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Love Them

When someone looks different than you. Love them.

When someone has a different faith than you. Love them.

When someone speaks a different language. Love them.

When someone comes from a different country.Love them.

When someone has different political believes. Love them.

When someone has a different opinion. Love them.

When people make mistakes. Love them.~OC

Beautiful Journey

This crazy beautiful health journey has had so many positive moments. The chance to share how my faith has helped me through the tough days. Reconnecting with old friends and building new friendships. Humbled that my journey has inspired others. So many lessons learned. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel incredibly privileged to be on this journey. Seeing how God can use something like my health journey for so many positive things is just… overwhelming. ~OC

Live Life

Good morning! Several people have wondered out loud, if I should be making all these trips with my failing health. I appreciate their concerns. I truly do. On paper making these trips are not the wisest choices. I get all of that. But, when I see the excitement in Laura’s eyes and the smile on her face, it makes all the sense in the world. When I got sick 17 years ago, Laura and I made a vow to never allow my health to keep us from living. I can honestly say we have kept that vow. Plus, this trip is also about celebrating 20 years of marriage in September. So, I will continue to make beautiful memories with my bride while I can. I encourage everyone to truly live life. Do not wait for the perfect time, because the perfect time is now. Embrace every minute of it. ~OC

Grateful For True Friendships

Today’s a new day! True friendship is not about being there when it’s convenient; it’s about being there when it’s not. I am grateful for the true friends who continue stick by me during this crazy beautiful health journey. ~OC

The Road

Today’s a new day! My health journey has taken me down many winding roads. At times the road has been muddy and tough to travel. There have been many hazard signs to navigate. This journey has not been easy and continues to take me down roads I would not have chosen to travel. But this journey is really not about me. This is a journey God has placed me on. A journey I embrace daily, because of the lessons learned. The memories made. I did not choose this crazy beautiful journey, but I am excited to see where it takes me. I encourage you to embrace the journey God has you on. I hope to see you along the way. God Bless. ~OC

I Need Your Help

Good morning family and friends. I need a favor. Today is both National Chocolate Ice Cream Day and National Doughnut Day. Since I am no longer able to eat or drink, I need you to step up and enjoy the day for me. Who’s up for the challenge? Have a wonderful and blessed day. ~OC

Sports Fans Are Funny

If you know me, you know I love sports. I cannot remember a time that I did not love sports. I grew up playing and watching sports. I have my favorite teams and players. My favorite players and teams are my favorites, whether they win or lose. They are never too good or too bad for me to root for them. That’s why I find it funny, when some sports fans start hating on a player or team because they have become too good.

I remember when Michael Jordan first came into the NBA. Everyone loved him. He could do no wrong. Then the Chicago Bulls and Mr. Jordan became beyond great and a good majority of people hated them both. The only reason for the hate was because the Bulls and MJ kept winning championships.

The same thing happened with LeBron James. Of course there was that “Decision” deal and everyone hated LeBron. Let it go people. Here is a man who has given a large amount of money to help disadvantaged children in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Last year he started a school that is making a huge difference in the lives of many. Mr. James biggest mistake was becoming too good. Some fans will spend hours arguing who is greater, Jordan or LeBron? Who cares? Just enjoy LeBron while you can.

Now the in thing is to hate on the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry. Why? Because they have gotten too good. Fans will say it’s because the Warriors are a “Super Team” and they don’t like Mr. Curry doing that shimmy dance after scoring a basket. Of course, those are the same people who dance and talk trash during a pickup game at the local gym. Let’s just enjoy watching the Warriors and Mr. Curry while the journey last.

As a sports fan, I enjoy watching greatness. I don’t care what team or player it is. I love watching athletes and teams achieve greatness. Of course, I would love for my favorite teams to win and achieve greatness. I am a fan after all. But I refuse to be that fan. The one who hates on another teams or player when they achieve greatness. I will root against them when they’re playing my teams, but I will not hate them.

