Alright. I think it's time for the second part of the story. First off, I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful feedback from the previous post. Upon writing it, I had no idea what kind of impact it was gonna make, but I'm thankful that at least a few benefited from reading it. Thanks again for the responses. It truly means a lot.
This is going to be rather short and sweet.
I must begin by saying that Kyle and I have quickly become well acquainted with one another. Kyle is the blind guy. (He may be without sight, but he does have a name.) He comes in the weight room just about every time I'm working. He has remarkable form when lifting weights, despite the fact that he doesn't know what "form" looks like. It floors me every time I glance over and see him working out. I forget that he's blind for a second...it's just so unreal.
But I think I've said enough about him. He's a remarkable being, there's no other way I can put it. So I'll switch the focus to all of the "normal" people with all five senses, who don't necessarily deserve them. (More specifically: myself)
...and I will do so in a later post. Sorry, its late again and I'm not really feeling a creative flow. You can't force the cards. I promise I'll get back to it ASAP with a clear mind and open heart. The next post will be straight to the point; no lolly gagging. Bring a helmet.
My apologies,
Zach
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
face first
Today I posted a Facebook status that read:
"I fear my life will forever encompass an unnatural love/hate relationship with the things that continuously knock me on my face."
The specific meaning behind this is a mystery to everyone I'm sure, so let me elaborate...
The inspiration behind this odd cluster of words stems from a certain incident that occurred today (if not a continuum of instances that happen to us all every now and again). It's one of those things that places you outside of your comfort zone and into the reality of things we aren't accustomed to. I'm talking about the times when you feel you have to give your testimony out-of-the-blue. Or when a beggar asks if you have any spare change. Or when you see an old lady in desperate need of someone to help her cross the street. My such event involved me helping a blind man.
For those that don't know, I work at the University of Montevallo Student Activity Center when I'm not in class. I mostly just supervise the weight room and make sure no horse-play goes on. It is, of course, a very uneventful job...until a blind guy walks in and wants to get in shape. So I show him around the place and point out the different machines and describe the muscles they work to the guy. A very uncomfortable situation, I must say. I never really had any interactions with a blind person prior to today, so I wasn't sure how to accomplish this task. Should I hold on to him so he doesn't trip over the machines? Should I direct his hand to the various mechanisms and levers and weights? Or should I treat him as if he had no disability at all? I'm sure he could feel the hesitance in my voice as we toured the facility. I just wanted it to be over so I could go back over behind the front desk and gather my thoughts and breathe a sigh of relief. Selfish me...
He didn't plan on working out at that time, so he departed when I had finished showing him around. But before he left, something inside me--something I wish I could uncover at will (or that would remain uncovered all the time) caused me to tell him my work hours. I told him when I was available and to ask me for any kind of help he needed. My outlook on the situation had done a complete turnaround in a matter of minutes. I don't know why or how my brain told my mouth to move and my voice to share this information. I didn't like dealing with this uncomfortableness, so why would I freely allow more at a later date? I think it's because I long for things that are unknown, but am too scared to go out and face it until it's standing right in front of me. I think God definitely puts those uncomfortable tasks in our path to test us and ultimately make us stronger. Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone; I know a lot of people can deal with things of this sort with ease. THAT is incredible!
There will be sort of a 2nd part to this regarding the way I (we) take things for granted, like the five senses most of us are blessed with. It's late and I've said enough already. Until then, be ready when you get thrown a curve ball.
God bless,
Zach
"I fear my life will forever encompass an unnatural love/hate relationship with the things that continuously knock me on my face."
The specific meaning behind this is a mystery to everyone I'm sure, so let me elaborate...
The inspiration behind this odd cluster of words stems from a certain incident that occurred today (if not a continuum of instances that happen to us all every now and again). It's one of those things that places you outside of your comfort zone and into the reality of things we aren't accustomed to. I'm talking about the times when you feel you have to give your testimony out-of-the-blue. Or when a beggar asks if you have any spare change. Or when you see an old lady in desperate need of someone to help her cross the street. My such event involved me helping a blind man.
