When I was a kid...

You know it is really cold outside. I was sitting here thinking of when I was a young boy. I lived in the westside of Chicago in a row house. It was built before 1900. It was old but it was home. Whenever it got cold like it is today, my window would get a sheet of ice on it. No, not only on the outside, also in the inside part of the glass. I remember sitting on the edge of my bed and with my fingernail, I would scratch my name and different pictures on the ice. It was a normal thing for me, this freezing of my window. I did not know this was happening because our windows were so old and in need of repair. It actually felt kind of cozy. Nothing could be seen from the outside or inside.

My mom would place towels or scraps of fabric to prevent the cold air from coming in. These would actually freeze in place. That is the way life was. I did not wish for something better, cause I did not know anyone who had it better. I guess I was naive. I did not mind living that way at all. As I said it was home.

Now that I am older, I wonder how many children this very day are living as I did. I wonder if there is a little boy or girl somewhere in this city scratching the ice from their windo? I am pretty sure that there are. But unlike me, they probably are aware that many have it much better than they do. This is sad in more ways than one. I recall those times as fond memories, while these children are viewing it as poverty. The more I think of it, the more I realize that it was the warmth of having a home with a mom and dad which made everything okay. I will never take for granted what I now have. I am a rich man when compared with those days. But believe me I would not trade those memories for the world. I am by no means a rich man by the world's standards, but by my standards I am.

May God bless all the children in the world, rich or poor...

It won't cost anything...

How much will it cost you to bring a smile to someone's face today? Nothing but a little effort on your part. Some people are so bogged down with personal problems and or illness, that they could use a little happiness in their day. I say day, cause maybe you will only see them this one time, so you have only this opportunity to share some joy with them.

Sometimes a simple gesture is all that is required. How about holding the door open for someone and wishing them a nice day? How about offering to help a blind person across the street? How about giving up your seat on the bus or train to someone else? Simple things that could mean a world of difference in someone's life. You may never know how you change that persons entire day. That is the fun part. You do it because you want to, not because you are expecting or waiting to be acknowledged for your deed. The more you do these things the easier it becomes. You will naturally smile at someone that meets you eye to eye, instead of saying, ''What are you looking at". You will start to feel happier in your own life. It takes too much energy to be mad or upset all of the time. Wehn you change your attitude to a positive one, you will find that even negative people won't bring you down.

Be happy and share your happiness, it will make you a better person and you just might make someone's day!

My Jibaro parents...

I was born in Chicago, il. But in my heart I feel as Puerto Rican as a Coqui. My parents were born and raised in the hils of Puerto Rico, the reason I call them Jibaros. I say that with the deepest respect and pride. They both came from the poorest of conditions. My mom haveing a blind dad and her mother passing-away while my mom was only 18.

In the early 1950's they traveled to the United States to make a life for themselves and their families. My dad came in April of 1950 and my mom in July of 1953. They were not married yet. In fact they did not know each other. Maybe as kids in passing they may have mett, but not a close friendship. My mom had little time to play, she had to help with the raiseing of her younger brothers and sisters. And my dad had to milk the cows and deliver   the milk   before he could go to school. My mom was never allowed to go to school.

They arrived here in Chicago knowing only their handfull of family members and not much else, aside from the desire to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones. They did not read or write the language, in fact, my mom having no formal education, did not read spanish either. They were brave,  only being in their early 20's in a strange country where prejudice was very much alive.

They found work and started on their journey to a better life. My dad worked for the railroad before settling in a candy factory, where he worked for the next 41 years of his life. My mom workde in a factory for a little while until in February of 1954, she and my dad married. She then started the job of raiseing a family while still helping her dad, brothers and sisters.

My Dad learned on his own how to read english by reading the sports pages of the newspaper. He really loved sports and still does. My mom taught herself how to read in spanish reading the Bible.

They not only fulfilled their dreams, but helped others to achieve theirs. They provided a home for my sister and me, filled with love and pride.

So as you may well understand how it is with so much pride that I call my parents Jibaros and I consider myself a Puerto Rican.

With love and PRIDE I dedicate this blog to my dad Luis Antonio Colon and my mom Maria Judith Rivera de Colon...

Today was a good day...

