't go swimming in the lake any more because I do Peritoneal dialysis or PD for short.

What is Peritoneal dialysis? "a soft tube called a catheter is used to fill your abdomen with a cleansing liquid called dialysis solution. The walls of your abdominal cavity are lined with a membrane called the peritoneum, which allows waste products and extra fluid to pass from your blood into the dialysis solution. The solution contains a sugar called dextrose that will pull wastes and extra fluid into the abdominal cavity. These wastes and fluid then leave your body when the dialysis solution is drained. The used solution, containing wastes and extra fluid, is then thrown away. The process of draining and filling is called an exchange and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The period the dialysis solution is in your abdomen is called the dwell time. A typical schedule calls for four exchanges a day, each with a dwell time of 4 to 6 hours. Different types of PD have different schedules of daily exchanges." [Peritoneal dialysis]

I don't want to get an infection in my peritoneum so I stay away from swimming in the lake. I can go swimming in private, chlorinated pools but I haven't taken the chance yet. I rather go in the ocean to swim in order to avoid an exit site infection. In fact, the ocean water has been said to be beneficial to the exit site. who knew? Fishing, Canoeing, and simply the beauty of the lake made it worthwhile growing up in this area!

Another cool thing about where I live is it's right by the Pine Barrens. Lots of woods and behind my house was swampy because of the lake that was close by, so you can imagine it was a lot of fun growing up in my area, at least it was for a young boy. A couple of my friends had Quads, they were a lot of fun to ride in the woods around my house! So the point of this post is, even when I was growing up with different health problems like cataracts, heart failure, kidney failure and not to mention vertically challenged *laughs*, I still lived my life!

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Like Job I have faced some hardships, but I don't know if I could of dealt with what he went through. He lost everything from his family, his wealth, and his health. Like Job I will persevere and praise God for the rest of my days! In the end Job was rewarded, I pray that I can be as strong as Job!

I know that people are dealing with hardships, and God knows there are a whole bunch that plague this world today. I know that it can become over whelming sometimes and it just feels like we can't take it any more! My advice to you is to stay strong, keep fighting, keep living, one day God will take all the pain away! How do I know? God has never broken a promise he had made!



Found picture from the Net using Google

Faithful Servant Award Sowing Seeds of Love

Wow, another award! Lori from Persevere awarded me with another award! This award was passed on to Lori by Tracy at Seed Thoughts. Both Lori and Tracy are both passionate Christian women who want to share God's love.

The award, Lori has given me is called the "Faithful Servant Award Sowing Seeds of Love". I just pray that I can stay strong in this broken body and help as many people I possibly can! I want to thank God, because without him I wouldn't be alive to share his love or my story. I also want to thank Lori again! Thanks Lori!

"Jill created the Faithful Servant Award because she was grateful for the many friends she’s met along her blogging journey. In her words: “Many of you have touched my heart and life in ways that have changed me eternally! I thank you for being a faithful servant and being obedient to the upward calling every time you share a piece of His heart living out in you! I pray that you will share this award with others who have touched your heart by sowing seeds of love into your life! They will know we are His by how we love one another! Let us sow seeds of love throughout the blogging world and touch the hearts of those who come to read what we all share! To HIM be all the glory forever and ever! AMEN!"

I would like to share this award with two friends of mine:

One is Chris Esty, he describes himself as, "simply a man who loves Jesus and wants to share Him with as many people as I can, because He is AWESOME!" He describes his blog as, "Bible Lessons and Devotional Thoughts for Christian Translation and growth in Jesus Christ." The Bible Post Thanks Chris for your blog and your friendship!

The other is Reverend Thetford, he describes himself as, "merely what God has created, a person who is here to help with his plan". He describes his blog as "A daily scripture reading, and how it applies to us today. Leaving behind the laws of man, and focusing on the laws of the Lord." The New Covenant Thanks Reverend for your blog and your friendship!

