A good system can get you where you want to go in 2016

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I know that most of you made New Year’s resolutions. I don’t really because I don’t see the point. You can pretty much say anything, but if you don’t do the work it doesn’t matter. A very smart friend of mine routinely says” under promise and over deliver. I find that this works extremely well in almost every aspect of life. Applying it to my own life, most people don’t expect a lot of me because i’m in a wheelchair.  consequently, when I do something that’s not even really that amazing, I get applauded. (graduating from college is a great example of this).

There were a lots of people in my life who thought I had conquered the world when I graduated. If there are any Young kids out there, going to college is not hard. If you show up every day and put in a reasonable amount of effort, you’ll be doing better than 90% of your classmates, and trust me, you will be rewarded for it.

Back to the original point. If you want to get something done this year. The key is just to start,and take small steps towards where you want to be. I know that I need a book under my belt, and this blog is a small step toward getting there. When I first started writing the book, I would sit in front of the word processor, and be completely at a loss as to what to write. Then Sara came along, and helped me deal with one of my biggest hurdles at that time, the typing. When she got too busy to help me anymore. Evie showed up. After some trial and error. She started this blog, despite my whining. I’ve learned over the last several months , that if I have even a little feedback from readers, it’s much easier for me to continue writing. (my friend Scott Adams calls this creating a system to make it easier to get to where you want to go.) You can read my review of his book right here.

It’s been several months since I read that book, and I’ve had a chance to apply systems to my own life, (this blog being one of them), and based on my experience Scott was right. This is much easier than sitting in front of a word processor, (and much more dynamic). Sometime in the near future, (I have no idea when), I will have enough content here to finally put together the book that I started years ago.

So let’s recap, grand resolutions are hard to keep, (impossible for most of us). So instead create a system that will get you where you want to go. If you want to lose weight, find something you enjoy doing, like taking a walk in the park, instead of going to the gym. If it’s fun you’ll do it better(and the more often) I swear. Working on this blog is fun, so I write more it’s that simple.

Just for fun, tell us what resolutions you have made for 2016 in the comments.  Let’s talk about creating systems instead of setting goals to get you where you want go. Give Evie some props for the fancy artwork while you’re down there. Thank you rock star.

Also thanks to Scott Adams. Go read his book.

 

 

 

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No one is perfect and if they were they’d be bored to death

 

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I’m obviously not perfect. My chair reminds me of that every day. No one is, but we all seem to strive for it. For some it’s about weight. Others it’s about money, or self-image. It varies but we all struggle with something.

I don’t really ever think about my imperfections until I’m turned down by a woman that I’m interested in. Everything else in my life could be going my way, but when that woman says no, I struggle.

Intellectually, I know I’m a great guy and if someone doesn’t want me it’s their fault, but in truth, when I get told no, it’s a massive struggle to not get down on myself, and start thinking “if I wasn’t in a chair, she’d say yes. I can’t really blame her who would want someone with all my issues”

Truth is, if I wasn’t in a chair, I’d still be flawed in some other way. No one is perfect because our imperfection is what makes us interesting. My imperfections give me a perspective on life, that very few people will ever have. My imperfection makes me unique, and gives me gifts that no one else can match.

It’s hard to keep that in mind when you’re struggling, I know, but it’s true. There is no one on earth like you, who can do what you do, because they don’t have the imperfections that make you who you are. Use them and be great.

Thanks to Evie for another  great comic

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What will you do with a fresh start?

Being in a wheelchair isn't easy but I ride a wheelie as often as I can
Being in a wheelchair isn’t easy but I ride a wheelie as often as I can

It’s the first day of 2016. That means as of 12 AM, last night we all get to start fresh. Whatever happened last year can be left in the past and you can look forward to the future. 2016 can be whatever you want it to be.

Make the best of it.  Feel free to share your plans for the year with the rest of us in the comments below

This is the first comic of the year from Evie. I can’t wait to see what’s next. We both wish everyone the best of everything this year. I’m wondering if she’s supposed to be the cat peeking from behind my chair?

