Words of Advice!

I am just a simple man, but here are a few things that I have learned in my life.

Live with joy!!! --SMILE--  Happiness makes us smile, but also a smile can make you happy, both directly and indirectly. You may be surprised how the physical act of smiling can actually make you feel better. Your brain associates a smile with happiness. Fool your mind; smile and it will think happy thoughts. Also, a smile makes you appear kinder, more approachable, and overall more likable. Trust me, where it be in your professional or personal life, being likable will help you be more successful--which leads to more happiness, which leads to more smiles, which leads to even more happiness--an endless cycle, and IT ALL BEGINS WITH A SMILE.

Learn to work with others. Surround yourself with smart, talented people, and work with them. Face it, you may be smart, but, in everything, there is someone even better. Use their skills to help you succeed. But this in not a one-way street, in the same way, use your skills to help them succeed. There is great truth in the idea that everybody is your superior in someway, and you are to them. Figure out what you have to offer each person. PROSPER THROUGH  PRODUCTIVE  PARTNERSHIPS! Take advantage of synergy; be a team player concerned with group success, not individual success.

NEVER STOP LEARNING! New languages, new interests, new skills. And know the interest of others, and learn about them. Other than just making them feel better, great opportunities can begin with the smallest of connections. Read, read, read!  Read history, read news, read novels, read poetry--just read! Cram all that knowledge in there for a man with many interests is comfortable in any situation and conversation. Broaden your horizons; learn from others; focus on what you are not good at so you can become well-rounded.

OPEN YOUR MIND! Everything--EVERYTHING has more than one side...usually several. If someone disagrees with you, try to understand their perspective. Conflict comes from having different perspectives. By understanding others' perspectives, it can help you relate to other people. Don't be afraid to compromise--there are times that we need to.  Of course, there are times that we shouldn't also. Either way, it is better to understand the other person's point of view. Know your opponents and friends. This can help you build both personal and business relationships. Businesses must have something to offer. What better way to come up with something to offer than by knowing other people and their needs. Sometimes you need to put yourself in their shoes and look at things through their eyes. This will help develop and market products that will appeal to others.

LOSE YOUR PRIDE! Don't worry about what people think about you. Instead of worrying about looking good, BE GOOD! Be intelligent, kind, and successful--then just let people see the real you. Masks and facades fade away. They can hide you for a while, but your true self will eventually show through. Might as well show your true self from the beginning--being good will not just make others think better of you, but you will feel better about yourself. Your confidence will soar! (This is also the dating advice that I give...don't pretend to be the things that they want...be them...usually smart, funny, and considerate are more than a girl/guy can ask for).

LIVE FOR OTHERS! Real joy doesn't come from an individual accomplishment; it comes from helping others. From helping those who are starving to helping those you work with, everybody needs something. Beyond physical needs, people want to feel special. Help other people in your life by making them feel important...nah, don't make them feel important, make them important to you. Put their happiness above your own. And the crazy thing is that this will actually bring you more happiness. If you are able to make others happy and successful, be sure that you will also be.

APPRECIATE LIFE'S FAILURES

If I have shown courage, it is not from me.  It is from the Lord and a loving family.  If I had gone through what I went through by myself, I would probably be depressed and crying. However, the Lord has given me strength and my family has given me encouragement.

I never thought about a brain injury survivor being someone who exemplified courage; that is why I was a little surprised when I heard that I won this award (BTW, I won the Courage Award from the Missouri Brain Injury Association). When I think of courage, I think of firefighters or soldiers...or some guy that wrestles bears, not someone like me, but if we look at courage as tackling a tough situation with a positive attitude, then I guess we can view brain injury survivors as courageous.

I have lost a lot from my accident.  I have vision and balance problems among many others, but, dammit, I am not going down without a fight.  I am going to battle through these things and continue to chase my dreams.  We all have a hand that is dealt to us (or that we later draw), and what is important is how we play our cards.  If we fold our hand, give up and call it quits, then we show no courage.  We let the situation win.  However, if we continue to fight (using God and those close to us as strength), then we can overcome.  We can move past circumstances and show our courageous colors. 

I have been told quite often how great it is that I am still smiling.  Of course, I am.  Do you know how much I am blessed?  First of all, I am lucky to be alive, but also, I have been blessed with the best family and friends in the world.  Most importantly, I have been blessed spiritually--God sent his only son to die for our sins and now I will live forever in Paradise.  Hallelujah, I have been blessed--we have been blessed.  That is more than enough reason to keep me smiling.