Michael Vick Reinstated?!!

Okay, so here I go again. I'm kind of on the back side of the fence with this one. There is no doubt that Michael Vick was one hell of a runner [quarterback], but what the hell is everyone thinking?! For those of you who may not remember, this man ran a dogfighting ring for a profit!! He and three other men participated in the killing of dogs that did not perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them into the ground. What sick s.o.b. does that to an animal?!! I just don't see how the NFL can even consider reinstating him!! What the hell was Roger Goodell thinking when he made that decision?! Vick may have been a talent, but how do you let something like that slide?

I know many will disagree with me by saying that he paid his dues. What about the dead dogs? Do they not count because they are already dead?! There are some things in life you can let slide and it is acceptable, but this, this is definitely not acceptable. What kind of message is the NFL sending out to our younger generation? I mean, come on...these guys are supposed to be role models!! Sounds like somebody needs to get a clue!!

"Paying Respect to Those Who Deserve It!"

If you are reading this, stop and think about this one for a minute, will you?!!

Have you stopped to thank a veteran today? For the price of freedom they had to pay? Did you gaze into those distant eyes? Did you see the ghosts he can't deny? Did you think a soldier's heart was made of steel? Because he was trained to kill, he couldn't feel? Did you see the guilt written on his face, For the loss of life he can't replace? Did you know he mourns the lives he couldn't save, And walks with comrades in their grave? Did you remember the boy with innocence lost? Do you really know war's ultimate cost? Have you felt the blast of artillery fire? Do you have the courage it would require? Have you stood in trenches consumed with fear? Felt the enemies breath so very near? Have you walked with God on a battleground? Seen your brothers dead or dying all around? Have you stopped to thank a vet today, Or did you just turn and walk away? From the pain he'll carry for the rest of his life, Did you consider his family, his children, his wife? That watch him suffer in silence each and every day, As he's haunted by memories that don't go away? Did you care that the soldier is still pulling guard? That his heart, mind, and soul will forever be scarred? Do you know how he suffers from ptsd? Or that our precious freedom is never free? Do you care that he still hears the blood curdling screams? Or that he returns to the war each night in his dreams? Have you felt the sorrow of a combat vet? Or would you rather just forget? That war has pierced his hardened heart, And torn this soldier all apart? Would you rather our heroes just fade away? Or will you stop to thank a vet today?....

Isn't this just beautiful?! I'm not sure who the author is, but I absolutely love it. I couldn't have put it better myself. Sometimes you just have to sit back and take it all in. Life happens. Each and every day that we breathe, life is good. And those lessons in life, good or bad, happen for a reason. And without them, we wouldn't be who we are today. Life is too short to not want to live it to the fullest. So read the following entry below, and really, just take it all in and absorb it. It's all good.

I believe that sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be: your roommate, neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. Sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life and the successes and downfalls you experience, they are the ones who create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from... those lessons are the hardest and probably the most important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen, let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it. What obstacles will you overcome today?