Play YOUR Song!

A post discussing a brain popping about frequency.  Thanks to Country Duo Joey + Rory.  Check out J+R's song Play The Song

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=212

Check Out Fearless is Flawed and Perfection, Joy and Truth

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=210

Here is the link for PJT.  I forgot to post the link for 5th, but I will do that a later date.

God Bless

Chris

From The Gut on The 4th of June!

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=205

Hope you enjoy.

Thank You!
Chris

June 3rd Brain Fragments

I hope you enjoy the things flying out of my head today!

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=199

Thank You!
Chris

Brain Poppings on June Day 2

Check out what popped out of my head!
Peace and love
Chris

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=195

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=191

I reposted an amazing article my dad sent me. I wanted as many people to see it as possible.
Thanks!

Late May Thoughts

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=188

I hope you enjoy my idea World Lovination, my thoughts on new show Mental and a look at going to my own beat.

Thanks everybody
Chris

Rock Out No Matter What!

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=186

Please rock out no matter what! Have a blessed day and enjoy!

The Beautiful Broken Mirror

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=185

Please follow the link above for my most recent piece.

Savor The Page

Please use the link to go to chrisrathje.com Thanks very much and Happy Mothers Day!

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=183

Early May Thoughts

Please use the link to visit chrisrathje.com. Thanks!

 http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=182

A Book of Love

Please use the link to visit chrisrathje.com. Thanks!

http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=179

Get Tall

Get Tall

Yesterday I heard the song If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback for the first time.

This beautiful song talks about so many things that I find important

Love and Acceptance
Appreciation
Never Giving Up on Dreams
Doing What You Want with Life

After hearing it I emailed and called some friends I had not heard from in a while. I was so excited about this song I wanted to write about it as soon as I possibly could, however I could not come up with the right words instantly.

I realized this was connected to another topic I wanted to write about, but had not been able to fully articulate yet.

I am an underdog. There are hundreds of millions of underdogs in the US alone and billions around the world, but all we ever hear about is top dogs.

That is messed up to me! Why do we care about A-Rod or a slew of Hollywood celebrities so much? The single mom who has two jobs is my hero!

Please, please, do not buy into the BS of what we “should” think is important. Tune into your own life and your own dreams. Anything is possible, but we must focus on what is important to us and give gratitude every step along the way.

Some people are born into a top dog status, but others have had to go along a long path to reach their ultimate goals. I fully believe I am on my journey to all my dreams, but it has not been easy. There have been some major detours that I haven’t known how to deal with, but that is all part of growth.

I think anyone can become a top dog if they:

Follow Their Dreams
Give Maximum Effort
Uplift Others
Give Thanks

When you start out as an underdog you learn to get tough quickly. Resiliency is one of the most important characteristics to success. With resiliency and the habits of success I beg you to GET TALL! Stand tall or sit tall and look anyone you meet in the eyes.

If some cocky person gives you crap; please continue to be tall. Try to bring them up to your level, but if they refuse, just ignore them.

Life is too valuable! Use each day as the treasure it is! Refuse to tune into the frequencies that do not serve you. You are a wonderful child of God! You have earned love and grace. Go get your dreams with real confidence and real swagger!

We have all scrapped and survived, but I have had enough of that! IT’S PROSPERING TIME!

Everyone please get tall and stay tall.

Thanks for reading
Chris
chris.rathje@gmail.com

Give Thanks!

I have been through some challenging times lately, but in the grand scheme of things, it is no big deal. Challenges make you better and allow you to grow if you face them with gratitude. I haven’t done a very good job of that lately. I’ve tried hard, but ultimately, failed.

I think it can be really hard to give thanks if you wrap yourself up in one goal and it doesn’t happen. Please learn from my mistake. Realize anything is possible, but in God’s time, not our own. Some people are blessed with clear paths, but most of us have twisty roads to success.

Life isn’t always fair, but life is always beautiful, if we look hard enough.

