Greatness
ONCE DEVIDED
Posts: 1,131
Only discovered this guy today. On the day of his funeral.
A year ago he be ame quite famous cause he posted a vid on YouTube and as a result Oprah had him and family on her Australian shows.
He also helped force our gov hand on some services for bowel cancer
I'm reading his blog . I'm not religous but his words resonate
And so regarding greatness
Last/First/Last
by Kristian Anderson July 26, 2011
I want to do something great with my life.
Some people would very generously suggest that perhaps I already am. Fighting cancer, Rachel’s video, Oprah, lobbying the government… lots of things that might shoehorn me into that category. But… truth be told, though I appreciate the kindness of their words, I don’t consider my deeds thus far ‘great’. I don’t say that out of some false sense of humility or modesty. I say it because I see myself as barely hanging on… “on the edge of a thread” as a friend of mine wrote in one of his songs.
The problem is, greatness takes time and time is something I may or may not have.
When I say “great”, I don’t mean that I want to be someone that everybody considers wonderful or someone that everyone likes, because pursuing the approval and acclaim of others is, in my opinion, the fastest way to nowhere. The bible even warns of such “greatness” in Luke 6:26…
“You are in for trouble when everyone says good things about you.”
Fame and celebrity are fickle masters and ambition… well, I know a lot of ambitious people…. and I don’t like them very much. Ambitious people often don’t care who they tread on whilst climbing the ladder. It’s only on the way down, when they’re the ones being stepped on, does a realisation of the impact of their own behaviour set in. But the damage is already done by then.
But back to greatness…
I’m happy to live a quiet life. In fact, I’m happy just to live a life… period. Rich, poor, success, failure, struggle, easy street or any combination of the above… just to live would be pretty sweet in my books. To live without physical pain and sickness, even better. But I’ll take it, whichever way it comes. I have 3 very precious people depending on me. I don’t intend to let them down.
When I was first diagnosed, once the sting from that initial slap had died down, I started taking stock of my life. Those first few weeks before I started chemotherapy, before I knew if I had a chance, before I knew if my body would respond to the chemical onslaught… I began to consider what might be said of me should my end be sooner rather than later. If my life was a shout from a cliff top somewhere… what would the echo sound like?
Eddie Wilson once said: “What I want is songs that echo. The stuff we’re doing now is like somebody’s bedsheets. Spread ‘em out, soil ‘em, ship ‘em out to laundry, you know? But our songs… I want to be able to fold ourselves up in them forever.”
I like that concept, even if it is from a movie character.
I want my life to be a life that, when it’s over and done, is a life that leaves behind memories and feelings that my loved ones can wrap themselves up in… find warmth in… find comfort in.
But how does one achieve this “greatness”?
In Mark 9:33 it says:
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them,“What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
I’ll tell you a story….
While we were away on holiday in the USA recently we spent a lot of time in the hands of the Disney corporation. Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Hotels, even a Disney cruise. It was fantastic. Oprah said to us that life was all about energy and that we only have so much to go around…. she was right. My batteries needed recharging…. badly. And so off we went.
By the end of our 3 week trip we found ourselves back in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, not long enough to see good friends but long enough to hit up Disneyland one last time before we left. We had been told we had to try and get a table at the Blue Bayou restaurant, which is part of the Pirates of the Carribean ride. (Best ride there next to the Star Wars Tours ride, in my opinion). So we made a reservation, went off to Tom Sawyer’s island and went looking for pirate treasure.
Our reservation time rolled around and we found ourselves seated by the water. It was amazing. Lit only by lanterns and candles, it looked like an authentic New Orleans/Louisiana bayou type setting, complete with a jazz guitarist playing sad songs up on the balcony on what looked like a Gibson 335 semi-acoustic. Our server came over and introduced himself. A big black dude named Al. I liked him right away. Something Disney has done right is it’s employees. Our entire trip we were blown away at how nice and how helpful they were. You can have the biggest brand in the world but if the people “on the floor” day to day are jerks it’s not going to last long. But Disney staff, 100% in our experience, are the best advertising Disney has.
So back to Al…. he took our order and Rachel went off quickly to go to Splash Mountain, Jakob was asleep in his pram and Cody and I were playing with his Star Wars action figures on the table. Al and I got talking after he took our order, where we were from, how we ended up here, a little about my situation, and by the end of the conversation I said to Al: “If you have a wife and kids, don’t worry about “the stuff”. Don’t worry about what you feel you need to buy them or give them. Because one day, if you have to go, they’re not going to remember “the stuff”, they’re going to remember you.” I have no idea where it came from… it just happened. Al stood there for a minute in silence, turned to leave, turned back, turned to leave again, turned back, then finally said he was going to check on our order.