For those that don't know, I work at the University of Montevallo Student Activity Center when I'm not in class. I mostly just supervise the weight room and make sure no horse-play goes on. It is, of course, a very uneventful job...until a blind guy walks in and wants to get in shape. So I show him around the place and point out the different machines and describe the muscles they work to the guy. A very uncomfortable situation, I must say. I never really had any interactions with a blind person prior to today, so I wasn't sure how to accomplish this task. Should I hold on to him so he doesn't trip over the machines? Should I direct his hand to the various mechanisms and levers and weights? Or should I treat him as if he had no disability at all? I'm sure he could feel the hesitance in my voice as we toured the facility. I just wanted it to be over so I could go back over behind the front desk and gather my thoughts and breathe a sigh of relief. Selfish me...
He didn't plan on working out at that time, so he departed when I had finished showing him around. But before he left, something inside me--something I wish I could uncover at will (or that would remain uncovered all the time) caused me to tell him my work hours. I told him when I was available and to ask me for any kind of help he needed. My outlook on the situation had done a complete turnaround in a matter of minutes. I don't know why or how my brain told my mouth to move and my voice to share this information. I didn't like dealing with this uncomfortableness, so why would I freely allow more at a later date? I think it's because I long for things that are unknown, but am too scared to go out and face it until it's standing right in front of me. I think God definitely puts those uncomfortable tasks in our path to test us and ultimately make us stronger. Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone; I know a lot of people can deal with things of this sort with ease. THAT is incredible!
There will be sort of a 2nd part to this regarding the way I (we) take things for granted, like the five senses most of us are blessed with. It's late and I've said enough already. Until then, be ready when you get thrown a curve ball.
God bless,
Zach
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Real Joy
It's Christmas Eve. Of course, just like when I was a child, I am thinking mostly about what "Santa" is gonna throw down the chimney tonight. I'm sure most everyone else reading this can relate...no matter your age. But I was doing a bit of thinking, and what I came to realize is this: this year is gonna be different. The end of this year is the end of a decade and the birth of a new one. Yeah yeah the same thing happened on January 1, 2000 but I was young then and didn't have a care in the world. Now that I'm older, I can understand the impact that 10 years can make. As I look back, the past 10 years have honestly, for me, been kinda mediocre. The good things of the past decade far exceed the negative, but I feel things could have been a lot better...not just for me but for everyone.
With this in mind, I know that no matter how happy Christmas morning makes me, it will not compare to the joy of starting my next 10 years. The joy of tomorrow can not simply be contained within my living room. It is silly to think that. The real joy is standing outside my front door, and its name is Expectation.
I'm abnormally excited about the next 10 years if you haven't figured that out already. I hope it will be a time of much love and laughter and cherishing every moment you have with those important to you. That is my wish. I pray that myself and the world grows closer together and to God. I hope that maybe we can sort of get away from the technology boom that occurred over the past 10 years (Facebook, iPhones, etc.) and start experiencing the "real world" and real human emotions. I hope that our military is kept safe and that a major conflict will delay for at least 10 more years. I hope that good music will continue to be discovered. I hope that no matter the trials we face throughout the next decade, we still understand that it is all part of a bigger plan than we can understand. I hope that the hype of 2012 doesn't tear us all apart. And I hope that our world leaders can guide us through rough times and bring justice around the globe.
Who knows what the next 10 years has in store. Maybe I will finally know what it is I'm supposed to be doing here. Maybe I can love and show compassion like never before. Maybe I will meet THE girl of my dreams.
The next 10 years is gonna be crucial. I encourage everyone to live it and enjoy every second of it. I know I'm gonna try. I hope everyone finds the real joy in life over the next 10 years, whatever that means for you. My expectations are high, I know, but I think its possible.
God bless,
Zach
With this in mind, I know that no matter how happy Christmas morning makes me, it will not compare to the joy of starting my next 10 years. The joy of tomorrow can not simply be contained within my living room. It is silly to think that. The real joy is standing outside my front door, and its name is Expectation.
I'm abnormally excited about the next 10 years if you haven't figured that out already. I hope it will be a time of much love and laughter and cherishing every moment you have with those important to you. That is my wish. I pray that myself and the world grows closer together and to God. I hope that maybe we can sort of get away from the technology boom that occurred over the past 10 years (Facebook, iPhones, etc.) and start experiencing the "real world" and real human emotions. I hope that our military is kept safe and that a major conflict will delay for at least 10 more years. I hope that good music will continue to be discovered. I hope that no matter the trials we face throughout the next decade, we still understand that it is all part of a bigger plan than we can understand. I hope that the hype of 2012 doesn't tear us all apart. And I hope that our world leaders can guide us through rough times and bring justice around the globe.
