08/05/2008
Mattie Stepanek
More on Mattie Stepanek coming soon...
FOR OUR WORLD
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
September 11, 2001
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
Used with permission from Hope Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002
We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.
September 11, 2001
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek
Used with permission from Hope Through Heartsongs, Hyperion, 2002
08/02/2008
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~Be the Best You Can Be!~
Here is another fantastic story of someone very special to me and he is truly my inspiration. He is my brother Alika Parish. My two brothers and I grew up having divorced parents at a young age. Being the oldest child, Alika had to be strong and needed to be a good role-model. It was quite hard at times and he struggled with his education. While being negatively put down at times, Alika always knew that in the future he would be something great. He tried to keep a positive attitude and never settled for less. In the 7th grade he began playing the guitar while learning to play by ear. He also pushed himself to play track and field, football, and wrestling which he found extremely difficult but it taught him to persevere. When he became a junior he continued to face challenges with his school work and football which he loved most. While almost giving up, he turned the negative upside-down and did whatever it took to become the best he could be. Because he never gave up, Alika became very successful as he graduated with honors, continued to play sports, playing the guitar and singing and lastly becoming apart of the Air Force while currently working at air traffic controls. If there is one thing my brother taught me, he always told me, you can do way more than what your mind thinks you can. Love you braddah!