Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Unreasonable Man: Memorial Day 2001
George Bernard Shaw wrote, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
I’ve always been a bit of a trend bucker. I don’t often “go through the motions.” I rarely take no for an answer. I love proving people wrong when they tell me I can’t accomplish something. This is the first in a series of memories about myself in moments as the unreasonable man:
Memorial Day 2001 – George Bush was coming to town for the Memorial Day holiday. At the time, I was enrolled in an AP Government course at Mountain View High School in Mesa, AZ. I had a burning passion for politics and really wanted to hear the President speak. I told my father that I wanted to attend. He indicated that it would be nearly impossible for me to get in to the speech as only 2,000 tickets would be issued and that those would be reserved for local dignitaries.
When someone tells me that I can’t, sometimes I feel compelled to prove him or her wrong. I set out on a journey to come up with tickets. I’ll spare you the details of making it happen, but with a few phone calls to my congressmen, I had 10 tickets reserved for the event. I made arrangements and spread the word to friends. Before we had finished, we had secured over 100 of the 2,000 tickets to the speech. The unreasonable man never stops believing that he can.
Of course, for the reasonable man, the story might end there. But no, I was determined to be the unreasonable man. As the speech concluded, I quickly made my way to the front of the crowd. I wanted to shake the President’s hand. Plus, if I could accomplish one small task, I knew how to blow Mr. Good’s (my AP Government teacher’s) mind. Just as President Bush was leaving the platform, I reached the front and reached out my hand and got a quick handshake. I asked him a small favor. He smiled and agreed. I walked toward the exit a happy man having heard the President of the United States speak, having shook his hand, and having had him sign my pocket edition of The Constitution of the United States of America.
Again the reasonable man would have left satisfied. I was actually feeling quite reasonable at the moment, but as I was preparing to leave, a reporter with the East Valley Tribune noticed my shirt. It was a plain white T-shirt with an iron-on transfer on the back. The text read, “Shill and Bodine, Whitehouse in 2020” superimposed on a picture of the White House I had downloaded from whitehouse.gov. Before long, we had scheduled an in my AP Government classroom. On the morning of high-school graduation (about a week later) the story ran in the East Valley Tribune.
Seeing my picture on the front page of the newspaper next to the headline “Grad Aims for the White House” gave me a sense that I really could make a difference. In the article, Tyler Bodine, my vice presidential running mate, and I shared our planned run for the Presidency in 2020 (the first election for which I will be eligible to be President).
Only time will tell how unreasonable I will be. Will I actually run? There are plenty of twists and turns ahead in life, and I haven’t ruled it out. Our nation needs strong, moral leaders who are willing to stand up for the principles of righteousness. Whether from the White House or my local community, I will be one of those thought and opinion leaders. I will be the unreasonable man.
Friday, August 7, 2009
When Parents Don't Wait Up
I was talking with a close friend this morning about parents and waiting up for teenagers at night. As much as it drives you nuts as a teenager, I appreciate that my parents cared enough to wait up for me when I was younger. As much as I pretended that I didn’t want to share what had happened on my date or with the boys, it was secretly my favorite part of the evening.
As we got older and more responsible, my parents became a bit more trusting and told us they were going to sleep at a decent hour. They asked us the courtesy of waking them to let them know when we were in safely for the night. I learned a few things from this transition, which I’ll share with you here:
- Parents don’t remember things that happen while they’re sleeping—I was pleased with the newfound freedom my parents had offered me. I was thrilled to be trusted and to be a little more grown up. That said it wasn’t a perfect system. I can’t even count the number of times that my parents would ask me why I hadn’t come in the night before to tell them I was home. Even though they didn’t remember, I respected them enough to keep trying until one night…
- Parental bedrooms are dark late at night—I came home from a date one evening and tiptoed in to my parents’ bedroom, being cautious not to wake them. As I approached my father and reached out to let him know I was home, he became startled and jumped out of bed lunging forward at me. I’m not sure what he was dreaming about, but he thought I was an intruder. Being under friendly fire, I retreated quickly. With my heart rushing, my lungs heaving and fear (and maybe a tear or two) in my eyes, I tried to convince him of my identity.
In the midst of the panic, I learned a few important lessons that night. I learned first hand what it means for a father to protect his wife and children. I understood on a little deeper level how much my father cared for us. He was willing to risk himself in hand-to-hand combat to protect us (though I have this distant memory of him grabbing something to swing...maybe I’ve fantasized this part). I am deeply appreciative to my father for the protection he has provided to me over the years: spiritual, temporal, emotional and physical.