There is a major concert going on this weekend in Birmingham and I can’t help, but think of two of my favorite musical artists who will be in town, Jason Mraz and Katy Perry. Recently I have been able to follow them on Twitter. Twitter has shown me what positive people they are 140 characters at a time.

I am so thankful for their music and the impact it has had on my life.

Waiting for My Rocket to Come by Jason Mraz and Room for Squares by John Mayer are my favorite albums of my college years. They opened up my mind to a different way of thinking. Mr. Mraz’s lyrics are genius. They are filled with wisdom and have helped me through some difficult times. My favorite lyric at the moment is:

“It takes a hole to make a mountain.” -Jason Mraz, Life is Wonderful

I have really held on to that line in recent weeks and I hope other people can find value in its beautiful message as we are all facing uncertain times.

I have just discovered Ms. Perry’s music in recent months and it is such a breath of fresh air to me. Beyond her lively music Katy’s story gives me so much hope. It doesn’t matter how many failures you encounter, keep striving for success. Katy really reminds of the little engine that could. Her story helps me to keep chugging along even if the track seems covered in barriers.

I admire Jason and Katy’s demeanors. They are both having a blast with life and give thanks often. They are rocking out on their paths and appreciate the beauty in everyone.

I am so thankful for my ability to write and ability to receive inspiration from such wonderful artists. Please give thanks. It makes life better.

Thanks for reading
Chris

Rule The Universe!

The old saying goes, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. It is so true. However sometimes life gives you way more then a bitter fruit.

Sometimes life gives absolute garbage and sometimes you don’t deserve it. It happens to everybody. The people who truly figure out how to make crapade are the people who rule the universe!

Learn to be a master of crapade and you will be successful in whatever you do. Man, I have taken some hard hits to the gut lately and I am becoming a master brewer of crapade.

That is why I will win today and everyday. I am a victor, not a victim.

If you can imagine it; you can make it happen! I know I have created much of my own problem. I didn’t always show it, but deep down I have always believed in myself. I know I can make anything happen, but for the vast majority of my life I thought I had to struggle to win. I thought taking people’s crap was good. It’s not!
Take care of yourself! Love yourself! It is important to make crapade, but don’t make so much you can barely breathe. Love yourself by sticking up for yourself! You deserve everything you want and by the grace of God you will get it!

Decide today to rule the universe! Yes Sir!

Thanks for reading
Chris

Conan & WALL-E Partying in My Head

Waking up this morning two images were dominant in my head.

First the final slide in my presentation at Northwestern University

“You will see no one has any idea what they are doing. You can allow this to scare you or liberate you.” – Conan O’Brien

Choose Liberation!

Second I realized that life really is like the movie Wall-E. Often times we have to sift through the garbage to find the beautiful green plant of hope.

Once you open your mind up to it you will realize that life is limitless. Free will really exists! However as you go through the journey to fully grasp the concept, the landscape can be quite frightening. With limitless options, am I making the right choice?

Please don’t be afraid to make a choice. You are free! Even if you make a “wrong” choice, you can always go back and fix things. Life is not supposed to be perfect!

Life is written in pen, but everybody’s outline has lines all over it, crossing things out and making revisions :)

Life does not always happen in the lines! Sometimes the world’s greatest discoveries were written in the margins as an after thought. Strive confidently in your journey and don’t be afraid to write in the margins. We are all liberated by the grace of God and the limitless options of the universe!

While admiring all the beauty of the universe you realize that life is not always filled with smiley faces and unicorns. Sometimes life throws you pile after pile of garbage like in the movie Wall-E. If you pay attention and listen hard you will always find the green plant.

This is especially true when dealing with other people that you really care about. It can be very painful if people do not share your vision for your life. Be like Wall-E and enjoy the heck out of Hello Dolly anyways!

