I simply want to start this post by saying THANK YOU to all of you who have been so supportive to me these past few days. The emails,phone calls, voice mails and text messages have helped me tremendously.
At the end of this post is an extremely important message to benefit a Racing for Recovery supporter by the name of John Gleeson. Please take the time to read this and if you can help it is greatly appreciated.
I have done some things that have helped me lately and need to keep doing those as that is what helps me get and stay healthy. Here is a little something to ponder here. How do you keep a single crab in a bucket without a lid on it? You add more crabs. Think about that for a moment. Ever watch a crab trying to get out of the bucket, all of the other crabs pull the one who is trying to get out down. This is how negativity works. If you surround yourself with drugs or an unhealthy lifestyle in some capacity you are going to get negative results. However there is another option and that is to stay on the path of healthy living which includes not deliberately putting yourself into negative situations.
Since poker is such a huge thing now (why it is on ESPN I have no idea lol) here is another little thing to think about. If you win 3 straight hands at poker then loose 16 do you stay in the game. You can say to yourself “I know I lost the last 16 but I won the first 3 I know I can win again” Does this sound familiar with regards to going back to the same situation or doing the same things and expecting different results? That is the definition of insanity. So the bottom line is are you a bad poker player for staying in the game or a good one for leaving after you realize you are not going to win?
Here is how I am now living my life and it is a banking analogy. Everything we do is either a deposit or a withdraw in our daily living. For example, when I wake up spend time with my kids, eat healthy, exercise, get some spiritual guidance, associate with positive people and educate myself in some capacity I am making deposits. On the other hand, if I argue, yell, let other people dictate how I feel emotionally, not exercise and eat poorly I am withdrawing from my overall health. I am choosing to only make deposits.
I did not create all of the sayings above they were given to me as advice by awesome people to help me help myself and I (like I always do) share information with others and hope that it helps in some capacity.
6 more days until I leave for Ultraman which is going to bring peace, tranquility, support and a ton of physical pain, all of which I am looking forward to.
I realize I can’t control other people or situations as they are going to do what they want regardless of what I say or how I feel but what I do have complete control of is how I respond. This is not always easy but I am doing my best.
I want to say to my beautiful kids Skylar, Konor, Madison and Mason, I love you with all my heart and I promise to be the best dad I possibly can to you. I will not be perfect and I know I will make mistakes (God knows that) but I will always be here for you. Even if I am across the world, know you are all in my heart. Skylar thanks for telling me about the David Cook song “The Time of My Life” it is not Motley Crue or AC-DC but it is a great song and very applicable to what is currently going on with your dad.
I am closing with this pic that was taken right before Ironman South Africa. I do not have to say anything as the picture does it for me.
Enjoy your weekend and I will post again in Hawaii.
Todd
A Benefit for John Gleeson
November 29, 2008
As many of you may already know, John Gleeson was in a tragic accident on September 21st. During his training for Ironman Florida, John was struck by a car while cycling. John sustained massive injuries including: Broken legs, Ribs, Sternum, both Hips and Neck. Accompanying his broken bones John also had severe internal injuries including a Punctured Lung and a Pulverized Spleen.
While in Stony Brook Hospital recovering from his injuries and awaiting a second hip surgery, John suffered a stroke paralyzing his left side, which has complicated his recovery.
On Saturday November 29th Johnʼs friends & family will be holding a benefit in Johnʼs honor. Please come out to support John, his wife Ashley, young daughter Sydney and baby due in February, as we can all help with Johnʼs recovery. The benefit will be held at Johnny McGoryʼs pub on Front Street in Massapequa (located on the north side of the Massapequa Park train station), November 29, 2008 1-5pm. All proceeds will directly benefit John & his family. There will be a $10.00 cover charge, complimentary food and drink specials. Individual donations are welcomed. There will also be several prizes raffled off ranging from Gift Certificates to local retailers, Gym membership, Tickets to games, Spa Treatments & and A Night on the Town in Manhattan as well as many others.
Hey all short and sweet here. 16 years ago right now I was drunk at my grandmas house sitting in her car ready to call it quits. I can recall the emotional pain I was going through then but also the relief that it was all going to be over with soon and that my family and friends would not have to deal with my addiction any longer. Today is a different story. I am in Hawaii and thankful to not only be alive but to have all the goodness in my life today. It is also amazing to see Eddie here and knowing his life is better as a result of the work he has put into it and the role that Racing for Recovery played in it.
