I get By

AskingForHelp

We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.” -Orson Welles.

With an over two month inpatient hospital stay and constant therapy or doctor appointments upon discharge, my social life was dead on arrival. Not to mention I was practically on house arrest, not being able to drive anywhere. This just added to the great sadness that plagued me; a culmination of living upside down in a world that was not of my choosing. This “new world,” lacked the independence I had once known prior to the stroke, possessed no social life, and had way too much parental supervision for my liking. I often found myself alone making up things to keep busy and to keep sane. Luckily, growing up as an only child provided sufficient training for such circumstances. Living in a constantly moving world and being so unusually busy myself, friends were a rare sight. However, despite all of the hurdles there are those wonderful souls who have stepped forward and really offered their time and support. These humans are what I like to call rare birds, that stand out in an overwhelming flock of conformity and status quo. They are colorful when things are dull, different when things are uniform, and most of all compassionate. I’m happy that along life’s rocky road I picked up these hitchhikers and can call them my friends.

Whats more, these passengers I have procured aren’t the type to bail out as soon as the car breaks down. Instead of looking for another ride, they patiently wait and help me while I try to fix mine. For years now it is on these little pebbles of good moments that have added up to create a road I am able to move forward on. It’s not only good company, but it serves as therapy too! It has improved my soul, AND aided in the recovery of my brain. Therefore, these rare birds are certainly more then just flights of fancy. They also serve as part time therapists and free of charge no less! You can’t beat that. It is often that when life beats you down that these birds will rise up to meet and surprise you with their goodness. Because, it is when you find yourself in the dark that you need to be reminded of the light. This was(and is) especially true in my case and perhaps yours too. It seems the things we need most will find us when we least expect it.

cheers!

bleu

February 17, 2016

Help

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“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me?”

-Brian Tracy.

Sometimes We can’t do everything and have to humble ourselves. After a lifetime of being stubborn and independent, having to ask for so much help was altogether humbling and produced a great patience in me. Before I was injured I did everything when and how I wanted to. However, in the hospital and after I had to have assistance and help with nearly everything. Not only was I not used to asking for help but it was painful having to wait so long(or seemingly) for everything. I even needed help to cut my own nails! I have never been all that patient, but now I had no choice but to be patient and gracious when things weren’t done how I’d normally prefer them. It was not only difficult having to ask and then wait, but it made me feel set back as well. We live in a “I want it now,” society. Therefore, waiting to do anything(especially everyday tasks) was excruciating. We all need help sometimes, but never to this extent. To ask for so much help was not only humbling but a great teacher of patience. Imagine having to wait to do what you want, when you never really had to. The experience of this was not only a lesson but highlighted the fact that We are definitely spoiled by convenience. Most of all in my times of need little human Angels popped up everywhere. This was not only a lesson in patience and humility, but community too. We all need each other more than you realize. In fact after being put into such a situation, it was clear to me that we’d all be better off if society valued the servant roles as much as the master roles. In our pursuit for control we miss out on the beauty of a shared human experience. How much easier and full of love would life be, if We all helped each other rather than only ourselves? After being in a place of so much need I now understand the importance of serving and helping others. I actually look out for and forward to opportunities to help someone. As well as look back at the times I had them and didn’t. To share in the life and joys of another, even a stranger is more fulfilling than living selfishly. For each person that went out of their way for me, they made my day better and it was done for no personal gain. All of these small acts of kindness are woven into a larger tapestry that creates our experience of humanity, and all of humanity is better when We share it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWP6Qki8mWc&w=420&h=315%5DIt’s a lesson I wish I would’ve learned sooner than later. For, had that happened I would have spent so much more time sharing my life with others who needed help at that moment. In doing so and giving of yourself, you gain so much more than what you give. Don’t wait too long to realize this but the sooner you begin the better!

Go, Angel Go!

bleu

July 7, 2015

Love is all you need

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.”

-Ferdinand Foch.

Even though it’s been over 20 years since his death, John Lennon speaking from the grave is still inarguably correct. Although it seems the obvious conclusion,many people still need reminding. It’s apparent that with so much hurting in the World, love is the solution. If only people knew how much they were loved I suspect you’d see many more happy and healthy people. This is also why people preach of God’s(or “the universes”)love. Because,imagine if We were fulfilled in knowing that were deeply loved? I suspect that those empty places that each of us try to fill(some negatively) would cease to be a problem. Instead of looking outside ourselves or to other people, perhaps We need to turn our gaze inward and upward. To love and be loved is to be fulfilled and contented. The world has made a mess of love, but ideally it’s unconditional love that should be pursued. In order to show this kind of love, We first need to have been loved this way. The World demonstrates that love is simply a feeling or emotion. However, love is learned(a very intelligent therapist told me this). If your not shown or have experienced a healthy love, it’s more likely you will not know how to love others in a healthy way. This is how the problems ensue. If we are not given or shown love properly, that leaves room for dysfunction to creep in. This cycle perpetuates as generation after generation has missed the mark. The world certainly has perfected what love is NOT(see here!) When you know your truly and deeply loved, this carves out a rock solid foundation on which to build the highest of buildings. Without a solid foundation, the building will falter,as do We. When love fills in the gaps it allows us to reach our potential and soar. In order for this to happen, it seems the world and everyone in it needs to be rewired. This seems like an impossible and daunting task,except it isn’t. A revolution never started out of nothing but with one determined person. You don’t need a like minded mob to create change(although it helps)it can begin with one! If you are fulfilled with love, pay it forward and help create a domino effect. A master painting doesn’t just start out as a finished work,it begins with a single small brush stroke. You can be that first brush stroke in a series leading up to a Mona Lisa! There is no time like the present,and why wait until tomorrow for what you can do today?

–Carpe Diem

March 14, 2015

Love is all You Need

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

― John Lennon.

Through what has been a harrowing journey, I think one of the many bigger things I have learned is that if you have a choice, when you choose love you can’t lose.

As you probably already know, we are all connected like the synapses of our brains, paper chain dolls, and even the cosmos. Much like them we too, shine on.

I rarely like to ask for things, but plainly put,(Donate button on the right please) I need your help fellow humans.

This request stems from my journey in learning how to walk again from being half paralyzed.Early on in rehab, I used to pretend I was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge(not an indoor track rife with grandmas and grandpas)for motivation. However as I have gotten better, regained my balance, and amped up my determination I want to make this daydream a reality. Because when things are bad you can push through them to the other side. As a demonstration of this I want to walk all 1.1 miles of the bridge with friends and family to celebrate life, raise stroke awareness,and inspire others to cross their own bridges in life My hope is to do it in the Fall, but if funds won’t allow it will have to wait.Thus, if you will each raise up your hands, I could crowd surf safely across them to the stage.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3qvosHHcWc&w=560&h=315%5D

Love&Cheers,