So sports fans, keep rooting for your teams and favorite players. Feel free to boo the other team if you want. But instead of hating on a team or player because they have become too good, just enjoy the greatness while it last. Remember, one year your favorite team or player may achieve greatness. What will you do then? ~OC

Some of My Favorites

Some of my favorites:

Team:

Cincinnati Reds

Boston Celtics

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Florida Gators

Players:

Baseball: Johnny Bench

Basketball: Larry Bird

Football: Lee Roy Selmon & Derrick Brooks

Florida Gators: Al Horford, Danny Wuerffel & Tim Tebow

Coach: Tony Dungy

Movies:

Hoosiers

Selma

Brian’s Song (The Original)

12 Years a Slave

Woodlawn

Remember the Titans

Doc Hollywood

Facing the Giants

13th

America History

Any Jimmy Stewart Film

Music:

Kirk Franklin

U2

Michael Jackson

Prince

TobyMac

DC Talk

Bruce Springsteen

George Michael

Bee Gees

4Him

Queen

Elton John

Alisa Turner

Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Anthony Evans

Run-DMC

Lecrae

FC Worship

Lionel Richie

The Commodores

Stevie Wonder

Rod Stewart

Kenny Chesney

Truth

Michael English

Proverb

Kim Walker-Smith

Harry Connick Jr.

Michael Neale

Tenth Avenue North

Jeremy Camp

Journey

Earth, Wind & Fire

Hall & Oates

Def Leppard

Hillsong United

Jackson 5

Luther Vandross

Whitney Houston

Adele

Books:

Bible

America Story by Bob Dotson

The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs

Moment Make by Carlos Whittaker

Under Our Skin by Benjamin Watson

Just Mercy Bryan Stevenson

Unscripted by Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Living Out Loud by Craig Sager

I’ll Push You by Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray

Breaking Cover by Michele Rigby Assad

Love Does by Bob Goff

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Radical by David Platt

Transformed by Remi Adeleke

Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Drop the Stones by Carlos A. Rodríguez

Brave Surrender by Kim Walker-Smith

Comeback by Dave Dravecky

When You Can’t Comeback by Dave & Jan Dravecky

Quite Strength by Tony Dungy

Separate Peace by John Knowles

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Believe by Eric LeGrand

Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox

Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox

God & Football by Chad Gibbs

The Pact:Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt

Vulnerable by Raleigh Sadler

This Life I Live by Rory Feek

42 Faith by Ed Henry

The Slave Across the Street by Theresa Flores

Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes

Long Run by Matt Long

Forty Thousand To One by Ben Petrick

The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose

When The Game Was Ours by Jackie MacMullan

Catch You Later by Johnny Bench

Love Thy Rival by Chad Gibbs

This is just a short list of my favorites. I could go on for days. ~OC

Thriving with Chronic Illnesses

During my 17-year plus crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned many lessons. Here are just a few:

1). Embracing Relationships That Matter.

Want to find out who your true friends are? Let life throw you for a loop and you will quickly find out.

During this journey, many friends who I thought would stand with me walked away. I must admit that hurt. But, instead of dwelling on those friends that walked out, I decided to celebrate those that have stuck around through the best and worst of times. I am forever grateful for each and everyone of them.

2). Laugh And Then Laugh Some More.

My wife and I have learned the power of laughter during the darkest times. Our dark humor has helped us deal with some of the toughest moments in this crazy beautiful journey.

Even during the worst days, when my medical team has stated they have no idea what is going on with my body. Or when they wonder out loud, how are you still alive? We still laugh.

Sometimes it comes down to, if we don’t laugh about the situation we might go hide in a dark place. Who wants to deal with that scenario?

3). Be Your Own Advocate.

During the early days of my health journey, Laura and I depended on my medical team. Hey, their the experts. They know best. Wrong!

After some of my doctors refused to listen to us, Laura and I learned we needed to take charge of my healthcare. If not, some of our former doctors would have ended up killing me. That’s not a joke.

It is vital to stand up for yourself and take charge of your healthcare needs. If you are not able to do it yourself, please have a team of advocates around you. They could save your life.

Never be afraid to ask questions. Listen to your gut. Never be afraid to fire your medical team.

4). Keep Living Life.

Do not allow a bad diagnosis to keep you from living your life. I mean truly living life.

Stop putting things off until you get better. Guess what? You may never get better. So take that trip. Take that class you always wanted to. Call that friend who’s been on your mind.

Do not get so caught up in your health journey, that you forget to embrace the beautiful moments of life. The truth is, we only get one shot at life. Don’t waste a minute. ~OC

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