Well for starters My oldest granddaughter stayed over and her cousins had a chance to play with her. She is growing up really fast. Soon the games the other girls like to play, will seem childish to her. We need to be patient with her. She was the first granddaughter and the only one for a few years so she has had to adjust to many changes. And now she is growing up so fast that she will be experiencing many changes that are hard for a young girl. She has an attitude at times but I understand her and try to deal with it and realize that she is a baby in a big girls body. I am sure she doesn't want to grow up so fast either. It can be a scary ordeal. I will do what I can to be here for her, as I will for all my babies.

Well, the Saints won their game against the Vikings. I did not want the Vikings to win. I am sure that New Orleans is going to be a crazy place from now until the big game. GOOD FOR THEM!! After all they have gone through, it's nice for them to party.

On another subject, I was a little dissapointed when I recieved my new computer because it was not a tower. Well, I must say that this purchase has really turned out to be a great one. I found out this unit has Hyper Threading technology, which makes the processor work as a dual processor. And now I discovered an owner's manual for this exact unit on the Dell website. I downloaded it and discovered that this unit is what they call a SFF (small form factor) which means it was designed to work either as a true desktop (horizontally), or as a tower (vertically). And since the cd/dvd drive is installed vertically, the unit is much thinner than the classic tower. I was a little leary about this since I did not think the cd or dvd's would stay in place with the door open, but to my surprise, Dell designed it in a way where it works just fine. I should have noticed that the top and bottom panels both have the Dell insignia on them. I did not notice this until I stood it up as a tower. I would not have used it as a tower if I had not read about it in the manual. Now I am really happy. I can put it wherever I wish. I actually think it is really cool how thin it is, and how the corners are rounded instead of square. It was well designed and I am very pleased. So you see, I don't waste my time on the internet, I am always learning something new. Now I know why the seller had it displayed as a tower, cause it is one. Isn't innovation wonderful!!

It's late...

It is late Friday night or early Saturday morning. It was rather exciting around my house this evening. All my granddaughters and my sister's grandsons wher over. They adults came along as well. It was nice.

Now I have my quiet back and I don't know what to do with it. So I decided to write. Really am enjoying my new PC and my ZT upgrade. They both are much faster than I was used to. I bet that for those who do not need the screen-reader, this PC must fly. I mean the only time I notice it slows down and just for a second is when I use the APP reader function of ZT. And that may well be a software issue. It is like having a new toy. My son came over and told me that the software his company uses needs the type of processor this PC has or a Quad. This one has something called Hyper threading, which means that it splits the processor into two sections making it use it's full capacity and making it operate cooler and faster. It is pretty neat. I have been reading about this technology and Intell is the only one to offer it. You must have pentium 4 and the mother board and other components must be able to handle this feature. There is a complete section on how to properly build or rebuild this unit. I did not know all of this before I purchased. I did know I was gettin a great deal, it just turns out to be even better than I thought.

Well, I am getting tired now and I should get my proper sleep, so good night.

Don't avoid, prepare...

You know that most of us at one time or anothe in our lives have avoided and issue cause we are afraid of the outcome if we face it. Sometimes we don't even want the subject to be brought up. In fact we not only avoid it, we are actually afraid to think of it.

Well, I have come to learn in my life that those are the very things we should find a solution for or at least do what we can to remove it from that list of things which make us anxious. Maybe if we prepare for what we think the outcome may be we may feel a little better about facing the issue. If it is something that no matter what we may do, will eventually happen, then make the best of it. At the very least, at least we faced it and it is over. Hideing or running away from things will not make them go away or have a better outcome.

Yeah, I know it is easier said than done, but our peace of mind is at stake.

High priced?

I want to speak about items that are made for use by the visually impaired and blind community, regardless of where in the world one may live.

The fact is that in the U.S.a over 70% of those with these disabilities are unemployed. Most live on a fixed imcome. I am sure that it is probably the same or worse in other countries. However, I believe that one of the reasons why items such as the Talking GPS, Screen-Readers, Note takers and other technology is so expensive is of course because of the cost of developing and manufacturing the item. Having said that though, GPS units for the normal population are extremely advanced, some even with voice command features, and you can find those for as low as $150. I am sure that it cost plenty to develop and manufacture these also. The difference is as I see it, that thousands of people purchase these on a daily basis, in comparison to a hand full of blind folks buying the same item configured for the blind. If we the blind community could flood the market with demands for certain items and have the means to buy them, chances are that we would see the cost decrease dramatically. It is a matter of supply and demand. I share the feeling of not wanting charity with many visually and blind folk, so we are not asking for a hand out by any means, just a small break. As far as GPS is concerned, I strongly believe that soon the market will have a unit that will be adapted for the blind. I am not talking about the Trekker, that is already out there, I am talking of a unit made by a company who does not necessarily cater to the blind.