Even if people criticize you and hurt your feelings they usually have some point of goodness that you can use to your benefit. Please focus on the green plant to make your journey more beautiful and clear the garbage away from your path for a better tomorrow.

Please focus on how liberating it is to find the beauty in everything!

Thanks for reading
Chris

Coming Attractions

A couple weeks ago I was very blessed to talk to a group of undergrads in an Integrated Marketing Communications class at Northwestern University. The favorite question I received after my presentation was “What movies are you looking forward to?”

At the time my answer was Sunshine Cleaning. I wrote the corresponding piece after I saw the movie the next day. http://www.chrisrathje.com/?p=155

Here is my current list of movies I am really looking forward to.

Away We Go (Limited Release starting in early June)

I feel such a strong connection to this movie I have easily watched the trailer over 100 times. I could easily call this movie Garden State 2 or Elizabethtown 2 because of the strong connection I feel and they are all stories based in unexpected travel and self discovery.

The story is about a couple who is expecting their first child and they ask themselves are they screwups? They realize they must move and change their lives, but they are terrified about the future. They know they love each other and that is what keeps them going.

(500) Days of Summer July 17th

To me this is a story of twenty something angst. Two people do not expect to find love, but they do. For some reason they seem to fight against it. Not sure why from the trailer. Do they really subscribe to different frequencies or are they just afraid? It looks like the story is told in a very interesting manner that reminds me of Definitely Maybe.

Three lines from the trailer that really stick out to me are:
1. This is not a love story.
2. What always happens? Life. (Life gets in the way.)
3. I don’t want to be over her, I want to get her back.

My responses are:
1. No one defines a love story. Any story can be a love story depending on your perspective. Don’t let others define your rules.
2. That is a true statement in today’s society, but why? We control our lives. If you truly love somebody or something go after it!
3. I love this statement because it is said with such conviction! Whether it is the right or wrong choice, he is making a stand and defining his own life!

Funny People July 31st

Wow! This looks like such a great movie! Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen teaming up a laugh fest is sure to ensue. Right? Not exactly.

This looks like a beautiful story of self exploration and the definition of happiness all based around a near death experience. I can relate, you appreciate your life so much more after you realize you almost lost it.

Carpe Diem and enjoy the movies!

Thanks for reading
Chris

Stoic is Not The Answer

I am probably the angriest I have ever been. It is because I have had to deal with everything in my life up to this point.

People staring at me in malls, kids making fun of me from when I was five years old and that was the easy part!

Taking ten years to learn to drive and dealing with low self esteem was the hard part. I can tell from pictures of when I was six years old I was a quad and doctors couldn’t figure it until I was 17?

And I’m the idioit here? I sat and took so much in my life. That is my bad.

PLEASE LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE!

Face your problems head on and don’t let other people give you crap. We are all equals we are all God’s children.

Don’t let ANYBODY tell you how to live your life or what you “should” do. No one walks your path except you!

Tell the world how you want to live your life! I have no idea where my path is headed. I feel lost, but I also know I’m going to take so much better care of myself.

Smug a-holes have been pushing me around my whole life and I realize I don’t have to sit there and take it anymore. I am a good, tough person and if someone wants to get fresh with me I’m not going to take it anymore.

I am not a smart man, I am not paticullarly gifted in any one area, but I am tough and I love everybody. That counts for something. I am a good person and deserve to be treated well.

We are all God’s children! Please love yourself. Treat yourself better by letting others know they are wrong about you.

You can be calm and cool when you do it, but you don’t have to just sit there and take it. I hurt myself by taking too much crap.

Please learn from my mistake. You are good and deserve to be treated well.

EVERYBODY DOES! Talk up today so you aren’t filled with rage tommorrow.

We are all flawed, but we are all equal.

Love everybody including yourself.

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE!

On the road to a better life.

Thanks for reading
Chris

Ownership Isn't Always Happiness

I’m just sitting here in my apartment and man do I feel like an idiot.