When Al came back he approached in a very different manner. He came slowly and deliberately and said that he had done some checking and that “everything was taken care of”. I asked him what that meant and he told me that our meal was free…. he was going to pay for it. I told him that it was an incredibly generous gesture but I couldn’t let him do that. By the time drinks and sides were added it was nearly $100 US dollars, maybe more. But he wouldn’t hear of it. I tried again but he said it was something he really wanted to do, and off he went.
I sat there, very thankful the room was quite dark because I was so moved by what Al had done I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Rachel came back, soaked, and we had our meal. I didn’t say much. I couldn’t.
When it was time to go I looked for Al. He came over and I stood up and just hugged him. I told him how much it meant to us, his generosity and selflessness. I told him that maybe he didn’t realise it but what he thought he did in secret was actually witnessed by my Father in Heaven.
In Matthew 25:40 it says: “The King will say… truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
I told him that seeing as how he wouldn’t let me pay, all I could offer him was to ask that God look after him and his family. I knew he would because he’s been looking after me and mine. I put my right hand on his shoulder and said: “Jesus… bless this man.” And there it was, the warm blanket over my shoulders. God was there. We hugged again, both of us quietly with tears running down our face, we exchanged contact details and went on our way to get ready for our flight.
Do you think Al woke up that day and decided he was going to do something great? I doubt it. He was probably just thinking it was going to be another day at work. I thought it was going to be a fun day at Disneyland but I left being so deeply moved by one man’s generosity and care. His…. greatness. What Al did for us will echo in my heart for as long as I live.
And, I think, that’s how you become truly great. You help others. You put yourself last so that they can go first. You don’t have to have a million dollars in the bank. What is it you have in your hand? What are you good at? Are you a mechanic? Does someone you know need help with their car? Are you a gardener? Is someone you know unable to tend their garden? Are you an accountant? Does someone you know need help with their tax return? Are you a stay at home mum and you cook a mean pasta? Do you know someone who could really do with some help at meal time? Are you a cleaner? Do you know someone who needs their house cleaned every now and then? Are you a regular dude who sees a family in a restaurant and you want to pay their bill? Do it. These are the sorts of things that make you great. These are the things that change the lives of others. I speak from experience. I know. All of the things listed above are things people have done and continue to do for me and my family.
Jesus said: “What you do to the least of these…. you do unto me.”
“Love” is a verb… a doing word.
Have a think about it…. then look around, find someone that needs a hand.
We all do.
Blog at WordPress.com. Theme by Onswipe. View Standard Site
A year ago he be ame quite famous cause he posted a vid on YouTube and as a result Oprah had him and family on her Australian shows.
He also helped force our gov hand on some services for bowel cancer
I'm reading his blog . I'm not religous but his words resonate
And so regarding greatness
Last/First/Last
by Kristian Anderson July 26, 2011
I want to do something great with my life.
Some people would very generously suggest that perhaps I already am. Fighting cancer, Rachel’s video, Oprah, lobbying the government… lots of things that might shoehorn me into that category. But… truth be told, though I appreciate the kindness of their words, I don’t consider my deeds thus far ‘great’. I don’t say that out of some false sense of humility or modesty. I say it because I see myself as barely hanging on… “on the edge of a thread” as a friend of mine wrote in one of his songs.
The problem is, greatness takes time and time is something I may or may not have.
When I say “great”, I don’t mean that I want to be someone that everybody considers wonderful or someone that everyone likes, because pursuing the approval and acclaim of others is, in my opinion, the fastest way to nowhere. The bible even warns of such “greatness” in Luke 6:26…
“You are in for trouble when everyone says good things about you.”
Fame and celebrity are fickle masters and ambition… well, I know a lot of ambitious people…. and I don’t like them very much. Ambitious people often don’t care who they tread on whilst climbing the ladder. It’s only on the way down, when they’re the ones being stepped on, does a realisation of the impact of their own behaviour set in. But the damage is already done by then.
But back to greatness…
I’m happy to live a quiet life. In fact, I’m happy just to live a life… period. Rich, poor, success, failure, struggle, easy street or any combination of the above… just to live would be pretty sweet in my books. To live without physical pain and sickness, even better. But I’ll take it, whichever way it comes. I have 3 very precious people depending on me. I don’t intend to let them down.
When I was first diagnosed, once the sting from that initial slap had died down, I started taking stock of my life. Those first few weeks before I started chemotherapy, before I knew if I had a chance, before I knew if my body would respond to the chemical onslaught… I began to consider what might be said of me should my end be sooner rather than later. If my life was a shout from a cliff top somewhere… what would the echo sound like?
