Friday, March 19, 2010

Fall Back and Spring Ahead….

For many of us in America this was the weekend when we push our clocks ahead one hour. I was up Saturday evening/Sunday morning and I was watching the clock on the cable TV box and it said 1:59. I was waiting to see it switch to 2am and much to my amazement it switched to 3:00am.

What happened to Two A.M.? I missed it. A lot of things could have happened in that hour. An hour is pretty important to me and it seems to be getting more important as I get…, well let us just say more mature in life. Oh, let me just say it as it is…as I get older. What am I hiding? I am getting older and all I can say about that is …Thank God! Wow! I am getting older.

I have learned to appreciate each and every hour that I am around. Life is beautiful. There are moments within everyone’s life that things may seem gloomy and really dark. There may be times when horrible things may really happen.
Yet in general and as a whole, I love life and wouldn’t trade it for anything. When I lose an hour I feel cheated. I could have used that hour.

Every hour has meaning to me. I spent many of hours in my life which some may look back at and say were wasted hours, wasted life. I was homebound for many years, bed bound for a few. I have been in Rehabilitation Centers for three years on and off, hospitals hundreds of times and certainly locked up in my own body for almost a lifetime. Have I wasted time? Am I a wasted life?

Some may see my life that way. To those, I say. Take a look deep inside yourself first before you are ready to judge my life. My life is what it is and was what it was. I am here because of where I came from. Where I go next? I go forward, I am always headed forward. There are still times in my life where, for some crazy reason, I find myself going down that silly dark path but I do eventually find my way. I will continue too, as long as I have time in my life and it does not run out on me.

Eventually it will run out. When it does, then my turn will be over and I will know that I never achieved everything that I did. Was it everything I planned? Did I reach every goal? Of course I didn’t complete my “Bucket List”, but man do I have a lot to be thankful for: things I never thought I would have!

When I was a young “whipper snapper”, in my very early twenties, I thought someday I would be President. Oh, I had all the Ideas on how I could solve the world’s problems and make this country an even better place for all (I still I could). In those years, I never thought I would find anyone to fall in love with me and marry me. Children? I didn’t think that was going to ever happen for me and grandchildren, you must be kidding. I was going to be dead according to all the doctors by the time I was the age of 30, therefore grandchildren just were not in my future.

Look what happened! Here I am, maybe not the President of the United States but I am the luckiest man on earth! Look where I am. I am a soul mate, a person who I dreamed of being with from when I was 14 years old and now this angel is my wife. I am a dad, and I am a Ga Ga (grandpa). What great titles to have. I have to tell you when I think of the two titles of…Mr. President, or Ga-Ga, well the truth be, the Ga-Ga title has got me Goo-Goo!

I have gained wonderful relationships, I am considered a friend to many people and I have many friends. I have a great supportive family. That is why every hour of every day has become so very important to me and should be important, to all of us. All of us should use the time we have, to do what we can, in the moment, for our self right now and to make yourself happy. Use the time we have to build, mend and create good strong solid relationships with others. Use this moment to make a good choice for yourself and do a healthy thing.

Too many of us use our precious time to damage our self. We will use it to overindulge and/or abuse our self physically and or emotionally. We will use the time at hand to stuff our problems, swallow them, smoke them or inject them but this behavior will never solve them.

We need to use the time wisely to solve the things that do not work in our life. To search for reasons things might not work for you and then find the solutions. We can begin to make positive changes in our lives right now! Today!
Remember as long as you have the breath then you have the time and as long s we have time, there is hope and then it will never be too late!

Life is to be enjoyed and though there are those dark moments, we still need to stay focused on the overall picture of “Life itself”. Life is “Light” and the beauty of what life can hold for you, for me, for us is just enchanting.

We are here for a finite period of time. What that time is, no one knows. If we are going to spend the time beating ourselves up for a whole lifetime then we have wasted a good opportunity, a good chance, and a time to enjoy… then we have wasted a life.

I had a friend; he will be my friend in my heart forever. He may not be physically on this earth anymore but he will be my friend as long as I will be able to think and feel. The truth is I hadn’t spoken to him in over twenty years but that did not mean he was not my friend. Nicky was a guy who from my viewpoint had everything to live for. In the day, many of the young woman desired him and I am sure some of the young men too. He had the looks any guy wouldn’t mind having. I know looking from my 700 pound body, I often desired his body but not in the way maybe the woman did. I wanted to physically have his body. Nicky also was the kindest, loving, most gentle guy you ever wanted to know. He loved my little son (at the time). He was a dedicated friend, employee and sort of my “left hand man”. He was loyal and would do anything for you. He was shy but at the same time had a nice personality. Nicky had one more thing; Nicky didn’t have much self-confidence. He was not comfortable in his own self. Something bugged him. He struggled a lifetime with his demons and just couldn’t get it together and now Nicky is no longer with us, physically on this earth.