I have a ticket to a party that I spent a pretty penny on and I’m not going. I’m so filled with anger I don’t want my toxic feelings to affect others.

Most days I am so f-ing lonely and today I have a chance to change that and I am so filled with rage I can’t be around other people.

The reason I am so angry is because I am just realizing karma does not work how I thought it did.

I really have no idea how karma works anymore. I try to be the happiest, nicest person I can when inside I am sad and tired and running on absolute fumes.

I got nothing people. Make sure to take care of yourself because people can really mistreat you.

God is wonderful, but some of his children need to learn some lessons.

I take complete ownership of my life, but I refuse to be treated like crap anymore. I am going to win people and I’m not going to be a door mat anymore. It is no longer acceptable to verbally abuse me.

I have a very quick tounge I just usually keep it to myself.

I work my ass off and I am going to get mine. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but BS ain’t gonna cut it anymore.
Own your life people and strive for happiness. Don’t pigeon hole yourself. First and foremost I’m an athlete and a communicator. They are both very broad terms because no sport wants to fully accept me.

I’m a freaky CP who some think I am lying about my function. This is another gut shot because if nothing else, I am honest.

We all create our lives and I am learning that we must be very specific with our thoughts.

Don’t be naive like me, expect the best, but prepare for the worst. I assumed others had my back and I was wrong.

Take complete control of your life and be happy.

The world is filled with beautiful things. We must be open to many options and not rely on others or outside forces to satisfy our happiness.

I have learned a lot, but I haven’t gotten what I’ve earned. That isn’t acceptable anymore and I need to go back to the drawing board.

A new life starts NOW!

Chris the door mat is over! I’m gonna win people. I’m gonna win!

Thanks for reading
Chris

YOU OWN YOUR LIFE!

This post is dedicated to John C. Mayer of Bridgeport, CT.

He has inspired so much over the last eight years and has written at least half of the soundtrack to my twenties.

I am so honored to be able to follow him on Twitter. John is witty and wise. I could easily write a book on how much he has inspired me and I will someday.

There is nothing in paticular that led me to write this piece it just came to me after reading many different things he wrote on Twitter. John Mayer is so right on the money about so many different things.

Want to change, start today!

Want to eat standing up? Who’s stopping you!

You’re scared to do something that you know is good for you? Take the risk! Do It!

No one is stopping you from doing anything in your life! The economy doesn’t stop you and somebody telling me my hands work better then they do DOES NOT control how I react one iota.

You have to be tough and strong, but YOU CAN DO IT TODAY!

The past is over; don’t like something, CHANGE IT TODAY!

I OWN MY LIFE! WHO’S WITH ME?

Thanks for reading
Chris

Being Uncool, Can Be The Coolest

I am just testing out a theory in this piece and am open to input from the outside world to test my hypothesis.

I heard somewhere in the last seven to ten days that trying too hard to be smart can be stupid. I definitely agree with that statement. In my younger days I was insecure and would occasionally use words I didn’t fully understand.

I am still a very flawed man, but I know every word that I use in my writing. There is nothing wrong with using simple straightforward language and occasionally using a more advanced word for emphasis or to capture a complex situation.

I strive to find the good in everybody, but I struggle to recognize the good in people who act like they are so much better then the vast majority of humanity. I humbly ask if someone constantly acts like they are better then everyone else; aren’t they actually showing that they are worse?

We are all in this together and we are all God’s children. I have found that when someone is trying too hard to be this or that they are actually being the opposite.

I know people mock my enthusiasm, but I can’t hide the joy I get from my life. For many years I hid who I really was because I was afraid of the criticism. People openly would compliment me for holding back my cheering or “playing it cool”.

I know I am a big fat dork and sometimes I act like a four year old on Christmas morning, but that is who I really am! I know I am uncool and for the first time in my life I’m not ashamed to say it. Uncool is the coolest version of me that I can be.