The Butterfly Award

Wow, I have only been blogging for a short time, since July to be exact. I have met some great people and have made some great friends! I have shared my love of God, and my miraculous story and I have touched people's hearts like I never imagined it would. Today I have received an award from my Christan Sister Lori Laws, Persevere "who's blog is all about perseverance...running the race of faith in the midst of my daily struggles with a Muscle Disease. It's all about the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

The award I received from her is called "The Butterfly Award". Butterflies symbolize a new life we receive when we submit and have faith in Jesus! First I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the award I have received, like I said before, without him I am nothing! Than I want to thank my family and friends who have helped talk me into writing this blog.Than I want to Thank you, Lori! For your friendship and the cool award!

The rules are quite simple;

You pick ten people and pass this award to them.

Then contact them and let them know that you have chosen them and their blog for the award.

Also link back to the person who gave you the award.

Here are 9 blogs I have chosen to give the award to.

Atheist Central

The Bible Post

For The Lord of Lords

The New Covenant

Christian Bloggers Unite

Word and Verse

Thoughts From Me

My Road as I Travel it

Alexander

The Power of Music

"Music has the power to cause emotions to well up within us. These feelings are gripping - often irresistible - and seem to emerge from nowhere. These feelings colour our moods, affect our perceptions and generate a behavioural pattern. The indisputable fact about music is its power to evoke emotions. Is there anyone, for whom, music is completely emotional - neutral? Music has the ability to inevitably tap the still, mysterious deep well of our emotions.

However, music can produce various emotional responses in different individuals and even different responses in the same person at different times. Music may produce expressions of various emotions - peaceful, relaxing, exciting, festive, boring, unsettling, unstimulating, invigorating ... and so on.

Music is an extremely versatile medium of communication. It is capable of exploring all the features that are used in verbal communication. Moreover, it does so in an explicit and structured way, which makes it an interesting and useful window into human communication, in general.

The repetition of a line as in a lullaby, the regular beating of a drum - they produce a feeling of physical ease and lull the child to sleep. The rhythmic sound of the train, of waves breaking on the shore, the song of a cricket at night - why, even the electric fan is able to produce a soothing physical quiet. But good music does not stop there. It touches our emotions. True music really far deeper and touches our very soul and leaves its imprint on us. It may not be possible to explain or describe this reaction in ordinary language. It can only be felt. It is one of those mystic experiences, which baffle analytical explanation.

Music is known to endow the listener with aesthetic or intellectual pleasure. It can be simple, complex, subtle, overt - and these features may reside in one of the different aspects of the music e.g. rhythm, melody. Some of the greatness of music however, lies in its holistic nature that all the elements form a unique wholeness which may not be understood by studying the parts separately. However complex, music is readily appreciated by the mind without the need for formal knowledge.

The lay listener may not be able to hear which instruments are playing, or which pitches are used. Yet, he or she may have no problem appreciating the music as a whole. An experienced listener, on the other hand, may be able to transcribe every note, but might still be at a loss to understand why the music is so pleasing to listen to even for the time!

As a performer, I believe that music can recreate emotions and get the listeners involved with my emotions. Any particular music has an inherent emotion. And, there is the emotion that one feels while rendering. Besides, the listener is in an emotional state while listening to that music - which is also important because it could be possible that this will now be linked to the emotional state of the listener. So he or she can use the song to recreate this emotion. Very often we hear people say "This is my song" and feel that special emotion again.

Rhythm and melody are two facets of music that lend themselves to enjoyment in their individual capacities. The experience of beat and rhythm has a simple relation with joy, well-being and even excitement. Babies spontaneously start to rock and move when they hear music with a pronounced beat in a medium or fast tempo. By changing rhythm, we can change the aesthetic appeal of a piece of music. Even a change of tempo can cause variations in the aesthetic appeal.

Similarly, melody, which is the soul of music, can create different types of feelings in listeners. Some melodies bring soulfulness, some sadness, some bring jubilance or tranquility.