Fifty-five years old may seem old to some but Nicky couldn’t hold on to that “Light of life”. He just couldn’t let himself; stay focused on the “Light of Life”. He tried; I know him and I bet he tried real hard. I guess no one knows someone else’s battles. The world will miss our Nicky….Too short a time, before his time!!
None of us know when our time will be up; that is why it is so very important to make the best of today. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Don’t wait until tomorrow to call that person you wanted to say “Hi” to. Tell “you know who” how special they are today.

Most of all do that something right, for you now…don’t wait!
Just think if you wait until later to take care of you or do that something nice for you…later may not get here. Later may be that lost hour between 1:59 and 3:00am that I saw go by the other night!

Have a great day, love each other and most of all love yourself …it is okay…

Love
Mike

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

First i have to say that i can so picture you sitting there going where is my 2 o clock .. Boot where is it but she is sleeping and we dont wake her .....

Time lost ... many times i feel like i have lost alot of time in my life from mistakes i have made and experiences i have had .. but the honest truth is not one of those moments was really a time wasted but it was a time spent on becoming me and who i am today....can i make up for lost time.. no never can but i can move forward and make each hour no wait each minute no each second as important as the last....and that is how i need to learn to live my life...
But i do know one thing right now is that i take each moment and each person in my life and hold them very dear to me....
Huggss and love
Carol

Anonymous said...

I have had feelings of wasted life for so many years. I am sitting here right now stuffing my face rather than facing my problems. I know I am only making things worse than they already are. I know what I have to do but just can't get it together. Michael reading this today has really got me thinking. I am going to make this happen for me. Once and for all. I do not want to happen to me what happened to your friend Nicky. I am also 55 and you have scared me a bit. Thank you for being so open and thank you Carol who ever you are. This is a great blog.
Susan London, England

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
Thank you for this new posting I needed it. As always you got it right. You are a great teacher and person who has so much to offer the world.
You have helped me so much.
Bob T

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan...

I read your blog and thought to myself wen you ended who ever i am .. and thought i am someone just like you Susan and i have been there many times wasting my life stuffing my face and not thinking about anything else but my next meal...and even though today i have many bad days my outlook on things are different and i am able to look at the world differently...
But now you need to stop and think ok was that moment really wasted or what did i learn from it and from what i see it was not wasted for you but it was a moment that made you think long enough to write that blog and be scared and whatever else goes on ...
I wish you the best of luck and please keep coming back and talk to all of us.. we have all been there and some of us are still there
Carol

Anonymous said...

Michael
I so understand what you are saying. You have a great philosophy and I love you sharing it with all of us. I have been in that lost time slot often. I have also wasted many a momnets. I tought today was going to be a wasted day and then I found this blog. Look at that. I now will be productive and pro-active in my life today. Thank you for your wisdom and sharing
Wendy J. KY

Anonymous said...

Thank you for another wonderful post. It's so true...we forget sometimes that time races by, and we need to live in the now and try to grab as much happiness from life as we can. The other day someone mentioned a neat quote to me... "Listen, are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?" We really need to breathe deeply and feel and love and radiate joy.

Thanks Mike!
MaryLeigh

Anonymous said...

I am thankful for you Michael and all those who contribute to this blog. You can not know how much you help me get through my life. Michael, you amaze me. Sometimes I think you are right in my house. You know what I am feeling, you know what I need at the time and then there it is with the right words in a blog post. Then I will read a carol, or Kathy or Mary Leigh, orPat, sue Robert or someone who will jsut help me click. Thank you Michael for being the hereo you are and writing the things you do. Especially this one.
Connie Thompson Il

Anonymous said...

I waste time and pass moments. You are right, Ihave to stop, my time is limited.
Johnathan Wild

Anonymous said...

Fatboy slim, don't cry

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous..