Please don’t be afraid to be who you really are or who you want to be!

Anything is possible!

Thanks for reading
Chris
chris.rathje@gmail.com

Listen to Your Body :)

I had plans to write two pieces tonight, but it’s just not going to happen.

I’m tired. In years past I would have pushed through, but my body is telling me to chill out.
I must say in the last few weeks I am taking better care of myself and it feels great. Its really pretty simple, but I’ve never done it before to this extent.

1. When I’m tired, I go to sleep.
2. When I’m hungry, I eat.
3. When I have to go to the bathroom, I drop what I am doing and go to the bathroom.

There is nothing wrong with being human. Please learn from all my years of mistakes. Be good to yourself. I’m trying to be better to myself.

Thanks for reading
Chris
chris.rathje@gmail.com

I Am Free!

Writing the last piece was EXTREMELY liberating for me, I have worked hard, played by the rules and I still haven’t gotten a sniff of what I’ve desired.

I’m okay with that because I work in God’s time not my own. I am flawed and I don’t understand why I have to struggle so much when all I do is work my tail off and help others, but that is not for me to decide. I just have to continue to do my best.

I’m a mess up and a screw up, but I’ve yet to meet someone with a bigger heart then me. I REALLY go after what I want with no excuses and no apologies. Many people have said I am so lucky to be at Lakeshore, which I am, but I made my luck. I took less money and had the courage to move down here not really knowing anyone expect Kevin. It doesn’t take talent to be down here, all it takes is determination.

I have had many people back home and other places tell me it takes real guts to move like I did, but I honestly don’t see it. I hated my life before, why shouldn’t I change it?

I am going on fumes right now, but I have a responsibility to myself and my dreams to keep going. I told one of my best friends yesterday I still plan on going to London and I could tell from his voice inflexion he didn’t believe me. I am SICK and TIRED of people discounting me. I promise you Big Boy we will be in the opening ceremonies together.

I have no idea how this is going to happen, but it will. I want it more then anyone else on the planet. I know how hard people work to make it happen and I work harder then most. Just in case anyone doubts my claims my door is always open in Bama. I promise you will be a better, tougher athlete after one week with me.

Part of me feels lost because I can’t make any traction, but I am also soaring like an eagle. What do I have to lose? Nothing!

I know I am the real deal and for the first time in my life I have the courage to say it. I have tried REALLY hard to please people, but have gotten nowhere. Believe whatever you want to believe. It is your right as a human being. I KNOW where I’m going!

I say it loud and proud everyone will know me before the London opening ceremonies and my dreams will come true in about 3.5 years. I will be a Paralympian representing the red white and blue!

The law of attraction is very real and I will get exactly what I want out of life. I am hungry, I am good and I will win!

No matter what your dream is there is only one opinion that matters. YOURS!

Keep working until you win. I WILL WIN SOON!
Thank You!
Chris
chris.rathje@gmail.com

Please Pass The Tube

I’ve got some recent criticism for not being as happy as I usually am, but I’ve also gotten some praise for being honest. So I am going to continue to speak my truth.

Back in 2001 I was having a philosophical conversation with my friends Grant and Stouty. Grant (T12) and Stouty (T6-T7) happen to have spinal cord injuries. They were both envious of the fact that I didn’t have to catheterize in order to go to the bathroom.

I told them I would gladly catheterize if it meant I could have full use of my hands. I would like to amend that comment nearly eight years later. I would catheterize with pleasure everyday for the rest of my life if people really understood what my hands were and were not capable of.

I am tired of everyone thinking I am just some stupid CP. Every time I mess up it’s because I’m stupid, every time I do something good it is because I have so much function.

Back in early 2008 I had the rugby game of my life to that point. I scored the game tying goal with 3 seconds left to send it into overtime and scored the game winning goal in overtime. Afterwards one of the refs came up to me and said “Man you have a lot of function for a CP.” Is it possible that I’m just a good player? No.