I will end by stating that in the 1970's I purchased a talking watch that hung on a keychain from a local store for the blind. I paid $20.00 for it. By the end of the '70's, the same unit was being sold to the public with a 60 second recorder for $5.00. Why? Supply and demand!

The Dream...

The dream that Martin Luther King had was a beautiful one. We have come a long way since then, but we have quite a ways to go yet.

One of the things that hurts me the most is the violence and crime that people of the same race or color bring against each other. Not that I justify crime done to someone of a different color or race, but why are our young people killing each other? We all hate crime when we hear of it on tv or read about it in the newspaper, and if the crime is one of racial hatred, we hate it even more. Well, I feel we should hate all crime and violence the same way. It is horrible when someone dies because of violence no matter the color or race. I truly feel that if Dr. King was alive today he would be preaching this view. Black against black and Latino against latino crime must stop! There is still plenty of prejudice in the world, why do we want to give those haters the upper hand by destroying one another? This lesson must begin at home. We as parents must instill in our children love for one another. It is never to late to start teaching love for the human race!

Technology gives people power...

I don't want to focus in on how great technology is, I have done that before and surely will again, but today I want to zero in on those companies who use the technology they have to make insane profit from those who can least afford it.

In particular I want to speak of AI squared, the company that has developed products such as ZoomText, which is a screen-reading program. I own my copy of ZT. I recently upgraded my version to the latest one. Prior to doing so I downloaded a trial version of the upgrade to see if It was worth purchasing. I found many excellent improvements in the upgrade. Being bilingual I have been trying to install a spanish voice to my program. After downloading ZT domestic version, I was happy to find spanish voice downloads available through AI squared. I use these different voices to switch between text I am reading depending on the language used to write it. Well, I purchased my upgrade and activvated my trial version with the proper serial number and to my bitter surprise, my spanish voices wher gone. I checked my installed programs and found they were still there. However, they did not work on ZT. So, I uninstalled the voice and tried to reinstall it through the ZT site. The download began and then stopped with the message that in order to use these voices I would need the International version of ZT. I am ok with that, but if the voice is not to be made available to those of us with the domestic version of 9.1, then the voices should not appear on the trial version. How much could it possibly cost AI squared to allow these voices to those of us who could benefit from being able to switch between languages? As with most technology created for the blind and visually impaired, it is over priced. My own belief on this is that the companies cater to government departments such as the dept. of Rehab. services who care very little about the cost of an item since it is tax-payers money which is to be spent.

Yeah, it may sound as if I am making a big thing over nothing, but to me it is not a small matter. What do I expect AI squared to do about this, absolutely nothing. Will I continue to use their product? Yes, and they know this so they will continue to charge as they do. By the way, I did not get my copy of ZT through a government grant of any kind, it was purchased with my own U.S. currency.

Feeling sad...

Here I am typing away on my new keyboard enjoying my new PC, while so many people in Haiti have lost their lives, and so many others are losing hope right now. I know there is nothing wrong with feeling good about having things. I just think how many take for granted the great life they have. I am grateful for my life and that of my loved ones. And let me tell you my loved ones are many...

I just feel bad knowing that in this day and age of so much technology their is so little that can be done to save those lives. The simple act of drinking potable water is something those folks don't have the luxury of doing. It is so sad...

I don't know what good it will do, but I am praying so that God may help all the survivors of this disaster.

Haiti

Haiti, so poor, and now this. My heart goes out to all those folks who have survived this disaster.
They now must worry about surviving. They have lost everything in a material sense and many, if not all, have lost a loved one. I believe that many of them would have rather died in the wreckage. I know that doesn't sound good, but what is good about losing your family? I hope that the U.S. as well as others step up and help these people. Do it fast, not like they did for the folks in New Orleans. It is sad when you think about how sick many of those people were, I have heard that Aids affects over 90% of their population. Hope for their sakes this is an inflated figure.

You know I heard a lady yelling out that it was the 'end of the world' and in fact for many it was.

I'm back...