 

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In case you aren’t aware Christmas is here

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Let’s get this out-of-the-way right now. I’m an adult and I believe in Santa Claus. Christmas may be my favorite holiday.I’ve never thought to ask Santa for a body upgrade, but after seeing the comic a couple of days early I added it to my list. (I’ll let you know how it’s working out in a future post).

I love to give and there is just something special about this day. Most important to me is what this day means to me as a Christian. I believe that God has blessed me in more ways than I can even describe, and I I am so thankful.

Know that you are special. blessed with gifts and talents you might not even be aware of. You may not feel it, but trust me there are there.

I am blessed by the people around me. My family, Evie, Natalie and more friends than I can name, Evie doesn’t like for me to talk about her much. The truth is this blog would be nothing without her. She keeps me on my toes, and  is constantly pushing me to create better content.  I’ve always wanted a business partner. It’s no fun taking over the world by yourself. If I am successful at all, it will be because we did it together. Thank you for all your work and all that you do.

If you’re reading this I hope you have support in your life similar to what I have been blessed with. If not, the new year starts in just a few days, and we all get to start fresh. We are going to take a small break, but we will be back January 1 with fresh new content. In the meantime, we have lots of content that you may not have gotten around to reading. Most of it makes sense I promise.

I don’t talk about often, but we do have a donate button on the side of the page if you’d like to give us a Christmas present, and support what we do. No obligation of course. Our content is free and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. If you have ever wondered what the money goes for. It helps me to pay for all the fabulous work that goes on around here. (Points to the comic above).

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanzaa and whatever else I forgot. (I guess that’s why people say happy holidays) we will see you in about a week. Thanks for reading, if you weren’t reading, there would be no reason for me to write. You make it all worth it.

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There is never enough handicap parking

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I have a small confession to make. People who can walk stealing a parking place from someone like me doesn’t bother me that much. Think about it, what’s the worst that could happen if I have to roll a mile and the half in Walmart parking lot? At worst I might strain a joystick finger. I’ve watched people walk all my life, I have to be honest, that looks like it hurts. I have very limited experience in walking, but honestly, watching people walk, I am genuinely surprised that they don’t keel over from the effort more often. I think I probably would,

With that in mind, I think this handicap parking thing might be backwards. I think you people stealing my spots, might actually deserve them because you have to walk. However, we must also keep in mind that there are older people who are still walking who genuinely needs those spots. The next time you steal a parking place, Think twice. Someone in a motorized chair like me may not need the spot, but you might be taking it from a 90-year-old grandmother, who definitely doesn’t need to walk that far. When an older person like that falls, not only is it really hard to get up, but It can be deadly. Just a little food for thought

This has been Wheelchair Wednesday,

Thanks to Evie for the comic. She is available for hire folks. If you’re interested, let us know in the comments.

 

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I don’t get stressed in my pajama pants

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I don’t watch the news a lot, mainly because most of it is bad. This time of year it doesn’t matter where you go, most people seem to be in a bad mood, not in the holiday spirit. I guess I can’t them. Combine all of the bad news we see with every day stress, and then add in the extra stress that comes with a special times of the year, and it’s easy to see how someone could lose track of what’s good in their lives.

I’m not just being funny with today’s comic. I LOVE my pajama pants. I’m wearing them right now. If I don’t have an appointment or somewhere to be, I wear them everyday. I refuse to wear them in public but that’s a whole other thing. I don’t get people who wear them in Walmart or other very public places. I know you want to be comfortable but come on.

That  said, if I’m home they are my favorite things to wear. They just make me feel better. When you’re stressed i,f you can find a small way to improve your outlook even if it’s wearing pajama pants, it makes all the difference in the world. if you don’t believe me give it a try. (wearing PJs to work is not endorsed by this blog, unless you have a day for that that’s totally cool). For you it may not be pJs that makes you feel good. Find something small that gives you comfort, and use it liberally to get through the stressful times. A nice hot shower is another great example.