I swear on my life I have below average function for someone with CP. I have worked my butt off since I was nine years old to get every ounce out of my body and I am extremely tired of being punished for it.

Every classification system I can think of is based on the medical world and this is where the problem lies. The medical world has been making terrible assumptions for a long time and it has to stop.

When I was four years old I went to therapy four times a week. At some point I remember just collapsing. I was so tired and so sore I couldn’t stop crying. In my four year old head I was lazy and stupid because I had to go down to therapy twice a week and I still couldn’t walk.

Then when I was seven we did 17 reconstructive surgeries in a very short period of time. During the rehab a substitute therapist pushed me way too hard. It hurt so badly and she wouldn’t let me sit down. I literally punched her in the head four or five times until she would let me sit down. If that wasn’t hard enough my leg reconstruction was cutting edge at the time, so I was the topic at some lecture. Dr. James Fisk actually had the audacity to say I would never live on my own, drive a car or walk. Two of three isn’t bad :) Remember I was SEVEN and sitting right there in the front row. That is emotional child abuse.

I have no idea if that is still happening today, but from talking to many other people with cerebral palsy over the last few weeks I have concluded that it happened for many more years after my formative years.

You can’t miraculously make cerebral palsy go away. I worked and worked and worked and my legs didn’t work and my hands didn’t work. The medical community stripped away my self esteem one session at a time. You don’t grow out of an injury no matter what the origin.

It is a wrong premise that has to stop today. A very experienced rugby player told me if you play like a certain class after three years of hard work you are that class. Same thing is true with therapy, if a kid can’t do something after five years, adapt, don’t just keep pushing. Therapists tried to get me to walk up until I was 16. My four year old self was a genius for just stopping and crying. In twelve plus years it never got any less painful.

No matter what you are going through long sustained pain is a sign to change or reevaluate. Pain is bad.

I know I don’t have medical credentials, but I have lived my life and that should count for a lot. The sad thing is, as I talk to more people with cerebral palsy I realize my story is way more common then I wish it was.

This goes for anyone. The time to change things is now. I refuse to live in a world anymore where it is okay to call me a spazz. I will live in a world where people stop making archaic assumptions and start really seeing what I am capable of. I am a proud quad and what I have accomplished on and off the court is due to my hard work, not because I am some freak who has all these countless advantages.

This is way bigger then sports, this is about life.

I am so hurt because I deal with all the crap from the able bodied world that every disabled person deals with, but I also deal with this constant misunderstanding of who I am from the disabled world too. It is a sad truth that I relish the able bodied world’s prejudices in comparison to what I get from my disabled brothers and sisters.

Please never call me a spazz again and think twice before you make an assumption. I have bladder spasms just like everybody else.

Thanks for reading
Chris

Blazing a Trail in a Rugby Chair

This past week has been very challenging for me. Not getting a tryout for the Developmental National Team was so gut wrenching it is beyond words. The reason it is so difficult for me is because I KNOW I would be an extremely valuable member of the team.

Unfortunately wheelchair rugby uses a system to classify hands that does not capture the true level of my impairment. All my muscles are still alive, but they don’t work the way they should. They are slow and clunky and get worse with physical exercise. There is nothing I can do to change this at the moment. It just stinks that I have to wait another two years of my physical prime to see some justice. I remind myself everyday to be thankful for God’s time and to not worry about my own.

In a weird way it has been a blessing in disguise. I have had so many people give me their support over the last week it has been incredible! The system is still very flawed, but the love I feel from the rugby world has never been greater.

One of my greatest supporters was Tom Vesco of Vesco Metal Craft. Tom sent me a great message of support and it was very touching to me. After playing one season of rugby in 2004-2005 I realized a used chair that didn’t fit was not going to cut it.