Yeah, I did not write for a few days. I was busy. I went shopping for a new PC. It took me about two and a half days to make up my mind which one to get. I must have reviewed 100's of computers. It is great that I could do all that window shopping online. I would have been very frustrated if I had to go to so many stores. Well I decided on a Dell Optiplex which is much more than I will ever need. It has 4g ram and a huge hd. I did not get it for the hd size but the 4g did impress me. I know it will be a whole lot faster than the one I am using now. I think this one has 1/2g of ram. Well we shall see. I hope I am pleasantly surprised.

I went to my sister's house and ate some PR food. It was good. Then I sat in the front room and listened to the fb games. My teams won, the Jets and the Cowboys. Hope the cowboys beat the Vikings next weekend.

Looking forward to meeting Irina, my son's friend. She sounds like someone I will get along with just fine. I am not hard to get along with. Well that is my opinion, yours may be different. I have been known to be a real ass at times. I'm working on it.

I was thinking about my granddaughters and how happy they are. That is great! I was also thinking of how much things change. When I was a kid you expected to have two grandmas and two granpas. I only had one grandma simce my mom's mother died before I was born. However, My granddaughters have all of their grandparents. Neither of the two are married to to the corresponding mate anymore. I wonder how the girls will view that once they are older, or if they even care. They see me and their other grampa but not with our ex-wives. We all may be in the same room at the same time, but not together, not that we are at each others throats, we are just not married any longer. So, I don't know if it will make any difference to them since they are loved by so many people. I really think that we all try our hardest to show them we love them regardless of how we may or may not feel about one another. Life sure is different from when I was a kid. I really did not feel all that love from my father's parents. Maybe, they weren't given much affection when they wer kids. Well, that is no excuse now that I think about it. I did not feel all that love but I try to let those around me know that I love them, if I do. Well all that matters is that we love them and that they know it.

Once again, thanks for tech...

About a week before I started this blog I was starting to get cabin fever. I was trying to figure out what to do with my time. There is just so much sweeping and mopping and dusting before you run out of things to do. No thanks, I don;t want to clean your house.

So this brings me to the reason for today's subject. Because of technology I now have the opportunity to write my blog, read and write on facebook, send and recieve emails and just surf the web. Man let me tell you that this is a blessing. I think that if Doctors start reccommending the use of the internet to their depressed patients, they will see a remarkable change for the positive. Sure I know that a lot of time can be wasted on the computer, but before that it was the tv, alcohol and or drugs. Or for some of us, our mind would be racing with thoughts all the time, enough to make you go crazy. Now those thoughts can be put into a blog. I still have those moments when I feel trapped and feel like running, but at least now I can search for something on the web, check my mail or shop on EBAY. I still like to listen to talk radio and old radio shows, but I don't watch or listen to tv very often. There is so much that one without sight can not enjoy with movies and shows. I know that many things are happening on the screen when the actors aren't talking which make up a large part of the movie. And I just don't like to bother someone else to tell me what is going on. Yes, there are discriptive video movies, but they are very old movies and the newer ones are to expensive to buy. Years ago Blockbuster tried to carry those movies in their stors for rental, but it did not work out.

So thank God for technology. I tend to get bored of stuff, so let's see how long I will keep up my blog and facebook. For now it is actually a matter of survival. Winter with it's cold and snow are not good friends with a blind person. It is difficult if not impossible to go for a walk and just going outside to breathe fresh air gets old really quick. When the snow has fallen and there are spots which have not been cleared a blind person, or for that matter a visually impaired person can get confused and lose all sense of direction. Believe me I have gotten completely turned around right in front of my house. I panicked at first but the last few times I am calm and just use my cell phone to call someone to direct me back home. The last time there was no one home so I just stood in one spot and waited for a car to come by and request help. The interesting thing is that when I have gotten lost in front of the house I have been shoveling snow so I didn't have my cane with me. If the people driving by didn't know I was blind they would not stop and help. They would probably think I was loco. Oh well, as I said and I will continue to say, thanks God for technology and by the way thanks for wind chimes too.

Posted a pic...

Well I finally posted a pic of myself on fb and on my blog. I was thinking how interesting it is that all of you can see my picture and I cannot. No I am not feeling sorry for myself by any means. I just think how I don't know what I look like. If I could see I probably would know what to improve on. I guess I could be like the dragon in the movie about Hannibel where he always would break mirrors. Well they are of no use to me. Go figure if you don't know how my room looks, I have full size mirrored doors on my sliding closet doors. Actually the mirrors are the sliding doors. Oh well, one of those things that make you go hmmm.