Who knows what the next 10 years has in store. Maybe I will finally know what it is I'm supposed to be doing here. Maybe I can love and show compassion like never before. Maybe I will meet THE girl of my dreams.
The next 10 years is gonna be crucial. I encourage everyone to live it and enjoy every second of it. I know I'm gonna try. I hope everyone finds the real joy in life over the next 10 years, whatever that means for you. My expectations are high, I know, but I think its possible.
God bless,
Zach
Saturday, November 7, 2009
you've got to be kidding me!
Yesterday I dropped by a guitar store simply to do some test drives with different amps and guitars. I came across an astonishing revelation: the Squier 50s Classic Vibe Telecaster. I generally am a Squier skeptic (this stems from my past experiences with the brand and the cheaply made/cheaply priced products they put out MOST of the time. But for some reason, this Tele caught my eye with its vintage blonde (almost ghostly) finish and black pickguard, which was a very unorthodox combination in my opinion but I kinda dug it. Then I noticed the price: $350 (for those that do not know, this is rather pricey for a Squier). So I figured "what the heck" and plugged it in to a used Fender Blues Deluxe 40 watt amp. I might be in love. I'm not gonna say anything else...just do yourself a favor and check it out. I think you'll be surprised what you find.
Now, for those reading this and don't know and don't care about guitars, I wasn't talking to yall...this ain't your part of the show. But I like to think I'm clever enough to manipulate this guitar jargon into everyday language so that everyone reading can benefit. So here it goes...
With guitars, as with everything else in this world, price generally determines quality. Everyone knows that. But what few ever realize is that there is always at least one exception to every rule. With this said, we can develop a theory that there are 2 types of people in the world: 1.) Those that have to find out everything for themselves and 2.)Those that let others dictate. We could go all day on this subject but for the sake of time I'll just keep it simple. The latest pop hits on the radio for example. Just because its on the TOP 10 doesn't automatically mean that its good music. Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus is quickly becoming the Princess of Pop, but her music sucks. Foreal, lets be honest...no one really likes that crap...seriously. So why does she seem to be the general consensus of the population? (I don't mean to pinpoint her as the problem, I'm just using her as an example...its generally easier to generalize haha).
So I encourage everyone to get out there and try stuff for yourself. Don't let the mainstream tell you what good music is or what clothes are fashionable. Genuinely "good" products can be found anywhere you look...you just have to make the effort to actually look.
Thanks for playing along,
Zach
Now, for those reading this and don't know and don't care about guitars, I wasn't talking to yall...this ain't your part of the show. But I like to think I'm clever enough to manipulate this guitar jargon into everyday language so that everyone reading can benefit. So here it goes...
With guitars, as with everything else in this world, price generally determines quality. Everyone knows that. But what few ever realize is that there is always at least one exception to every rule. With this said, we can develop a theory that there are 2 types of people in the world: 1.) Those that have to find out everything for themselves and 2.)Those that let others dictate. We could go all day on this subject but for the sake of time I'll just keep it simple. The latest pop hits on the radio for example. Just because its on the TOP 10 doesn't automatically mean that its good music. Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus is quickly becoming the Princess of Pop, but her music sucks. Foreal, lets be honest...no one really likes that crap...seriously. So why does she seem to be the general consensus of the population? (I don't mean to pinpoint her as the problem, I'm just using her as an example...its generally easier to generalize haha).
So I encourage everyone to get out there and try stuff for yourself. Don't let the mainstream tell you what good music is or what clothes are fashionable. Genuinely "good" products can be found anywhere you look...you just have to make the effort to actually look.
Thanks for playing along,
Zach
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time to get serious...
Okay, so let me just start by saying that I'm putting way to much time in on this blog then I need to. I think I just spent 5 hours trying make it look presentable (It still looks like I need an Extreme Blog Makeover however). Let us hope that in the future my dealings with blogging are shorter and sweeter...so that I can spend more time doing important things like reading or taking a stroll through the park (yeah right). Anyway, I'm gonna try and keep these posts fairly basic; not taking too much of your precious time--I know we all are busy. We'll just see how far that goes though. For the most part I created this blog to share my everyday thoughts and experiences: some significant, some not-so-much. But my prayer is that something I write stirs your senses and/or offers new knowledge about myself to you. Thanks for reading.
Zach
Zach
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