My goal with this blog is to share stories/videos poems, songs, and my personal experiences that inspire and relate to my readers and help them through tough situations because no matter what they might think, they are never alone. My other goal is just to make their day a little bit brighter however I can.
Hello beautiful people,
I am writing this to you having just got home from yet another family gathering and I just wanted to take this time to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Life is difficult, life is bittersweet so if you celebrate Christmas or any other Holiday during this month, take a look around. Breathe it in, the smell of food, the noise, and the chatter. Put a little more love and laughter in the air today and allow yourself to feel it for no matter what struggles you are facing at the moment, it is always good and important to know how much love you have given others and how much you are loved back.
Today is Christmas Eve, and for most, it is supposed to be a time of joy but as I was scrolling through my Facebook a couple weeks ago, I came across this post from that of a friend shared and I felt compelled to share it with all of you as well. For every holiday season is different for everyone and it is for those who do not feel so merry and bright during this time of year that I dedicate this to, for as John says, "You are loved."
Today is the day we thank our veterans for their bravery and service to our country. So Thank you for all you do to protect us and I mean this with all my heart. But in all honesty, this is just a standard classic phrase everyone says to every veteran they meet, so let's get real...
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a soldier? What it is like to be deployed away from your family, to be in a foreign lands you know nothing about? To have to come back and adjust to your everyday life and somehow, somewhat act as if nothing's happened and you still are the same person you were before, trying to live with the gruesome pictures you saw that really brought home the reality of war? What in the world made them want to go fight in the war in the first place? What exactly they want to hear and asked when they return home from duty and what it means to them? I do, and I know I am not alone so listen up as this veteran answers these questions and more and learn the REAL truth behind a solider. It will be one of the most surprising, enlightening, most profound, and life-changing video and speeches you'll ever see or hear so even though it may be a little long, I can promise that it is worth it, up until the very end.
I've also thought it would be nice to share with you in celebration of all soldiers, the moments that probably means the most to them: Their Homecomings!!!! Read and see some below.
This little girl got to sing and meet country music superstar Carrie Underwood and you'll understand why in a minute.Watch this music video and their performance together below it, to get the full story.
I recently got to be interviewed by Maya Lemaire from Powered Crowd as part of her Another Walk Of Life segment! We discussed life with a disability, its misconceptions, how I define it, and the best advice I've ever received. Read it below: My Powered Crowd Interview
As most of you know, today is the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the world trade center in New York City and Pentagon in Washington. Almost 3000 innocent lives were lost that day. Most of who were just living their day-to-lives, going in for a routine day of work at the office, and boarding flights. Never imagining that the worse was yet to come, never picturing the tragic events that unfolded before them that now remain engraved in our hearts and minds, changing the way we think, act, and feel about our world forever.
I have no doubt that there are some of you out there who are thinking to yourself. "Oh great it's 9/11, cue the tribute posts on all social media and you are just sick and tired of it all right? Or perhaps you are one of the children of the victims who were left behind and you are afraid this event on this day is now all that defines you.
To the people that are sick of all those posts: I understand your frustration and it is perfectly fine that you feel that way but just remember that those innocent people all were loved by someone, all had families they left behind. They were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, husbands, and wives, and friends. Some who gave up their lives, rushing in to try and save the lives of strangers. Some of who we may or may not ever get to know the names or stories of. But even so, it is important that we remember because as one very wise history teacher once told me, history ALWAYS repeats itself so the more knowledgeable we are about it, the more we can learn from it, the better we can protect and prevent ourselves from ever letting something this tragic happen again. Letting people know that even when a disaster strikes we are always ready and willing to come together and unite to help each other because there is ALWAYS good people in this world, you just have to look for them.
To all those left behind: This day and this horrible event is just a very small part of who you are, not all of who you are, remember that. Yes, to a lot of people you may still be known as the "Children Of 9/11" and I do not claim to know or even begin to understand the sadness, pain, or loss that you feel or go through and I'm really sorry that you even have to feel those things, but WHO CARES what other people have to say. Don't let it define you, because the moment you do then those who doubted you, have won. You have so much promise, possibilities, and so many amazing things to offer this world, so work hard and do the best you can in everything you do and make your loved ones you lost on that day proud because that is the best way I feel, to honor their life, loss, and memory.
I'm sure all of us can remember when, where, and what we were doing on that tragic day. Well, I was six in kindergarten so I don't remember much but for me it was just a regular day at school. My teacher did not try to stop and talk or show us what was going on, I mean not that I would've understood it at all anyway. But I remember coming come that day and seeing my dad on the couch recording news coverage of the attacks, seeing one plane crash in the Twin Towers. I remember thinking of how this couldn't be real. I thought for sure my dad was just watching a movie with war and fighting because besides wrestling, those were the only two other things that he enjoyed watching on television, so I didn't think much of it. If only I knew how much that image I saw on that little screen would change and impact our world forever.
Here is just a little look at all the horror that unfolded that day.
But as horrible as that day was, there is now hope built in its place with a beautiful memorial.
And now museum reminding us not only of these events but how different and carefree life once was and how it has all changed since then, all captured in this unique time capsule.
Hey Guys!
I just wanted to let you know I will be gone for a while fixing up this blog to be compatible with the GDPR laws, which for my European Union visitors means more transparency for you guys making this blog better and bigger for you guys, knowing how we process and store your data. And I promise I will be back soon. Please be patient with me as I figure this out. Thank you for all your support.
Until we meet again,
Mao