Wonder if anyone even pays attention to the pictures on a person's profile? I think that if I could see I would probably only look at the pic the first time to make sure that I was corresponding with the right person. Well if that is the case, why did I take so long to post a picture? Well I don't want to look like a total geek if I can help it.

I think that we as a society put way to much emphasis on looks. That is where I have an advantage over the sighted community, since I can't see a face or a body I don't judge a person on how he or she looks. Even though I think that is the wrong way to go about things even when you can see. But let's face it, when you can see you can tell if a person is good-looking or a 'dog'. I speak to people an try to figure out how they look. I know that when it comes to women I must make a whole lot of mistakes, I say that because some women have such a sexy voice that I may think they are drop-dead-gorgeous, when in reality....

Who ever says that looks don't matter to them is not totally honest with themselves. If given a choice we would always choose the pretty one. Why?
maybe cause of our society and how it promotes beauty and fitness. I don't know about anyone else but myself, and if I could see I would be looking for a drop-dead-gorgeous chic, since before too long we would both be old and ragged. That does not sound like me, even though I am writing these words, I wonder if I could see, if I would take looks over sincerity. That would also depend on how I look, I could not expect to attract beauty if I am a slob. And I don't mean weight wise either. So I guess I haven't come to any conclusion today. But, that's okay, there's always tomorrow.

It's the first Monday of 2010...

It sure feels like a Monday. No matter what year or month it is, Mondays are always sluggish. So make the best of it. Tomorrow is Tuesday. I did my grocery shopping today. I bought some Mexican tamales which were made by and old school Mexican place. If you are from the '60's and from Chicago, you must have heard of La Guadalupana, they originally were a small store just selling mexican bread, or pan dulce, which I also love, and they grew into several small stores and a grocery store on 26th. st. They are now selling products at Jewel. Good for them. I remember the old man and woman who had their little store on Roosevelt Rd. right behind my house. I would go there and buy my concha, and my pretzel bread all coated in sugar. Good memories. I am pretty sure they are no longer with us, but what they started will live on for a long time. And that is great cause I like what they make.

Well, turning the subject to the Bears or DA Bears, I hear that tomorrow they are holding a press conference to discuss what they plan on doing. I hope they do something and not just sit on the two final games as a start for next season. I don't think they will get rid of the head coach since they would be liable for his contract, but I feel that D'angelo and Turner just to name a few should be given their walking papers. I feel that Cutler is a great QB. He needs two things, protection in the pocket and a reciever that won't give up on the ball. I think some of the players on the team can perform with different leadership. If the owner's don't do anything they are sending a horrible message to those players such as Cutler and not to speak of us the faithful fans. We deserve a winning team. Well, that is how I see it.

Man it's cold in Chicago, can someone do something to warm things up? I don;t know what but sending a couple of warm females my way would solve some of the problem, at least for me.

It's Sunday and it's cold...

Yeah, it is cold! This is one of those days when I am happy for the internet. After all, how much football can one watch or listen to? Well, my Dad could listen and watch different games all day long. I am glad that's one behaviour I did not copy.

Well I used my time wisely, if I do say so myself, since I cannot use spell checker with my screen reader, I found an online dictionary which is very cool. It is the Longman Contemporary English version. You simply type in the word you aren't sure of in the search box, and it shows you the proper spelling and definition. I think I will be using it just for fun. I told you I love to learn!

Yesterday, or rather, last night i
set a message on Face Book to a couple of my cousins in Puerto Rico. Just saying hi, and hoping that God blesses them and their families.

Well, now I am waiting to go shopping. Just want to get it done. I normally would go to food 4 less, however I have returned to Jewel. It seems their prices have gotten lower and I like the fact that they still bag my groceries.

Hope this week is warmer than the last. But then again I do live in the Midwest. It gets cold over in these parts.

As you probably noticed I don't have much to write about today. Well, Summer is barking and that means she needs to go out so see you later.

Minority or Majority...

What do you consider yourself as being, part of the minority or part of the majority? Well, there really is not just one position in life to look at when answering this. Your race may be minority, your religious views may be in the minority, your political views may be in the majority. So as you can see it all depends on each particular situation.