I also gained a deeper understanding for parents and how much they care about us kids. Parents want to know where we are because they care, not because they don’t trust. Today, I’m all grown up, but I still send them all of my flight plans before I head to the airport. I still text them when I take off and when I land (and when I make it home from a late night drive back from the airport). They still call me along the way when I’m driving out of town. It’s probably a little silly. We don’t even live in the same state. But I love my parents. I feel safe knowing that someone wants to know, that someone cares. That’s something I’ll never miss, even when my parents don’t wait up.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Closed Windows of Opportunity
Years ago, while listening to general conference, I heard something that piqued my interest. I’ve spent hours searching for the quote to include the reference here. I can’t seem to find it. If anyone knows which talk it is from, please post the link in the comments.
The quote was simple, yet teaches a profound principle: God gives us windows of opportunity in our lives. Though open for varying amounts of time, they are open only briefly. If we wait too long or fail to notice these opportunities, they close forever and become opportunities missed.
As I pondered his words, I thought of the many opportunities I’ve missed because I was unprepared, unwilling, slow to act or just not paying attention. I realized that so many of my successes resulted from jumping when the opportunity was right. I set out on a journey to make conscious decisions about the opportunities that would come my way for the rest of my life.
I would no longer live passively, choosing opportunities by my level of interest and excitement, but instead that I would look for windows of opportunity that, regardless of difficulty, would be of greatest value in my life and the lives of those around me.
I don’t miss as many opportunities today as I have in the past. They still slip by sometimes, and often I choose to let them go. I will be forever grateful for these words that helped me realize that life is the sum total of the experiences I choose to have, not just those that come to me.
Tonight I share a couple of the more humorous windows of opportunity from my life, windows that are closed forever:
7th Grade Choir
I’ve always been a bit of an over achiever. The word advanced in front of a course name really got me excited (though later I would learn that doesn’t always mean more challenging). When I completed the registration process at Stapley Junior High in Mesa, AZ, the registrars had failed to place me in the advanced English course I had requested. A quick phone call and it was resolved, or so I thought.
As I arrived to 5th period I realized that the registrar had made another horrible mistake. She had placed me in the girls’ choir! After a quick trip to her office, I found out it was no mistake. The only way for me to take choir and advanced English was to participate in 5th period girls choir.
As a 12 year old, I didn’t quite know what to do. Mrs. Colburn offered to allow me to stay as the choir pianist and was certain that we could find a way for me to fit into the group (I think that was a gentle way of saying that my voice hadn’t dropped yet). I decided to continue studying the trumpet instead (maybe this was a good decision…brass players make great kissers). I had a great year in band and formed many lifelong acquaintances, but I missed what today I would consider the opportunity of a lifetime. 1 class. 1 year. 135 girls and me.
WINDOW CLOSED!
Kendra
One day in college I had gone to visit a good friend, and while I was at his apartment I met one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. It turned out she was visiting from Colorado so if I was going to make something happen. I mustered all the magic within me and somehow managed to be on a walk with this girl, holding hands only a couple hours later. At this point, I was still VL (virgin lips), so I didn’t have much of a game plan after that. I was satisfied.
As our discussion progressed, it became necessary for me to illustrate a specific point. I don’t remember what that point was, but I remember how I was trying to illustrate it. I asked Kendra what she would do if I were to kiss her right then, fully expecting her to give a typical BYU response for someone I had met only a few hours before (don’t you dare, I wouldn’t let you, etc.). Instead, Kendra said, “You can if you want to.”
Remember, we are talking about one of the most attractive I have ever seen. I was so distracted by the point I was trying to illustrate, that I missed the point of what she had just said. I responded, “Kendra, that’s not my point. Can we please focus?”
No, I didn’t end up getting the message in time. The relationship lasted long distance for about a week. What can I say?
WINDOW CLOSED!
I have more where these came from. It seems there is no shortage, but I figure I need to end now so you’ll stay interested long enough to read to the end. I’ll share more in the future. For now, remember to look at the windows of opportunity in your life, evaluate them, and take advantage of the ones that would be of greatest value to you.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
In God We Trusted
In God We Trusted
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator . . .” reads the Declaration of Independence. When the Founding Fathers created this fundamental document, they did not intend to eliminate God from government, but to keep religion from oppressing the nation. Today’s diverse society must question the use of trust in God as a founding principle.
