Things I Used To Believe....

[azskyman]

No sense in arguing in this post. I used to believe in Santa Claus. I still do. Reliable sources confirm. Please don't argue it here.

But I used to believe some wierd things when I was much much younger.

... I used to believe that while small planes banked when they turned, jets didn't have to. They stayed level when they turned. Nope, doesn't happen that way.

...I used to believe that you couldn't breathe at all if you went to the top of a mountain....even here in the United States. I tried it and survived to tell this story.

...I used to believe smoking made you older than you were. It still does.

...I used to believe that a clean fast car would attract the cutest girls. It is the wallet that carries your license that attracts them instead.

...I used to believe that age 57 was older than dirt. I now realize it takes that long to figure out where the starting gate really is.

...I used to believe that taking a trip was all about getting to Disney World. Now I realize that how I get there is what makes it special.

...I used to believe my mom's side of the family (her 10 brothers and sisters) had virtually no faults. Now that they are all gone, all 11 of them, I've learned they were flawed and human and now the source of great stories among my remaining cousins.

...I used to believe red cars were faster. Now I realize they are just easier for the police to spot and catch.

...I used to believe I could never speak in public. I've spoken before crowds as large as 3,000....without even wearing a Depends!

...I used to believe I could raise my kids without making the same mistakes that others around me do. I did. I made a whole new set of mistakes unique to them and only them.

...I used to believe I would retire when I was 50. I instead discovered that I simply retire when I go to bed after work.

...I used to believe I could plan and control my life and the people in it. I now realize I can't control diddly. Except for how I react to it all.

...I used to believe the holiday season was special. I still try very hard to keep it that way.

and do you have any things you used to believe?

[streetsoldier]

Steve, you captured all of mine except ONE...

I used to believe that I could make a difference in this world; now, I have to accept that I haven't...couldn't...and no single person (human, that is) can.

[opera ghost]

Steve, you captured all of mine except ONE...

I used to believe that I could make a difference in this world; now, I have to accept that I haven't...couldn't...and no single person (human, that is) can.

Loren Eisley tells the story of a writer who is vacationing in a hotel on the coast and decides to take a break from his work by strolling along the sandy beach. In the distance, he spies a person whom he believes, at the time, is dancing, and is so intrigued he investigates further. As he approaches the "dancer", he realizes it is a young man and he is not dancing, but throwing objects from the beach into the ocean. He gets closer still and discovers that the man is picking up starfish from the beach, where thousands have been stranded by low tide, and is throwing them back, one by one, into the ocean.
The writer asks the man why he is undertaking such a task, and the man replies that if he does not, the starfish will certainly die.

At this, the writer scoffs and informs the man that there are miles and miles of beach and tens of thousands of starfish and he can't possibly believe that what he is doing will make a difference.

The young man pauses and gives thought to this observation. Then, picking up another starfish from the beach, he tells the writer as he throws it back into the water...

"It makes a difference to this one."

from The Animals' Voice Magazine

[opera ghost]

I believed that if I tried hard enough I could persuade anyone to at least take a peek at the world through my eyes- to try to understand. I realized that it doesn't matter if they understand or not... and the vast majority of people will never even try. That doesn't mean I've stopped trying to make them

I believed that as long as I was surrounded by people- I would never be alone.

And I believed that you really could fall out of love someday. I got wise and realized no matter how much I dislike a person I've loved- I can't jsut stop loving them. It's a very nice observation.

Oh, and I believed that every sentance had to begin with the space of two fingers between the period of the last word and the beginning of the first word. Computers taught me differently

[streetsoldier]

You just don't "get it", opera ghost.

I've been many things over the years...USAF, STL police officer, artist/designer/illustrator/thespian/musician, SAR team commander, BSA Commissioner, and a host of other civic/fraternal/charitable duties.

For some time now, I've been relegated to a reclusive existence, punctuated only by the "tap-tap-tap" of the keys by which I reach out from my "four walls" through the magic of cyberspace...and an occasional visit to see one of my MDs, or the pharmacy.

What I once did effortlessly, is now impossible...and I have no inkling of just how my experience, education, or "world wisdom" has any positive, beneficial effect on anyone, since I've lost the ability to go to those who'd most benefit.

THIS, OG, is my "window on the world"...for all the good it does anyone.

[Arizwx]

Steve, you captured all of mine except ONE...

I used to believe that I could make a difference in this world; now, I have to accept that I haven't...couldn't...and no single person (human, that is) can.

I beg to differ sir:
YOU have made a huge difference in my life..as have azsnowman,azsky,S Bieda...raine, and a host of others.
You have NO IDEA of the commraderie and respect I have for you...and I truly thank you.
Vaya Con Dios,
D.J.

"...I used to believe that a hole...a Void would eternally be with me since my marriage ended.I have found that to be only partially true...yet the best I believe is YET to be revealed."
D.J.