Music is created from the heart and moulded by emotion. As musicians, we are inherently creative - so people say - and we have the ability to derive intense pleasure from a particular piece of music, which we listen to or produce. Here, I am referring to an aesthetic experience, which everybody must have felt. Tears of joy, a tug at the heart, goose pimples... True art always comes as an irresistible inner urge. We hear a song of Thyagaraja and are enthralled just as we gaze at a majestic temple or an ancient sculpture with wonder. All such works of art are the result of an inner urge. That is why it is something inherently beautiful.

... And there can be no enjoyment more impersonal and sublimating than what it offers. It prepares the very soul for something higher."

by Bombay Jayashri Ramnath

The writer is a Carnatic musician based in Chennai.

[http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo0012/00120420.htm]


Picture is from http://www.christart.com/

I love music! All kinds, it don't really matter what genre. Anything from Classical, Metal, Screamo, Punk, Country, Rap, Alternative, Rock, World, to Reggae. My favorite is Praise music, which gives glory to God. I love how nowadays you can find Praise music from any Genre, where in the past, it has not been as diverse, mostly just one type of music. But I also like other types of music, because of the skill needed to make it and the great lyrics that were written to go with that music. No one can deny it's power, thank you Lord for giving us music! So Praise the Lord and let your soul fly!

The Starfish Story

"Early one morning a young girl was walking on the beach when she noticed thousands of stranded Starfish. To save them she began tossing them, one at a time, back into the ocean. When a passerby told her she couldn't possible save all the Starfish, she tossed one into the ocean and replied, "Well, I made a difference to that one." Inspired by the little girl, others came to help. Together, they made a difference."


Got this short story off the back of a "Pepperidge Farm Baked Goldfish/Starfish" bag.


If you have the ability to dream big, like the little girl from the story, than you have one of the main ingredients of becoming successful! According to multimillionaire, Matt Morris, this ability is the main reason he has had such a profitable career. When we were children we all had an amazing ability to dream. For an example when you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up? Do they say. "I'm going to try to be a fireman" or "I'm going to try to be an astronaut" or "I'm going to try to be a professional athlete". No they have their dream and that is what they are going to be! No if. and. or buts about it. Unfortunately, as they grow up, people begin to tell them they are being unrealistic, they tell them they should inspire to be something they can accomplish more easily. For many children society steals their dream. When a child lowers their expectations because of practicality, their dreams start to wither away. It's not the child's fault, they are just following the footsteps of their heroes. The heroes of most children are usually their parents. When they are growing up they see their parents as having all the answers and they can do anything, but as they get older they see their parents are giving up on their dreams. It's because they have made small goals like getting out of debt instead of owning a million dollars. Paying off their bills instead of living off the interest that is created from their investments. It's no surprise that children stop looking up to their parents as they get older. Which also leads to them giving up on their dreams also.

The common trait of all successful people is the ability to dream big dreams. According to Matt Morris, success is largely dependant on desire. A burning desire is what you need in your gut, to do what is necessary to succeed. I most definitely have this desire, I always have! My desire was to live, I was going to live my life no matter what! Growing up I always had people telling me that I shouldn't push myself, but I thought if I didn't push myself, I am not truly living. If I wanted to play sports, lift weights, ride my bike, or whatever I wanted to do, I did it. It may have taken me longer than most but I got it done and after wards I felt proud. I felt proud that I could actually accomplish what I have started. Especially, when I think about when I was two years old and the doctors told my parents that I had a 10% chance of actually surviving. Thank you Lord, for blessing me with 23 great years! I just try to ignore the pain in my body and keep pushing myself. You know what they say, "if you don't use it, you lose it". Don't let anyone, anything, even if it's your own body stop you, you can do whatever you put your mind to!

According to Matt Morris, the formula to creating a burning desire is through your dreams. Dreams are the fuel that fire desire. They are, what get you back on your feet when you are knocked down. Dreams are the motivating force that help to get that extra mile in. Dreams are the fuel that provide sheer willpower that allow you to say, "I can, I will, I must!" They give us power, they allow us to stand out above the crowd. They are also a main ingredient in leadership. Dreams provide inspiration to yourself and others when they are shared with enthusiasm and faith. This is why I truly believe in what Success University stands for, I also believe I am going to be very successful in the business! Why? Because it is my dream!