Those who challenge religious actions within our government argue that prayer should not be allowed in schools because not all children are raised with a belief in God. Due to the wide variety of religions in our nation children pray in a variety of ways and to “different gods,” if at all. Prayer in schools may force children to worship a higher power, in which they do not believe.
These same groups also oppose any action or object that promotes trust in God. The Pledge of Allegiance, like prayer, forces children and teachers to honor the “God” of our nation. American currency represents our nation. By printing the words “In God we Trust” on our currency, we send a false message to the world that all Americans believe in God. For this same reason the Ten Commandments are being removed from public properties across the nation.
Although these arguments have value, they discriminate against the majority of Americans. In fact less than 1% of Americans claim to be “positively atheist.”[i] Our county must not allow the vocal few to change the religious, founding principals of this great nation.
Mr. T. Cushing, a representative from Massachusetts, proposed that the Inaugural Congress begin each meeting with prayer. John Rutledge and John Jay opposed the idea, but only because the members of Congress did not share the same religious beliefs. Samuel Adams countered, "I am no bigot. I can hear a prayer from a man of piety and virtue, who is at the same time a friend to his country;" From that day forward the Congress of the United States has begun each session with prayer.[ii]
George Washington, the first president of the United States proclaimed, “I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; . . . to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.” With this statement President Washington expressed the intention of our Founding Fathers to create a nation with a principal fabric of trust in God, where diverse religious beliefs could be shared, expressed and appreciated.
The foundation of trust in God, upon which our nation was built, today is challenged in our schools, in the courts, and in the view of the general public by faithless political organizations. This lack of acceptance and tolerance destroys our nation’s unity. Although many think that completely removing God from government eliminates intolerance, the opposite occurs.
As intolerance spreads throughout the nation, it is destroying the foundation that our nation was built upon, a trust in God. As tragedies affect all aspects of our nation and the world, we must realize that we have moved our nation from the sure foundation whereon it once was built; once, when in God we trusted.
[ii] George Bancroft, History of the United States, vol.4, chapter 4: "The First American Congress, September-October 1774," pp.64-65
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Posting again....
Alright....I'm back on board...I've been gone for almost a year, but get ready....the Ottozone is back! You'll see some amazing posts here! I guess I'll leave that for you to decide. I look forward to sharing with you and hearing your comments.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
We The People
Every American needs to take a few moments to view the first video to the right. It is a five minute clip from Glen Beck's address to Freedom Festival 2008. We all need to understand, as he says, that the answer was given to us by the Founding Fathers, "We The People..."
Friendship, and Enduring Education in Life
I've spent a long time on earth. At least a fourth, if not a third of my life . . . maybe more. I've experienced a lot of things, visited many places, met many people. I've had friendships that lasted for just a few hours while I sat on an airplane, and I have friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Certainly, maintaining a friendship with everyone we ever meet is impractical. We simply don't have time to develop a deep reletionship with everyone we know. However, we must take the time to develop this relationship with some of the people we know. Those we hold closest and dearest will be pillars of strength in time of need. They will draw from our strength as they struggle. We will enrich each others' lives as we work together toward our respective goals.
In today's entry, I wish to honor some of my great friends and the things I have learned from them.
I have always known a great number of people. Many of whom were friends. one group in particular that I remember were the neighborhood kids with whom I played street hockey. Every night we would strap on our roller blades and pull out the saw horses. We'd pass the ball around and strive to score. We taught each other teamwork. We taught each other how to enjoy. Without knowning it we taught each other the benefits of physical exercise and the joys of belonging to a group. The faces in this group changed from time to time, but the group and what it did for me did not change.
In Junior High School, Scott Jaffa and I started the "Model Rocket Club." We were a bit more interested in science and education than our counterparts on the sports teams. We both served on the student council. I was (and remain) a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a Mormon). We were the predominant religion in my community. About half of the students at my school attended seminary. Scott was Jewish. I had previously experienced friendships with those of a different faith, but I had never had a relationship that went so deep.
Scott and I spent many hours together each week out of school, and we worked together in school to get better grades and better the campus through the student council. Even when we weren't elected, we volunteered for other positions on the council. Scott was one of the smartest people I knew. Things came easily to him. When his grades weren't satisfactory, it was more likely that he had become bored or not done the homework than because he didn't understand.
From Scott I learned about loving through differences. I learned how to build a strong relationship with someone who has different views. I learned how to share my views and receive the views of others without offense, but in the interest of each other. Sharing these views proves vital to devloping the strongest of relationships.
