Today I Choose

When your dealing with multiple life threatening health issues, each day brings different challenges. Some days those challenges can seem overwhelming. What’s awesome, is each day I am able to choose how I deal with those challenges.

When my crazy beautiful health journey started over 17 years ago, I made the choice to embrace my challenges and really live life. That is not always easy. My body is really not my own anymore. Most of the time my body feels foreign to me. But even in those tough moments, I still get to choose how I deal with this new reality. Do I allow my challenges to consume me or do I choose to overcome those challenges?

If you have followed my story at all, you know the answer to that question. I have made the choice to truly live. Even though it would be easier to sit around and take it easy, I choose to take trips with my beautiful bride and make amazing memories. I choose to use my story to encourage others dealing with their own crazy beautiful journey. Heck, I even chose to write a book. I choose to live a positive life.

I believe my positive outlook on life, has gotten me through some of my toughest days. I believe my days as a long-distance runner, has given me the mental strength to deal with the health struggles I deal with on a daily basis. I know my faith has helped guide me through this crazy beautiful journey. Because I know this journey is only temporary.

Each morning, we choose how we life today. Here are some choices I make daily.

Today, I choose to be a Warrior.

Today, I choose to be an Overcomer.

Today, I choose to Thrive.

Today, I choose to Live. ~OC

July 20, 2019 0

When Life Throws You A Curveball

As I sit in the Infusion Room at Florida Cancer Specialists, I am surrounded by a lot of hurting people. My fellow patients were just living an ordinary life, when life threw them a curveball. Their lives will never be the same. Their family and friends will never be the same.

Life can change in a moment. None of my fellow overcomers were planning to deal with cancer or other health issues they are currently battling. Most were probably going to work everyday and trying to provide for their families. They probably had plans to take vacations and for some others to enjoy retirement. Then life threw them a big curveball. Most probably never saw it coming. I know I didn’t. I wasn’t prepared for my life to dramatically change. I am sure my fellow patients were not prepared for the curveball that came their way.

As I look around this room, I see stories of overcoming. I see people doing everything they can to get their old life back, but embracing their new one. I see some faces that have been on this journey for a long time and I also see people who are just starting the journey. We are all trying to navigate this new reality. Some are doing better than others, but everyone is battling.

As you go through life today, remember everyone is dealing with something. With some, you can see their pain. It is written all over their body. But there are others that the pain is not easily visible. Everyone’s journey looks different. That is why it is so important to treat people with love and respect. To live a life of compassion. Because you never know what curveball has been thrown their way. ~OC

July 19, 2019 0

Silence Is No Longer An Option

This past week, has been a tough one in America. For the last few years, I have kept fairly silent about the things going on in Washington and around our country. I have spent my time praying for this nation and her leaders. I have spoken with some close friends about the issues facing our country. I made the choice not to share my thoughts in a public way. Then the President of the United States decided to comment that four women of color should go back to their country because they have some different beliefs than he does. Then he stood silent at a political rally, while his supporters chanted “Send Her Back.” These comments were directed to four American citizens. Regardless of what you think about their political views, they are American citizens. As Americans, they have the right to their views and should not have to deal with racist comments from the leader of the free world and his supporters. Yes, the comments from the President and the chants of his supporters were racist. A lot of people will disagree with me on this subject, but in my opinion there is no debate.

As I spoke with some of my friends of color this week, they shared that on more than one occasion they have been told to “go back to their country.” Their home country is the United States of America. My friends shared how hurtful these comments made them feel. As a white man in America, no one has ever told me to “Go back to your country.” I do not believe I have ever heard that comment directed towards a white person. That is why I feel the comments by the President and his supporters were racist.

I may not agree with everything the four Congresswomen stand for, but I do stand for their right to say it. That is what America was built on. The freedom of speech and to express your opinions. These four women are elected leaders. If their constituents disagree with their views, they can vote them out. But in America, we should never tell fellow Americans they should go back to their country. They are already living in their country.

I will continue to pray for America and her leaders. I am thankful to live in this beautiful country. With that said, I can no longer stay silent, when I need to speak out. I encourage everyone to pray for this country and our leaders. I also encourage everyone to speak up when needed. I still believe better days are ahead for America. Let us stand together with all of our fellow citizens and demand more from our political leaders. And more importantly, demand more from ourselves. ~OC

July 19, 2019 0

I Refuse To Be Silent

Several people have suggested the reason I am not getting a lot of speaking engagements, is because of the things I share on my blog. They believe my choice of topics scare some people. Some people have suggested I stop sharing controversial topics. What I hear is, stop sharing on thought provoking topics and stick with sweet and positive post. Sorry I cannot do it.

Let me share, that everything that I write is what God has put on my heart. I always pray before I post anything on my blog. Some things I have written will probably never be posted. My intention is never to shock people with my post. I have no desire to be a “Shock Blogger.” Not sure if I just made up a new phrase. No, my desire is to make people think. To encourage people to have real conversations about tough topics. To never be afraid to speak up.