I called around to the different wheelchair companies and finally decided to get a Vesco. I was very nervous about getting a rugby chair because no one had ever built a chair for a cerebral palsy ball handler before in the United States. I was worried chair manufacturers wouldn’t realize I could feel my legs and they wouldn’t realize my legs are constantly jumping up and down out of my control.

Tom and Neil are very solutions oriented people. They suggested I just come out to the shop in San Diego and they would measure me for the chair themselves. My parents gave me my Christmas present three months early that year; I got a plane ticket from Chicago to San Diego.

Tom, Neil and I become a team in how to make me the best rugby chair. We made some assumptions, some were right, some were wrong, but that is what happens when you are trailblazers. Perfection was never the goal, positive growth was. We assumed I would be able to do things with my hands and trunk that I never was able to, but how were we supposed to know this at the time?

I promise making mistakes is one thousand times better then never trying. I look at my 26 inch wheels and wish I had the quick starting of 25 inch wheels. Because of my function loss in my hands I want to move to 25 inch tires, but that doesn’t make my 26 inch tires bad.



I’m proud of my 26 inch wheels because it is a symbol of my innovation and willingness to keep trying things despite barriers.

I was used to 26 inch tires from basketball. When I played college wheelchair basketball I had the worst hands in the league. If anyone touched the ball while I was holding it I was going to turn it over. The one thing I had going for me was my height.

I have long arms and could even block some high function players thanks to my wingspan. I was ALWAYS guarded by shorter players. So I learned to put the ball above my head with two arms that way no one could steal the ball from me. With 26 inch tires I was one inch taller. The way my basketball logic worked back then was all based on stable height. So many people were faster then me, I just didn’t want to cause turnovers the few times I got to touch the ball.

Pushing with 26 inch tires creates interesting advantages and disadvantages. It just seemed like the right thing for me to do to keep doing what I was doing while playing basketball.

I love rugby with all my heart, but it has not been easy. It has been and continues to be a roller coaster. It is nice to have someone to have my back through the twist and turns like the Vescos. I am venturing a guess that no one in rugby has as messed up feet as me that they CAN FULLY FEEL. This creates some interesting challenges and we are still figuring things out. I am currently on my third foot plate and the Vescos have never charged me an extra dime.

People, who know me, know that I am wired differently. I don’t see companies as companies, they are people. Red from Eagle is an excellent man and his son Tate is one of my favorite people in rugby, but I can only have one chair. I’ll keep blazing my trail in the chair with the yellow wheels.

Thanks for reading! Anything is possible!
Chris

Fight Sin & Win! (An Easter Message)

This piece is dedicated to Pastor Marty of Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois.

 I have disliked church most of my life because of the crowds of people and loud music is just a lot for my damaged central nervous system to take in, but I’ve always had faith.

 I was telling my parents just this morning I wish I could hear Pastor Marty’s sermons without having to deal with everything else.

 I was on edge through the music while everyone stood up and people surrounded me, but it was worth it because I got to listen to Pastor Marty’s sermon.

 Pastor Marty eloquently discussed different kinds of sin.  There is sin you accept and there is sin you fight.  He encouraged us all to fight more sin then we ever have before.  He told us that if we choose to fight more sin then ever before the hardest year of our lives lay ahead.

 I KNOW he is right because this past year I have fought harder against sin then ever before.

 When I talk about sin for this piece I would like to use the original meaning without religious connotation so people of all faiths can be united in this journey.

 Sin in its original form literally translates to miss the mark.

 I missed the mark when I was younger because I hated myself and was so sad.  I missed the mark as a young adult because I accepted the sub standard roads of what I “should” do.

 I do what I want to do now by the grace of God and the joy that the universe plants in my heart.  I love everybody and everything because that is what God wants.  I sin everyday because of fear and other emotions, but I own it and bring it out in the light.  I still have fear I just refuse to hide it anymore.

 I am a sinner and a screwup, but God still looks out for me!  I promise you no matter what, he is looking out for you today and everyday.