I don't know that I can make a list long enough for the things I learned from my grandmother. There are many times in life where I considered her my best friend of all. She has always been one of my best friends, and always will be. Her contribution to my life can never be replaced. I have only cried myself to sleep a handful of times. Usually when I lose a friend to distance, a mission or death. This time was the worst . . . for several nights in a row. It was when I learned that she and my grandpa would be moving to Florida for three years to preside over the Florida Jacksonville Mission. While I was supportive of what they were doing, I knew it meant that my best friend, upon whom I had relied so much emotionally, would be on the other side of the country for three years.
In those days, we didn't have cell phones with free long distance, so calls would be limited. I don't recall that we had email at that time either. Calling was expensive, and was only an occasional treat. I grew emotionally from the separation, but to this day, it is not one of which I am fond. I enjoyed those summer visits to Florida. In fact, it was on one of these visits where my dad taught me the joys of "bumping" on airline flights (but that's a story for another day).
Grandma has always taught me to increase my spirituality. She has taught me to be safe physically. We share an interst in healthy eating and good cooking. I suppose it is easy to hold an interest in something you're good at. Grandma is an amazing cook. I don't recall ever being fed something she cooked that I didn't enjoy. Perhaps I glorify the memory of my grandmother's cooking, but I do believe she is one of the best. I've eaten at some very expensive restaurants while out for work, but with few exceptions, I would take grandma's cooking over them any day.
Grandma taught me how to care, and how to sing "Jesus Said Love Everyone." I'm not sure if that was her favorite song, but she would start singing it every time there would be discord among the grandchildren. I even remember her singing it to my father a time or two. Haha....he deserved it ;-)
Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned from her so far is her Christlike example. Rather than asking what would Jesus do, I could just as easily ask what would Grandma do. For me, she defines the word saint. I'm so glad she has been allowed to stay on the earth to teach and guide me. She has been an influence for good in my life.
My parents have been my friends throughout my life. Of course, as a teenager, you don't always think so. Sometimes you even think they are against you. After all, what's wrong with playing basketball until midnight after scouts? We're not out painting graffiti, right?
Like my grandmother, there are too many things for me to share in this small blog. Many are too personal. But I have learned from the examples and friendship of my parents. Here are just a few things they have taught me:
My mom taught me to love, how to get along with my siblings (hey, it needs teaching ;-) ) She taught me to be persistent (or maybe she was just some meanie that MADE me practice those instruments every day....ok...she taught me persistence). She has taught me honesty, and the value of service. She gas given selflessly for years. I'm sure there were many times she would have rather been out doing something for herself than staying home with those bratty kids.
I enjoy frequent conversations with her. She has listened to me whine through some of the greatest frustrations of my life. No matter what, she has always been there. Perhaps to be this type of ever giving friend, you need the love of a mother. Perhaps you don't. But whatever the reason, she has been one of my greatest friends.
My father has been a great example to me. He has taught me how to be a home teacher of the best variety. He has taught me how to get all the chairs stacked at the stake center in a matter of minutes (here's the secret - at the end of the meeting just start banging them together....people automatically start to stack chairs!). In my adult life he has given me a passion and love for physical excercise. Especially biking. He has been a significant contributor to my ever increasing love for music. It started with a guitar in our bedrooms at night as a young child. To this day I still cry when I hear some of those songs. My father isn't gone, but they cause me to remember him and how special he is to me. "Silver Wings" gets me every time. Today, my father is an inspiration, as he takes lessons to become a better rhythm, lead and steel guitar player. His dedication is fantastic. I talk to him almost daily, even if just for a few minutes. He is one of my greatest pillars of strength.
I could go on like this for quite some time, but I need to get ready for church soon, so I will close with one more friend, Joey:
Joey and I met in an unlikely setting. I believe it was speech and debate. I don't think it all that unusual that a person like myself ended up in speech and debate, but Joey was a swimmer. What was an athlete doing in speech and debate? It was just a stepping stone in his life as he discovered and eventually set out to follow his dream.
Joey and I have been friends now for 11 years and going strong. We've had our ups and downs, but Joey has stood by me. He has sound logic and has walked me through some of the most emotional decisions I have ever had to make. If either of us is ever described as level headed, it may be simply because when we're not, we call the other and bring each other back down off the jumping bridge!
Joey has given me one of the greatest gifts of all. One, he has shown me the power of a dream. He took a risk. He did something great. He is living out his dream. He hasn't made it big yet, but he gave up a life of secure income to follow his dream. He has had many small victories on the way, and I have no doubt that he will be a great actor, writer and director. His passion is not found in many who are today in the field His material shares deeply threaded messages that are so needed as the moral fiber of our society devays. He grasps acting and writing better than any I have ever met.