Soulkiss

A friend I have met from this blog left a comment saying, "I know I don't live for every moment, I don't even live for every day. I have wasted so many moments so many days seeking pleasure and comfort for myself. I pray right now that more and more my moments will be lived for others, for God, through Jesus." The truth is Brad, I didn't always either.

After high school, when I was diagnosed with the Myelodysplasia Syndrome I kind of became a recluse. Not that I don't like people just that I didn't want to depress people with all my problems. So I got into computer gaming, playing games like Tribes 2, Battlefield 1942, and World of Warcraft. I loved these games because of the friends I made from all over the United States and the world. I also loved the teamwork needed to be good in any of these games. It was alot of fun! It also helped me forget about my problems and it helped me escape.

In the online world my handle or screen name was Soulkiss, I got this name from a game I rather enjoyed called,"Vagrant Story" for Playstation. It was a name of a weapon in the game. I thought this was a cool and original name so I used it. I got teased about it but who doesn't get teased about their handle.

In World of Warcraft, "Four years have passed since the aftermath of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and a great tension now smolders throughout the ravaged world of Azeroth. As the battle-worn races begin to rebuild their shattered kingdoms, new threats, both ancient and ominous, arise to plague the world once again."

"World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. World of Warcraft is a "Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" which allows thousands of players to interact within the same world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory." [http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/beginners/index.html]

I thought being a healing class only made sense with my handle. I was a Dwarf Paladin named Soulkiss. I enjoyed healing my friends, through quests and dungeons and on the battlegrounds. I had tons of fun playing this game! It was all I really did, the game became addicting. I also was going through some hard times with a tumor that was found in my stomach. It did help me forget about it some but it didn't make it go away. After awhile I just felt empty and unhappy, so I stopped playing.

This is when I started reading a "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. This book helped me understand the meaning of life and what I was supposed to do with it. It helped explain God’s amazing plan which has been set before me. Once I knew the true reason behind life it made life a lot easier. It made life less stressful, helped me focus my time and energy, choices became easier, helped me see the worth of my life, and the most important goal of all life eternal!

After reading this book, I knew what my purpose really was. The author Rick Warren really helped explain the Bible and cleared many things up for me. I remember, asking the Lord to fill me with Holy Spirit. I got my answer! Wow, did he ever fill me with his spirit! This is the best way I can explain it. It felt like my heart was going to explode! I had so much emotion flowing through me, love and excitement pouring out of my heart! It was the greatest feeling I have ever felt! It was like the Lord kissed my soul.

Maybe this is the reason I chose the name Soulkiss, I just didn't know the true reason yet. *laughs* The Dwarven Paladin who would stick with his friends even if it meant death! I do miss those that I use to venture with, I will try to keep in touch with them. I use to see them everyday, we were like family. I still play online, I just have a different mission now. One that really means something to me! I am still helping others, just in the real world on the Internet. Inspiring and motivating those that need and seek it! I do hope you enjoyed reading this, take care!

The God of All Comfort

I mentioned before that I have started reading the Bible, I am on a 3 year course to read through the whole thing. It is like a chapter a day, which anyone can do. It alternates between the Old and New Testament, which keeps it interesting, I must say I am rather enjoying myself. The other night I came across this because I believe I was meant to see it even if it wasn't part of my course. I was lead there for a reason.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. [2 Corinthians 1:3-7 KJV]


Picture is from http://www.christart.com/


I believe I was supposed to see these passages because it helps reinforce my purpose which is to share my love for God because of how much he has blessed my life. It truley is a miracle that I am still on this earth after all I have been through. I thank God everyday that I wake up because every moment I have, really is a blessing! From living through Neuroblastoma where the doctors gave me a 10% chance of surviving, than being diagnosed in 2001 with Myelodysplasia Syndrome which is a Preleukemia that went into remission a few years later, to the stomach cancer they had found last year. This helps concrete my mission to help spread the good news to who ever wants to hear it. By sharing my testimony, I hope and pray that it gives you guys the strength and courage to live life to the fullest! Thanks for stopping by, and God bless!