There are those however, who want to be part of the majority no matter what they stand for. This has always puzzled me, why would anyone choose to be a part of a group just because everyone else is? What about standing on your own two feet, even if doing so makes you part of a minority? Maybe it stems from the need to be accepted. As I see it this could lead a person to live a life they are not totally happy with. Just think about it, if what you say and do has been molded by those you want to be a part of so bad, that you lose your own identity? I can't and will not answer for you, but I want to be the author of my own views and thoughts. I don't need to feel the rush that comes from people agreeing with you. I don't mind the controversy of being different. Does this make me right and you wrong, or you right and me wrong? I don't think so. It is a matter of having the right to a personal point of view. If you find it easier just to go with the flow, well then by all means do so. But as for me I will continue to march to the beat of a different drummer when the ideas of the majority don't meet up to my expectations.

New Year's resolution...

Are you one of those people who's new years resolution is the same year after year? If so, that means you have not been to successful. But, don't give up. You can still accomplish your goals. Just go about it in a different way than you have in the past. Don't try or expect to succeed in one week or even in one month. Work at it no matter how long it takes. The harder you work at something the more you will enjoy the results. I hope that your new year's resolution is something you can accomplish on your own, since you can control how you go about it by yourself. When there is someone else involved you really lose a whole lot of control. But if you have decided to work at something with another person or group of people, try to keep everything positive. Don't get discouraged if you achieve your goal at a different pace than the others. You can do it! Do it for yourself. It is important to do things for yourself. They will not only make you happier, but they will also make you a nicer person to be around.

Technology is Great!...

Ask any blind person who is taking advantage of a screen reader, talking gps, talking scale, talking thermostat....and they will tell you how great technology is for them. I remember the years that just to know what the temp. was in my house, I would have to ask someone to tell me, no longer is that the case since I purchased my talking thermostat. Not only can I set the time and temp. but I can also check the temp. at any time just by pushing a button. This thermostat is so advanced that if I want to set the temp. by just talking to it, I can. How about my screen reader by Zoomtext...it opened up the world of internet,email,shopping...all just by reading what is on the screen and reading back every letter as I type it. I had learned how to operate MS DOS, back in the '70's, but as my sight got worse I could no longer see the screen. I just left it alone for a long time, and then I said I want to use a PC again. I got myself the ZT software and went to work. I had to learn how to use not only ZT but also Windows XP, Outlook, Ebay and everything else that had changed in the world of computers since the'70's, and let me tell you, it was a whole lot to learn! How about my talking GPS...my Trekker Breeze which can be use while walking or in a vehicle. It can tell the difference by the speed of travel and it adjust automatically. It tells me what street I am on and the direction of travel. It announces the coming intersection naming each street. By a push of a button, I can find out the nearest address to me and also what points of interest there are around me. I can also record routes with my own voice, I can then ask for directions to that particular location just by verbally requesting it. It is not perfect but it is so cool. Just imagine that a year and a half ago I would have ask where I was. I don't use it everyday but I could if I had to. Oh, I also have a talking compass which has saved me from being lost many many times. All I do is point it in the direction I am walking and it tells me north,east, west or south. It is great. When I had Kylie, my guide dog, a few times I got so turned around, that I did not know which way I was traveling. I am so glad I had my compass cause I soon was walking in the proper direction. Yeah, technology is awesome. I can't afford everything that is out there, but the things I need to allow me to be an independent person I own. I will continue to read thanks to my screen reader about new and exciting things in technology and when something is for me, you'd better believe I am going to save up my pennies to buy it.

Just another year?

I hope not. I hope it is a wonderful year full of pleasant surprises for all. We can make it a great year for ourselves and someone else by the way we live our life. We can fill someones day with joy and laughter, and by doing so make our own life easier to live.

When rough days come just think of the good ones just ahead of you. Don't allow gloom to take over any of this year. Fight for your happiness. Don't forget to tell those who you love that you do LOVE them, and not just by giving them a gift or a dinner, but by saying, "I love you." Take time to appreciate the small things in life, those we tend to take for granted. Call a friend you have not heard from in a while, don't wait for them to call you.

Don't be too hard on yourself, but try your best at everything you do so you have no regrets.

Does all this sound like I am asking you to live in a bubble? No, you can make all these things possible for yourself, and by doing so make it possible for someone in your life to have the opportunity to do the same.

God Bless your efforts.