Eddie Wilson once said: “What I want is songs that echo. The stuff we’re doing now is like somebody’s bedsheets. Spread ‘em out, soil ‘em, ship ‘em out to laundry, you know? But our songs… I want to be able to fold ourselves up in them forever.”
I like that concept, even if it is from a movie character.
I want my life to be a life that, when it’s over and done, is a life that leaves behind memories and feelings that my loved ones can wrap themselves up in… find warmth in… find comfort in.
But how does one achieve this “greatness”?
In Mark 9:33 it says:
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, Jesus asked them,“What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
I’ll tell you a story….
While we were away on holiday in the USA recently we spent a lot of time in the hands of the Disney corporation. Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Hotels, even a Disney cruise. It was fantastic. Oprah said to us that life was all about energy and that we only have so much to go around…. she was right. My batteries needed recharging…. badly. And so off we went.
By the end of our 3 week trip we found ourselves back in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, not long enough to see good friends but long enough to hit up Disneyland one last time before we left. We had been told we had to try and get a table at the Blue Bayou restaurant, which is part of the Pirates of the Carribean ride. (Best ride there next to the Star Wars Tours ride, in my opinion). So we made a reservation, went off to Tom Sawyer’s island and went looking for pirate treasure.
Our reservation time rolled around and we found ourselves seated by the water. It was amazing. Lit only by lanterns and candles, it looked like an authentic New Orleans/Louisiana bayou type setting, complete with a jazz guitarist playing sad songs up on the balcony on what looked like a Gibson 335 semi-acoustic. Our server came over and introduced himself. A big black dude named Al. I liked him right away. Something Disney has done right is it’s employees. Our entire trip we were blown away at how nice and how helpful they were. You can have the biggest brand in the world but if the people “on the floor” day to day are jerks it’s not going to last long. But Disney staff, 100% in our experience, are the best advertising Disney has.
So back to Al…. he took our order and Rachel went off quickly to go to Splash Mountain, Jakob was asleep in his pram and Cody and I were playing with his Star Wars action figures on the table. Al and I got talking after he took our order, where we were from, how we ended up here, a little about my situation, and by the end of the conversation I said to Al: “If you have a wife and kids, don’t worry about “the stuff”. Don’t worry about what you feel you need to buy them or give them. Because one day, if you have to go, they’re not going to remember “the stuff”, they’re going to remember you.” I have no idea where it came from… it just happened. Al stood there for a minute in silence, turned to leave, turned back, turned to leave again, turned back, then finally said he was going to check on our order.
When Al came back he approached in a very different manner. He came slowly and deliberately and said that he had done some checking and that “everything was taken care of”. I asked him what that meant and he told me that our meal was free…. he was going to pay for it. I told him that it was an incredibly generous gesture but I couldn’t let him do that. By the time drinks and sides were added it was nearly $100 US dollars, maybe more. But he wouldn’t hear of it. I tried again but he said it was something he really wanted to do, and off he went.
I sat there, very thankful the room was quite dark because I was so moved by what Al had done I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Rachel came back, soaked, and we had our meal. I didn’t say much. I couldn’t.
When it was time to go I looked for Al. He came over and I stood up and just hugged him. I told him how much it meant to us, his generosity and selflessness. I told him that maybe he didn’t realise it but what he thought he did in secret was actually witnessed by my Father in Heaven.
In Matthew 25:40 it says: “The King will say… truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
I told him that seeing as how he wouldn’t let me pay, all I could offer him was to ask that God look after him and his family. I knew he would because he’s been looking after me and mine. I put my right hand on his shoulder and said: “Jesus… bless this man.” And there it was, the warm blanket over my shoulders. God was there. We hugged again, both of us quietly with tears running down our face, we exchanged contact details and went on our way to get ready for our flight.
Do you think Al woke up that day and decided he was going to do something great? I doubt it. He was probably just thinking it was going to be another day at work. I thought it was going to be a fun day at Disneyland but I left being so deeply moved by one man’s generosity and care. His…. greatness. What Al did for us will echo in my heart for as long as I live.
And, I think, that’s how you become truly great. You help others. You put yourself last so that they can go first. You don’t have to have a million dollars in the bank. What is it you have in your hand? What are you good at? Are you a mechanic? Does someone you know need help with their car? Are you a gardener? Is someone you know unable to tend their garden? Are you an accountant? Does someone you know need help with their tax return? Are you a stay at home mum and you cook a mean pasta? Do you know someone who could really do with some help at meal time? Are you a cleaner? Do you know someone who needs their house cleaned every now and then? Are you a regular dude who sees a family in a restaurant and you want to pay their bill? Do it. These are the sorts of things that make you great. These are the things that change the lives of others. I speak from experience. I know. All of the things listed above are things people have done and continue to do for me and my family.