So, I will continue to share what God puts on my heart. If that means people don’t want to hire me to share my journey, that’s okay. I will never stop speaking out on topics that I care about. If you don’t care for my blog post and do not want me speaking to your organization that’s fine. I would probably not be a good fit anyways. I truly believe there are organizations that will welcome me and my crazy beautiful journey. Do not be afraid to reach out. ~OC

July 18, 2019 0

Our Crazy Beautiful Journey

“So Inspiring!”

“I left so encouraged”

“What an amazing journey”

“Laura and Todd’s story will blow you away.”

“Everyone needs to hear Todd and Laura’s crazy beautiful journey.”

These are just a few comments from past speaking engagements. If your organization is looking for a speaker, I hope you will consider Laura West Shoemaker and I.

Check out the video below for part of my story.

https://vimeo.com/313413372

July 16, 2019 0

Racial injustice in America

I am once again writing about racial profiling in America. The only “Crime” these men committed was being African American in America. Sadly, I have posted similar blog post over the last year. A African-American man in Illinois is arrested for stealing medical equipment from a hospital. He was a patient at the hospital just going for a walk. A African-American man in Texas playing with his children is confronted by police after being mistaken for a fugitive. The only thing the two men had in common was they both had dreads. In Ohio, a African American police officer has a gun pulled on him by a white security guard in a IRS office. I am saddened and angry that we continue to deal with racial profiling, racist comments and racism in America. I will continue to pray the following prayer until there is justice for all in America.

Dear God, please be with my brothers and sisters of color. Be with them as they walk down the street, that people will not clutch their purses or bags a little tighter. Praying as they visit a place of business, they will not be hassled. I pray if for some reason they are pulled over by the police, they will be treated with respect. I am saddened that I have to pray this prayer every day for my brothers and sisters of color. I pray that one day, I will wake up and not have to lift this prayer up to you. Until that day comes, I will continue to pray for my brothers and sisters of color. I will continue to listen to their stories of injustice. I will continue to learn how I can help. I will continue to write and speak out against racism in America until there is justice for all. ~OC

July 16, 2019 1

Hello Politicians! Speak Out Against Racist And Hateful Comments

If you turn on the tv or listen to some of our politicians, you will here a lot of racist and hateful comments. This is nothing new in America, but the fact that so many of our leaders are staying silent is very disturbing.

Why does it appear so many politicians are afraid to speak out against racist and hateful comments? Is it fear of retaliation from the leaders within the political party? Are these silent leaders afraid they will lose votes if they speak up? Are they racist? Do they just simply not care? I wish I had some answers to these questions. I really do.

I think it’s a sad state of affairs when elected leaders make the choice to stay silent, as other elected leaders continuously make racist and hateful comments. As voters, we need to demand better from our elected officials. As voters, we need to call, email or visit these leaders when they refuse to speak out against racist and hateful comments. Even if it means speaking out against someone in their own party.

I can promise you, that I will never support any person that spews hateful and racist comments. I will speak out against and write about the wrongs I see. I challenge everyone to step up and speak out against any politician that is sharing racist and hateful ideas. If you don’t, that makes you part of the problem. Remember, as a registered voter you have the chance to make a difference by voting. ~OC

July 15, 2019 0

Dear Christians

Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters,

I am concerned about the current state of America. If you are not, I am scared for you. The last several years, I have been asking myself the following questions. Now I will ask you the questions that have been haunting me for the past several years.

Are you more concerned about your serving a political party or serving others?

Are you more concerned about worshiping a President or worshipping Jesus?

Are you more concerned about loving your your political party or actually loving people? All people.

Who will you serve? Your political party or Jesus?

Dear Christians, I pray you will take more time searching your heart concerning these questions and less time attacking me. But if you choose to attack me that’s okay. I am a big boy. ~OC

July 15, 2019 0

Jesus, Politics and Church

Welcome to Sunday. Like many other people around the world, I will be attending church this morning. It is one of the highlights of my week. I love the worship, the message and the interaction with my church family. The one thing I do not enjoy is when the conversations turn to politics. I did not come to church for a political rally. No, I came to worship and learn more about Jesus.

I bring this up because the political season is starting to heat up. The political conversations have started. Even in church. Heck, you can’t even go to a prayer meeting without someone bringing up their like or dislike for a certain party or politician.

I know this will come as a shock to some, but Jesus doesn’t belong to a political party. I know some people will argue that point, but I still haven’t found any scripture where Jesus talks about living in a Red or Blue State. No, I truly believe Jesus wants us to be more concerned about the gospel and less concerned about politics. I believe Jesus is more concerned about how we treat everyone (regardless of where they come from), than He is about what party name is on our voter registration card.

I think places of worship need to be careful navigating through the political seas. People who need Jesus come from all political and social backgrounds. The church should not be a barrier to the gospel. So pastors and leaders need to make sure all are welcome regardless of what side of the political arena they come from. Church should be a safe place for all. A place that is more concerned about the gospel that who is in the White House.

On a side note, if your church is praying for the current President, I hope you prayed for the previous President and will pray for the next President regardless of what party they come from. ~OC

July 14, 2019 0