When I've been down, he pulls me back up. It is interesting that I've become someone better because he thinks of me as someone better. When I find myself in the deepest despair (okay, maybe that's a little melodramatic), he is there to keep me from stopping. He tells me to remember that I'm Otto Shill. I can do anything.
I suppose the neat thing about all of these and other friendships tyhat I have had during my life is that they have all contributed to who Otto Shill is. I can do anything I put my mind to. If I remember the examples of my friends, there is nothing that can stop me. I may never rise to be a great influence in the lives of millions as have the greats (Ben Frankline, George Washington and others), but I can have a quiet influence like my great friends have. They have literally made me who I am. Without them, I'd be pretty boring. Because of them, i am a pretty great person. I hope to influence other s in the way they have influenced me.
Its funny how typing about this for the last hour has caused me to reflect on so many others who deserve to be a part of this post. Perhaps, someday I'll take the time to come back and add more.
I guess the takeaway for me from the last hour of typing is this: Friends are one of the greatest gifts God has given us. Through our friendships we grow, share and learn. Through friendships, we can change the world, one person at a time. To all of my friends, who have stuck with me through the years and who I have met in passing, please know that your contribution mattered to this person. I am who I am because of you!
Certainly, maintaining a friendship with everyone we ever meet is impractical. We simply don't have time to develop a deep reletionship with everyone we know. However, we must take the time to develop this relationship with some of the people we know. Those we hold closest and dearest will be pillars of strength in time of need. They will draw from our strength as they struggle. We will enrich each others' lives as we work together toward our respective goals.
In today's entry, I wish to honor some of my great friends and the things I have learned from them.
I have always known a great number of people. Many of whom were friends. one group in particular that I remember were the neighborhood kids with whom I played street hockey. Every night we would strap on our roller blades and pull out the saw horses. We'd pass the ball around and strive to score. We taught each other teamwork. We taught each other how to enjoy. Without knowning it we taught each other the benefits of physical exercise and the joys of belonging to a group. The faces in this group changed from time to time, but the group and what it did for me did not change.
In Junior High School, Scott Jaffa and I started the "Model Rocket Club." We were a bit more interested in science and education than our counterparts on the sports teams. We both served on the student council. I was (and remain) a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a Mormon). We were the predominant religion in my community. About half of the students at my school attended seminary. Scott was Jewish. I had previously experienced friendships with those of a different faith, but I had never had a relationship that went so deep.
Scott and I spent many hours together each week out of school, and we worked together in school to get better grades and better the campus through the student council. Even when we weren't elected, we volunteered for other positions on the council. Scott was one of the smartest people I knew. Things came easily to him. When his grades weren't satisfactory, it was more likely that he had become bored or not done the homework than because he didn't understand.
From Scott I learned about loving through differences. I learned how to build a strong relationship with someone who has different views. I learned how to share my views and receive the views of others without offense, but in the interest of each other. Sharing these views proves vital to devloping the strongest of relationships.
I don't know that I can make a list long enough for the things I learned from my grandmother. There are many times in life where I considered her my best friend of all. She has always been one of my best friends, and always will be. Her contribution to my life can never be replaced. I have only cried myself to sleep a handful of times. Usually when I lose a friend to distance, a mission or death. This time was the worst . . . for several nights in a row. It was when I learned that she and my grandpa would be moving to Florida for three years to preside over the Florida Jacksonville Mission. While I was supportive of what they were doing, I knew it meant that my best friend, upon whom I had relied so much emotionally, would be on the other side of the country for three years.
In those days, we didn't have cell phones with free long distance, so calls would be limited. I don't recall that we had email at that time either. Calling was expensive, and was only an occasional treat. I grew emotionally from the separation, but to this day, it is not one of which I am fond. I enjoyed those summer visits to Florida. In fact, it was on one of these visits where my dad taught me the joys of "bumping" on airline flights (but that's a story for another day).
Grandma has always taught me to increase my spirituality. She has taught me to be safe physically. We share an interst in healthy eating and good cooking. I suppose it is easy to hold an interest in something you're good at. Grandma is an amazing cook. I don't recall ever being fed something she cooked that I didn't enjoy. Perhaps I glorify the memory of my grandmother's cooking, but I do believe she is one of the best. I've eaten at some very expensive restaurants while out for work, but with few exceptions, I would take grandma's cooking over them any day.
