48 Shout Outs

Sometimes I think it’s important for us all to take a step back and appreciate life and all the little things that we sometimes forget about or overlook. I have been on a mission lately to say “thank you” more, to let people in my life know that I truly appreciate who they are and what they do for me and other people. The responses I’ve gotten to my new emphasis on appreciation have been interesting to say the least. Often time people don’t know how to take a thank you, I had one lady at the Post office lightheartedly call me a “smart-ass” I’ve had more than one person say “thank you” for saying thank you, which then starts a Möbius Strip of never ending thank you’s,

But, for the most part, people just smile.

And in the end isn’t that what it’s all about? Just helping one person for one fleeting moment feel appreciated and loved enough to crack a smile, to release a momentary surge of endorphins, to create if even for the briefest of moments a real human connection with another person simply by acknowledging that they are not a something but a someone.

So, in this weeks post I want to share some appreciation, I want to take a page from the many awards shows that have been broadcast over the last few weeks, and mention a few individuals and things that make the day a little better. Spread a little positivity! I want to give props to some of the unsung heroes out there, who seldom, if ever, get their due.

So THANK YOU in no particular order…

• To my Mom, it just seemed like the right place to start.
• To Coffee, lets face it without you life is boring and unproductive
• To the people who grow, pick, and package coffee
• To the makers of coffee cups and travel mugs
• To that strange guy who’s always hanging out at the Manheim/Mount Joy exit off 283, you’re yelling at someone and I can only imagine they deserve it!
• To William Barclay your Commentaries have helped define much of our collective understanding of theology.
• Rye Bread, you make the best toast and you know it.
• To anyone toiling away in their basement inventing something to improve the human condition…lets hope it’s a jetpack.
• To anyone who has been put down, bullied, or told that they are “second class citizens” and still manage to get up each day look at themselves in the mirror and smile…you are my hero!
• To anyone who has been put down, bullied, or told that they are a “second class citizens” and still manage to get up each day look at themselves in the mirror without smiling…you are my hero and know that until you can, I’ll be smiling for you!
• Beer.
• To anyone who gets up day after day to go to a job they hate to provide for their family.
• To grandparents who raise their grandkids.
• To the guy who replaces the light bulbs on radio towers…I actually know a guy who did that…thanks!
• To the square pegs being forced into round holes.
• To people who smile and say thank you to people they don’t know.
• To kids who still dream of becoming astronauts.
• To anyone who has devoted their lives and sacrificed their own comfort and social standing to make a stand for what is right, even if their views aren’t popular.
• To the person who invented the machine that puts the cream filling in Twinkies…my hat is off to you!
• To those who not only aren’t afraid to create something new and beautiful, but refuse to destroy something else to do it.
• To single parents who never get the break they need, nor the credit they deserve.
• To Jesus for completely and utterly ruining my life…in a good way.
• To marshmallows, I got to be honest I’m not a huge fan, but without you there would be no SMORES and that just doesn’t seem right.
• To anyone who plays an instrument and or sings without the need of any digital alteration.
• To old guys who fart in public cause they just don’t care anymore what people think.
• To Anne Lamott, J.J. Abrams, Dr. Victor Frankel and Steve Jobs. Why those four? Why not!
• Did I mention coffee?
• To dreamers, doubters, seekers, searchers, and anyone else who looks outside of what they know of truth with an open heart and mind.
• To communities that pool their resources and live simply so they can share with others in need.
• To people who still rock the mullet.
• To the Westborough Baptist Church, for making almost everyone else in the world look sane in comparison…alright that was a bit snarky, sorry.
• To the LED’s, for putting a nail in the coffin of overhead fluorescent lights…those things suck at my soul.
• To my wife for being sexy.
• To all the volunteers and coordinators of the Trevor Project, a help line for LGBTQ teens (1-866-488-7386)
• For people who have to wear suits to work, there but by the grace of God go I.
• To the amazingly beautiful people of Haiti, see you again soon.
• To Charles Elmer Doolin inventor of the Cheetos, my orange stained fingers salute you.
• To teachers who still believe that they can make a difference, and fight for the rights of their co-workers and kids, you deserve better!
• To anyone who has been hurt by a religious establishment and has been able to move past the bitterness and pain to begin again down the path of spiritual experience.
• To Dragonflies, in my humble opinion the coolest of the flying insects.
• To the small business owner who has had the same salary for years so they can give their employees Christmas bonuses.
• To anyone who has been challenged, confronted, or touched by cancer, which statistically speaking is all of us.
• To shrimpers, truckers, crabbers, loggers, fisherman, and swamp people who don’t have a show on cable.
• To the people who are still reading this!
• To the fine folks at Chaco for making superior footwear, my new clogs might just be the only thing I ever put on my feet again…sorry Sanuk.
• To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for so that strangers can sleep safe at night.
• To all those people who are hurting and afraid right now, who think that no one cares or understands what it is you are going through. Know that you are not alone, and that there are still great pockets of love in the world. Heck, call me I’ll listen 717-575-1087
• And finally to you, for making it to the end. I would love to hear your “shout-outs” if you feel so inclined and I bet I’m not the only one!

Thank you and Godspeed

-erik