Life defined by Grandpa...

Today seems to be the yearly marker of resolutions.  People ask each other what they have resolved for the new year.  What are you going to give up?  What are you going to stop doing?  What are you going to change?  For me, these questions have no answer.  Why?  This year it is all about what I am going to rediscover and embrace.

For those of you who have read my blog kind of have an idea of the ground I stand on.  That is where I am going to refocus, the ground I stand on.  This sounds a little odd, I will give you that, but read on....

I have been told many times that I am an old soul.  I have been described as a motivator, a mood control, if you will, for those around me.  As kind as these statements are, I think they are more deserved by my Grandpa.  You see, I am a collective representation of the lessons he taught me.  There is no possible way for me to share the answer to "What is life?", but I can share his words.  His words are what made me the man I am today. His words are the gravity of my universe.  His words are the building blocks to my every day.  His words are too valuable for me to slice up and hand back to you as my interpretation.  So, without further ado (and any more references to "his words") here you go:

Grandpa says:

"Don't worry!  Worry does not resolve anything, it simply eats up energy, time, emotion, and value.  Worry is useless"

"Good friends are not friends at all, they are family.  They have a different blood line, yes, but they chose you.  You can't say that for natural relatives!"

"Do the right thing.  If you don't know if you are doing the right thing, then you probably aren't"

"Live for yourself, and no one else.  Think about it, is anyone else going to take your place in that coffin on judgement day?"

"Find Happiness inside you.  Happiness can't be bought off the shelf.  It can't be eaten, or poured into a glass, or even smashed into a pill.  Happiness is inside yourself and not outside in the world.  The world, and time will go on without you having ever existed, so why would it owe you happiness?  Look into yourself for happiness, it is in there, just find it, embrace it, and feed it.  It is sitting in there right next to pride, respect, responsibility and joy.  Go shake hands and introduce yourself"

"Nothing has more value then the love of your life, nothing!"

"Don't go to bed angry, sad, lonely or drunk.  You never really know if you will wake up, so go to sleep at peace."

"Treat others better then you treat yourself.  You will never have to regret your behavior." 

"Woman is the better sex.  There is no argument.  Like God, they can create life."

"Share the gifts life has brought you.  Not because others may not have these gifts, but because the act itself is a gift to those you share with and yourself for sharing."

"Everyone will die, and when you do, what would you like them to say?  For me, I want them to say "He was a good man, and I am better for knowing him.  That's it, but that's a lot"

"If you can't stand alone, sit down and others will come to help you!"

"Love is not an emotion, it is a dedicated way of life"

"Look in the mirror.  If you don't see greatness, then get your shit together and change it."

"Many people have come before you.  Many of those people made the same mistakes.  Learn from the mistakes of others, it will give you more time for the better things in life.  Like making love after a wonderful meal or watching your children see something new for the first time."

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.  So for New Years this year, I am going to reintroduce myself to me, and to my Grandpa.  I am going home this month to tell him about the gifts he has given me.  I hope these gifts benefit you as well, because Grandpa thinks they will.