On a sidenote, the new Star Wars gave me comfort and drastically improved my attitude. (it’s really good that’s all I’m saying). More on that in a future post.

I’ve heard athletes say’ look good feel good Play good” I think there’s a lot of truth to that. If you feel good because of something you’re doing, I think it makes every day life much easier. So go put on some PJs, watch a good movie or listen to some music. Your stress may not go away, but doing something that makes you feel good either physically or emotionally helps keep it at bay.

Thanks to Evie for another fabulous comic

This has been a Motivational Monday

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Do you trust the bladders of those around you?

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I truly enjoyed being in the pool when I was little. Up until the age of 16 or so. I had to have a lot of help. I mean a lot. When I was in the pool, someone had to hold me, or at least give some support. most of the time that was my mom. It was good exercise, my arms and legs got a great workout. At some point mom stopped wanting to get in the pool. I never had a hot girlfriend that wanted to take me into the pool, so my options for partners were limited.

Also, this comic is pretty much true. I’ll admit I peed in the pool. I could make lots of excuses, but I’m pretty sure all of you have done it at one point or another even if you don’t remember. If you were ever  in the pool as a small child, I guarantee you did. Go ask your mom, she’s probably got a few good stories, and maybe even some pictures. (yes it shows up in some pools) Once I realized that others had probably done it as well, I stopped missing being in the pool quite so much.

This has been Funny Friday

Thanks again to Evie for making us all laugh

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Rocky ain’t got nothin on me

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I’ll admit I probably missed out on a few things in my life, I would have loved to have been able to play sports, but to be honest, the chair is all I know.

When I think about playing sports I can’t really imagine what it would feel like to be graceful enough to do something like that. It would be fun I’m sure but I can’t really imagine having that much ability, and control over my body. I think there is something to the saying “you don’t really miss what you never had”

The only reason I wanted to run up the steps in Philadelphia is because the image of Rocky doing it was etched in my brain at very early age.

Truthfully, the only time I really ever think about not being able to walk or run is when there is an accessibility issue, or I want to dance with a girl. (I have been known to take a girl out onto the dance floor in my lap for a spin). So the chair doesn’t really stop me from dancing,  finding a woman who is open-minded enough to do that           Is rare, but they do exist. I also dance in the virtual world of Second Life from time to time, but I’m kind of picky when choosing my dance partner, and they don’t always say yes. If you want to dance it can be done.

I suppose the same could be said for wheelchair sports, although I’ve never really been interested in trying them. so I can’t speak to that. The moral of the story is, whether it’s a wheelchair, or a loss of a limb, or any other number of things that might seem like a limitation. The only real limitation is whether or not you’re willing to try and find a way around it. If there is no way around it, then find the benefit in it. Are half full or half empty?

 

This has been Wheelchair Wednesday

Thanks again to Evie for the fabulous comic. Comments are welcome.

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The cerebral palsy weight-loss plan

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Today’s comic is funny but it’s also very true. I can open a piece of candy or get a piece of cake for myself, but only if it is placed at a level where I can reach it. Even then, it takes a lot more effort to get the job done then it does for most people.The upside to this is that I rarely overdo it. I’ve never struggled with my weight or had to worry about what I was eating. Nothing like a built-in obstacle to keep you healthy. This holiday season I know it can be a extremely tempting to overindulge in all the good things that are around. You know as well as I do, you’ll feel better if you don’t. If you are having trouble with the self-restraint. Put some oven mitts on your hands while you’re trying to open candy. Better yet, put that cake or pie where you can’t reach it. When you do decide to indulge only allow yourself a little bit.

I have a massive sweet tooth. I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me I have some Candy sitting on the table next to me, and I’d really like a piece. I’ll probably have one before the afternoon is over, but I’ll make myself open it so I will use a little restraint.

 

This has been Motivational Monday

Today’s comic was done by Evie Marie I couldn’t do any of this without her.

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