Jesus said: “What you do to the least of these…. you do unto me.”
“Love” is a verb… a doing word.
Have a think about it…. then look around, find someone that needs a hand.
We all do.
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AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
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http://vimeo.com/14348174
His blog
http://howthelightgetsin.net/#!/page/1
My story is this: I grew up never going to church, never praying or blessing my meals, never giving thanks to God unless it was Thanksgiving Day! I grew up in a family of drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling, etc. I never did drugs until 18, so i was a good kid with a strong mind. I was a postive, happy kid. Me and my family had to work hard just to get by, so I had to deliver papers, pump gas, wash dishes...while i was in Highschool. No sports for me! When I went to College, for three weeks, I couldnt handle my math professor, so i quit school! I went to work construction, then moved to the beach to carry out my HIPPIE INTENTIONS! After 3 years of experiementing with all the hard drugs, hacky sacking, working at the beach... I almost died one night at the beach while on acid during a hurricane on the beach.Instead of leaving the beach, we had a HURRICANE PARTY ON ACID! I went out in the ocean that night and a huge wave knocked me into the boulder rocks! I was trapped between these huge rocks, knowing that another wave is coming! I ripped my feet out that were jammed and ran as fast as I could to the beach to dive for cover!
I moved back to Pittsburgh, PA that month and stayed there for 10 years. During that time I abused drugs, women, money, relationships, etc. Never with bad or evil intentions, I was a good kid, remember? So with a loving heart I only hurt myself, not others....or so I thought! During this 10 year period, I almost got killed, overdosed, killed others, hurt others, etc. You can say I lived, worked and partied hard but I almost died hard also. I almost died at least 5 more times in this period. I had a gun put to my heart from 3 men who were very evil looking high on PCP. I almost shot a guy with a gun in my home when being invaded but had to HOLD OFF! I almost overdosed many times! I almost killed friends from being a drunk driver and I almost died from a friend sleeping at the wheel going 80mph.
I never thought about Jesus, church or God much at all! Actually, after witnessing what the Roman Catholic church was doing to little boys, I decided I would never go to church or support the Catholic I
didnt understand religion much nor did I care to. I was tired of the life that I had experienced thus far and I was working hard and doing well at my work doing construction, jewelry making, home design, etc. I worked hard and too hard for the little money I made! It became tiring and I needed true change! Inside I knew I needed to move away from PGH and find new friends and a new career. I decided to move to Virginia and start a new business with Concrete. Yes, only if i could quit drugs, work hard, become a family man, etc, things would be GREAT! So I moved away, quit drugs, except marijuana, and tried my hardest in Virginia!
So now i have a new life in Va with my gf and her two girls. So suddenly i am raising a family in a nice middle class neighborhood! Things seemed great but working very hard to get by. I had to work hard to just get by, and then the Recession hits! I was not worth much and now a recession that will kill me has arrived! I was standing in line for free food at a church in my town. I thought that this church is doing a good thing for many people here today. So me and my gf and children started to go to the church once in awhile. Over the next year, her and I lost our home and we seperated. I lost my home, gf and children, and now my business! I found myself now living in a town house basement selling my tools to stay alive! I had nothing left, in a new place, where I knew noone well! It was a very humbling year you can say. Humbling through pain, sorrow and loss.
It was then, my cousin came to my house one evening and said he felt "called" to come over. He came over and prayed The Prayer of Salvation" with me. I said ok Im ready. I didnt know what it really was or how I was supposed to feel. But we prayed it and it did make me feel good to just say it as he did. I didnt truly recive the Holy Spirit at that moment, but the door to my heart certainly opened that night. My cousin said that I need to find a Non-Denominational Bible based church! So I went to the biggest Mega Church in DC, McLean Bible Church! When I went I was awestruck! It was like an amphitheater not a traditional church. The worship service was like a Rock Concert...I was like WOW! I love good live music! Im a Pearl Jam Fan!
Then, the church service was just as good! I actually felt something that day! It was the first time i ever felt that way in church! It was awesome! I finally, began to listen to the good music, attend church, give thanks, pray over my meals, etc.
It was amazing!! I could not believe what i was experiencing. I found the good music that was necessary for me to move forward and feel this new life being born in me. I approached everything with an open mind and gave alot of thought to creationism and MAN. I also now realized that I am not religious, I just seek a relationship with TRINITY! The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit that resides in all of us. I now have what I never thought I would have. Now I make cds of the good music and give them to people who are struggling in life and need God! They say that the music has done them wonders. I have witnessed what God has done in me! I have seen what my cds have done in others. When you see it, you will then believe it!