I hope tat you have a great day and one day do not get struck with an addiction or illness...
Unfortunately i pity you as you are someone who really has no understanding but if you would like full understanding of what goes on in a persons life and mind stick around the blogs some and learn..
I hope you have a glorious day

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Anonymous
To that bright person who wrote the Fatboy remark. The truth is I do not quite get it but if you are one of those unoriginal, who have nothing else to do but make fun of others (even if it is of "Fat" people) then honey you do have a bigger problem. Yours may not kill you physically as fast but it is certainly destroying you from inside out. You are a person with little stature and probably little everything else.
I personally pray for people like you that someday you will stop hating those who are different. Those who are heavy, mentally challenged, of a different religion than you, a different race or culture. Hate is Hate and it is ugly (and dangerous) No matter how you hide or disguise it. Well I hope that someday you and all who do not get it will learn exactly how difficult an overweight person has it. Not asking for pitty, not asking for or a handout just a little understanding.
To you my friend who I believe does not get it...I love you anyway and have agreat day!
Mike Hebranko

Anonymous said...

Great Comment Mike
Love all you have to say and the way you say it. I want to think the way you do.
Robin T.

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
What a great community you have set up for allthose with little hope.
?Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
I knew you back in the day and came to your meetings. I have been a professional dieter for over thirty years and struggling with my weight. I went to every Weigh Watchers group and tried all other kinds of groups including OA etc. You were the best motivational speaker, the most uplifting moderator I had ever sat with. I knew you when you were 198 pounds but I have to say you have been even more motivational to follow you through your current problems. You have remained public and willing to share with us even when things were not the best. Thank you and God bless you and please never stop trying and sharing.
M.T.

Kathy said...

Mike, Happy Easter to you and your beautiful wife, son and grandchildren. Thank you so much for helping me remember to not judge my insides by other people's outsides.

Anonymous said...

To Mike, Kathy, Carol, MaryLeigh, and all
I want to wish you all a very happy holiday and thank you for all your support. A special shout to Madelaine for taking care of our Big Teddy Bear.
This is such a loving place to visit
Susan

Anonymous said...

Aww thanks Susan! Happy Easter to you too and everyone! Mike, have a wonderful Easter! This time of year is so much fun because the feeling of renewal and hope is palpable. Enjoy the flowers and coming warmth and sun, everyone!

MaryLeigh

Anonymous said...

Mike you are so right, waisting time is worse than a sin. I have to get my life in order and you are helping. Thanks
Keith

Anonymous said...

Susan...
I hope that you had a wonderful Easter as well..... may the spirit of renewal continue to grow in you ...
Hugggss
Carol

Anonymous said...

I have taken a lookinside myself and you have helped me do so. Thank you Mike for all your writings and inspiration, you are a super human being
Love
Tami

Anonymous said...

Mike you have helped me fill in the blanks. Thank you for your writings and inspiration.
Love
Tami

Anonymous said...

Mike you have helped me fill in the blanks. Thank you for your writings and inspiration.
Love
Tami

Anonymous said...

Mike I have re-adjusted my life to make time for me. You have inspired me to never give up on myself. You and this blog have helped. Michael you are a very special man.
I love you
Vera H. R.I.

Anonymous said...

Mike
I wait for your posting, please another one soon. It has been almost a month. I find I look forward to them, they give me a little boost when I need it. Sometimes a reality check. Mike hope all is well with you and your family
Gwen R. Oregon

Anonymous said...

Michael
You have been an inspiration to me and so many others in the world. You sruggles have been public and you have shared your victories and set-backs. This has given me the power to go on.
Thank you for being so special.
Bobbi Thomas, Detroit

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
If I could ever meet you I would be the happiest person in the world. The people around you have to be so lucky. You havee been a hero to me. Thank you so much and please keep posting.
Jean W.

Anonymous said...

I got so much from this blog posting and I have to thank you for this and all you have taught me through your words and example. True you may not weigh 140 pounds and who knows you may, but you have taught us not to give up and look at the glass as half full. This is what makes me get through my days.
Pamela Winters

Rob G said...

Mike
Do you ever get mad and do you hate anyone in the present or from your past?
Rob G

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I too would love to know like Rob how you handle anger and hate. You must hate a lot of people who have scared you in the past. Who may mock now. I personally can not take it. I hold tell everyone off and I dont forgive or forget it. You hurt me, If you aree real close to me and you hurt me then I hate you privately.
I have a lot of anger.
Any suggestions
Carl Romero

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I aam a friend of your although we have never met. You are talked about in my household and are part of my family as if you were an uncle. My family get a lot of inspiration from you and what you write. Please write more often. We want to hear from you.
Portia

Frank T. said...

Mike
Just love this blog and get such a great amount of information and motivation from here. Thank you for all that you give back.
Frank T

Versailles said...

You will get that hour back in a couple of weeks ;o)

A smile to you from Norway.

Versailles said...

You will get that hour back in a couple of weeks ;o)

A smile to you from Norway.