Grandma taught me how to care, and how to sing "Jesus Said Love Everyone." I'm not sure if that was her favorite song, but she would start singing it every time there would be discord among the grandchildren. I even remember her singing it to my father a time or two. Haha....he deserved it ;-)
Perhaps the greatest thing I have learned from her so far is her Christlike example. Rather than asking what would Jesus do, I could just as easily ask what would Grandma do. For me, she defines the word saint. I'm so glad she has been allowed to stay on the earth to teach and guide me. She has been an influence for good in my life.
My parents have been my friends throughout my life. Of course, as a teenager, you don't always think so. Sometimes you even think they are against you. After all, what's wrong with playing basketball until midnight after scouts? We're not out painting graffiti, right?
Like my grandmother, there are too many things for me to share in this small blog. Many are too personal. But I have learned from the examples and friendship of my parents. Here are just a few things they have taught me:
My mom taught me to love, how to get along with my siblings (hey, it needs teaching ;-) ) She taught me to be persistent (or maybe she was just some meanie that MADE me practice those instruments every day....ok...she taught me persistence). She has taught me honesty, and the value of service. She gas given selflessly for years. I'm sure there were many times she would have rather been out doing something for herself than staying home with those bratty kids.
I enjoy frequent conversations with her. She has listened to me whine through some of the greatest frustrations of my life. No matter what, she has always been there. Perhaps to be this type of ever giving friend, you need the love of a mother. Perhaps you don't. But whatever the reason, she has been one of my greatest friends.
My father has been a great example to me. He has taught me how to be a home teacher of the best variety. He has taught me how to get all the chairs stacked at the stake center in a matter of minutes (here's the secret - at the end of the meeting just start banging them together....people automatically start to stack chairs!). In my adult life he has given me a passion and love for physical excercise. Especially biking. He has been a significant contributor to my ever increasing love for music. It started with a guitar in our bedrooms at night as a young child. To this day I still cry when I hear some of those songs. My father isn't gone, but they cause me to remember him and how special he is to me. "Silver Wings" gets me every time. Today, my father is an inspiration, as he takes lessons to become a better rhythm, lead and steel guitar player. His dedication is fantastic. I talk to him almost daily, even if just for a few minutes. He is one of my greatest pillars of strength.
I could go on like this for quite some time, but I need to get ready for church soon, so I will close with one more friend, Joey:
Joey and I met in an unlikely setting. I believe it was speech and debate. I don't think it all that unusual that a person like myself ended up in speech and debate, but Joey was a swimmer. What was an athlete doing in speech and debate? It was just a stepping stone in his life as he discovered and eventually set out to follow his dream.
Joey and I have been friends now for 11 years and going strong. We've had our ups and downs, but Joey has stood by me. He has sound logic and has walked me through some of the most emotional decisions I have ever had to make. If either of us is ever described as level headed, it may be simply because when we're not, we call the other and bring each other back down off the jumping bridge!
Joey has given me one of the greatest gifts of all. One, he has shown me the power of a dream. He took a risk. He did something great. He is living out his dream. He hasn't made it big yet, but he gave up a life of secure income to follow his dream. He has had many small victories on the way, and I have no doubt that he will be a great actor, writer and director. His passion is not found in many who are today in the field His material shares deeply threaded messages that are so needed as the moral fiber of our society devays. He grasps acting and writing better than any I have ever met.
When I've been down, he pulls me back up. It is interesting that I've become someone better because he thinks of me as someone better. When I find myself in the deepest despair (okay, maybe that's a little melodramatic), he is there to keep me from stopping. He tells me to remember that I'm Otto Shill. I can do anything.
I suppose the neat thing about all of these and other friendships tyhat I have had during my life is that they have all contributed to who Otto Shill is. I can do anything I put my mind to. If I remember the examples of my friends, there is nothing that can stop me. I may never rise to be a great influence in the lives of millions as have the greats (Ben Frankline, George Washington and others), but I can have a quiet influence like my great friends have. They have literally made me who I am. Without them, I'd be pretty boring. Because of them, i am a pretty great person. I hope to influence other s in the way they have influenced me.
Its funny how typing about this for the last hour has caused me to reflect on so many others who deserve to be a part of this post. Perhaps, someday I'll take the time to come back and add more.
I guess the takeaway for me from the last hour of typing is this: Friends are one of the greatest gifts God has given us. Through our friendships we grow, share and learn. Through friendships, we can change the world, one person at a time. To all of my friends, who have stuck with me through the years and who I have met in passing, please know that your contribution mattered to this person. I am who I am because of you!