How my heart has changed? When you put anything above you, you will change the way you live. So when you put God above you, you will be a more loving person!
I have given myself to others completely. I will do whatever I can for anyone. I feel sorry that I didnt do this earlier. I feel as if i wasted alot of time. God has opened up my heart to love everyone the same! I am a white man and i am in love with an African woman who has been in the USA for two years now. I dont see color, class, creed like i used to. I dont judge at all! Everything seems right and genuine now. I feel earthly, I feel global, I feel universal! I feel complete, mellow, easy=going, loving! I have changed sooooo much just in 3 years, I cannot explain it! I would have killed myself if I didnt find God and recieve the Spirit! I didnt care at all back then, now I care so much I dont want to die yet. I have so many ideas and love to share. Its amazing what can be done in all of us. I wish everyone could feel this way I feel. I wake up feeling wonderful and now its time to pray on my knees! God bless you and your family and God bless AL and all the others like him!
I have been searching for answers to my medical symptoms but I cannot afford the diagnosis. So I will try to eat healthy, be healthy and pray for good health! Thats my health insurance! God bless all of you!
What is important is Salvation, Love, Revelation, Repentance while embracing the principles and values to carry out our mission! We have all the tools necessary to do great things.....but its not the big things....its the little daily things we do!
A man that stands for nothing....will fall for anything!
All people need to do more on every level!
Thought this thread was a little weird coming from someone who denied God's very existence, and denied that Christ is the son of God, just yesterday.
Hope God works in your life to change your heart.
Fear4Freedom, you rock.
A positive way to show how RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS don't necessarily come from the just the one's that believe in God, but if you don't have faith in something, where will you go when everything you have is gone.
Those that want to go first get to go last. I love that.
The years and years of evil people disguised as religious, gave the goodness a bad name so we throw the baby out with the bathwater.
A greater power is something that feeds you spiritually. Whether you believe in it or not, what goes around comes around. Science can't explain bad karma and they also can't prove that a higher power exists, but just because they can't prove it does not mean it does not exist.
For some people the Earth will always be flat.
I'm grateful for people like the OP who tell stories to open our minds. Thank you.
Why is it weird.
That I shared a story about a man who discussed greatness and what it takes to be great. His thoughts are on doing acts of kindness of helping his fellow man. Sure his core beliefs are Christian and I feel he finds inspiration in his faith. I have absolutely no problem with an individuals faith in whatever god he chooses. If that faith fills him or her with joy. Enables them to cope with life and or gives them direction. That is a blessing to that person.that is good in my eyes
But I don't beleive in that faith. I do not want or need it myself. I did have faith but lost it. That's my journey so far. But I'm a good person a kind person
My problem with faith or more so organized religion is that they want to control my life and others as well, even others who share a different faith.
An example of the control
I have a child with a genetic condition, when she was diagnosed we made the choice of having no more children. It's a 1 in 4 chance that our next child would suffer in the same way my daughter suffers daily as her lungs slowly deteriorate. Until she dies or gets a transplant ( if she is lucky)
We use condoms to prevent pregnancy .. THATS A SIN
if we did fall pregnent we would abort . That's a major sin and also if the right evangelical republican senators and presidential nominees get in it would be against the law. It's murder
But it's not our faith so why should be controlled by that. If you have faith and beleive those teachings and you want to follow those rules well that's your right.. But it's not your right to expect me to follow your faiths rules.
And that is my issue. My only issue
I also posted these words , his blog so that my Christian friends can feel inspired in this guys faith. It's something that you share with him and the peace he found in Christ helped ease him into death, he was sure he was entering the kingdom of heaven. And I'm glad he found that peace.
When my time comes and if I have the chance to contemplate I will dwell in the fact I lived a good life, my friends do say that they hold me as a benchmark for being a friend , a father a husband . I will dwell in the beauty I created in my daughter. My gift to the world. The love I have given and received to and from my lovely wife. I won't dwell in the despair I had in my youth. I beleive I will go bak to this earth and that my journey ends there. And that's good.
Since there are so many interpretations of the rules, I decided "fuck it" and created my own rules. I know what's good and I know what's bad by following my brain and my heart.
Also, I don't say many prayers, but I'll say one for your daughter.
Peace.
And that is the Beauty of human kindness. And that is a wonderful, truly beautiful thing.
Something that acheves greatness. Being selfless for others . Even if it's a small thing