[opera ghost]

Glass half full or half empty. I'm in a phase in my life where the glass is always half full. It's irritating to others as well so you shouldn't feel lonely

The world wouldn't be quite as interesting and rounded without your voice and experiences there. That makes a difference to me... If only because I've never had/never will have half of the experiences you've had in your life- and the only way I'd ever be able to learn about how you see the world is by talking to you. Which makes this inherently something that we probably won't agree on- see my first comment about things I no longer believe. At least you guys give it a shot. But understanding anyone over the internet is like being locked in a dark room with a wallaby and one hand tied behind your back and trying to understand what you were locked in with. Broadband is a cold comfort- but we are people on the other end of the connection.

[streetsoldier]

One MORE reason to host a Storm2K Convention in sunny, fun-filled and centrally-located Cape Girardeau, MO, y'think??

[azsnowman]

Steve, you captured all of mine except ONE...

I used to believe that I could make a difference in this world; now, I have to accept that I haven't...couldn't...and no single person (human, that is) can.

I beg to differ sir:
YOU have made a huge difference in my life..as have azsnowman,azsky,S Bieda...raine, and a host of others.
You have NO IDEA of the commraderie and respect I have for you...and I truly thank you.
Vaya Con Dios,
D.J.



BUT.........most important, your son Kevin Trust me on this one, in just the short 2 years I've known you via phone conversations etc, I've seen a HUGE change in Kevin, his grades etc, etc, etc, etc.......shall I go on??

DANG Steve, why do post these kinda threads?? It makes my HEAD HURT "ROFLMAO!" Seriously, GREAT THREAD.......I'll post more when my head quits hurtin' from ALL the remembering I have to do "LOL!"

Dennis

[azskyman]

I used to believe I could not make a difference...DID not make a difference. Still, I discovered when I combined who I am with a passion for whatever it was I was doing, I could, and did, make a difference.

I noticed it in subtle ways sometimes. And not so subtle others.

Like the time I wrote an article for the local newspaper...about the topic of "seeing life's gifts" as opposed to simply "passing through life while waiting for something good to come your way."

A few days later, a letter came in the mail (before e-mail was the standard) from our pastor. On one side of a piece of paper, in a handwritten note of perhaps four or five sentences, was a thank you and the words, "Steve, you speak to me....in ways that few others have, and I thank you for sharing that gift."

What gift, I thought. I just put on paper what comes naturally inside. How hard was that, I thought!

But over the years I have come to realize I have a gift of sorts where the impact is measured in smiles and quiet tones...not splashes and colors and in boisterous tones.

I used to believe that the internet would never allow me to know, really know, people who passed through it with me. But now I know, Bill, that you and other like you HAVE proven me wrong. And you continue to make a difference with not only me, but others as well.

Opera Ghost....your own soul speaks to me as well. And I thank you for that.

DJ...what wonders await you...await us all, is part of the reason we get up each day. I am happy for you, my friend.

...oh, and Dennis, never underestimate the strength of the umbrella you have placed, and continue to guard, right here at Storm2k.

I used to believe you had to go outside to feel the sunshine. Not necessarily.

[stormraiser]

On the lighter side, growing up in rural Southern Maryland, I used to think that if you travelled west of West Virginia, you would fall off the face of the earth. I have been to Warsaw, Missouri and KC and have survived. :rolleyes:

[raine]

I used to believe that to hope to have a dream or dreams come true was pipe dreaming, wishful thinking....now I know differently.

I used to believe that I was destined to take the road of my parents...that true happiness and love would forever elude me....happy am I to know that their destiny, their road is not my road.

I used to think that a grilled cheese sandwich was gross, now I can't eat enough of them.

I too used to think I did not make a difference in the world, now I know that indeed I do make a difference, the size of the difference does not matter,only that we love our neighbor as our selves and try each day to make another smile, feel loved, wanted, safe, secure, encouraged....


Cap'n....tho' you are stuck behind your walls, know that thru your writings, you do make a difference.Is it the way you would want to make a difference?Probally not.But the important thing is not how we make a difference....only that we do make a difference....fella you do, you do make a difference

DJ....may what is yet to come to you be more then your heart has ever thought possible, may it exceed your wildest dreams,may that void be filled every day with love, peace, patience..until your cup runs over with joy....God Bless you fella


I used to believe that no one could understand my fears, my concerns, my heart aches...now I know that under the umbrella of friendship, I am understood and not alone.

Opera....your words speak to my heart and echo my own thoughts and feelings...half full, always half full..

Blessings, Raine

[mf_dolphin]

If you don't believe that Santa exists, look into the eyes of a small child on Christmas morning...you'll believe

To all, please understand that you do make a difference everyday! The choice we have is whether that's a difference for the good or not. Sometimes all it takes is a warm smile, a hug, or just telling someone that they did a good job. The small things in life are so very important. Remember to drag yourself and others up through the muck of the day and we'll all have a lighter step as we head down life's road!

[ColdFront77]

Exactly right, Marshall. I always think that what ever is brought up for conversation (in my case online, mainly here at Storm2K) is important in different degrees no matter how insignficant they may be.

[BEER980]

I know I have made a huge difference in many people's lives. I think we all go through phases in life where we make a difference. I gave 6 years of my life as a firefighter/emt. I made it possible for many people to come back from certain death and in fact many were dead. Now for what I used to believe, I am not sure about that anymore.