 The sin of yesterday does not matter.  God will release you from past mistakes today or any day when you accept the love of the universe.

 I have a lot of faith today and know it is here to stay.   Anyone can say they have faith in good times, but it takes conviction to have faith in lesser times.

 I am blessed because all of my necessities are taken care of, but find myself bare because the desire cupboard is so empty .

 I have less money then ever, the loneliness of my heart continues to build everyday and my sports career stays stagnant due to many factors, which I have little control over, but I still KNOW I am BLESSED!

 I know God and I have the same destination in mind because he is the one who wrote the directions in my heart.  I don’t understand his unseen barriers and detours or his timing.

 That is not my concern!  God will take care of me today and everyday.  The only thing I focus on is giving my best everyday.  I promise that all God wants is for us to give our best and try to raise the bar a little higher each day!

 Happy Easter Everyone!  God Bless and as always thanks for reading!

Chris

Restless Rathje, Endless Energy and Faith

As the title indicates I am very tired.  There has been times in my life I have been sadder, there has been times I have been WAY more depressed, but I can’t remember a time I was more tired.

 I’m not a victim and I don’t let negative energy take over my soul.  I keep doing what I feel is right and everyday my hole keeps getting deeper.  I’m okay with that because with every piece of dirt being removed my mountain keeps getting higher.

 All I have ever REALLY wanted to do in my life is play sports.  Sure I listen to music, and watch certain TV shows and movies, but that’s really just recharging my brain with ideas for writing.

 I have this connection with certain movies.  I think it is God’s way of communicating with me in certain junctures in my life.  On Thursday I discovered a trailer for a movie called Away We Go.  It spoke to me so loudly I have probably watched the clip over sixty times already.

 The first sound in the trailer is the question ”Are we screw-ups?”

 I can relate with this so well the only fitting word to describe the situation is scary.

 I have ignored lucrative work opportunities, not drank a drop of alcohol in over two years and I can’t remember what month it was when another human being entered my apartment for a social visit, all in name of my dreams that keep putting up barrier after barrier after barrier.  I keep helping person after person all in the name of karma and I can’t get one break when it comes to the only thing I REALLY want.

 I have been blessed to be around hundreds of Paralympians over the last nine years.  Some get how blessed they are and others take their blessings so for granted it makes me want to puke and cry at the same time.  I would give every luxury I have for a real level playing field in one sport. 

 It looks like I am not going to get a break in the short run and I am as far from okay as I can be, but I’m staying put.  I have no idea how I can possibly make it through another year of this, but I know I will.  I am one tough nut, but the reason I am going to prosper is not I.  It is the grace of God.  I have been running on fumes since February and every single thing that kept me going is gone and did not happen.

 999 out of 1000 people would leave and never look back..  I am the one who is staying.  I am a screw up, I am sloppy and I am sad, but my faith cannot be matched.

 I have already put in so much, why quit now?  THE ODDS DON’T APPLY TO ME!  I don’t look in the natural world.  I look in the supernatural world of my minds eye.  My dreams are coming and you can book it!

 No matter what you are facing God provides in the long run.  Don’t get too overwhelmed by the false constraint that the human mind creates.  Time is an illusion.

 I know it sounds weird and confusing, but joy is causing this.  I just don’t want anything else  a tenth as bad as this.  I know I am one of the “freaks” of the sport I get that, but why I am always on the outside?

 The only way I can rationalize it is to show how bad I really want it.  I an a screw up who keeps squeak, squeak, squeaking.  I’m lucky because I have everything I need, but what happens when you get nothing you want and the desire doesn’t go away or change.

 I really don’t know.  I’ve taken a departure, but that’s how shattered I feel.

 Just in this moment I remember I determine my life.  I’m gonna keep smiling even though I don’t know why.

 God gave me a call from my buddy Robb and some stupid lowbrow television laughs that was enough to make it through the night and tomorrow, God will give me enough to make it through the day.

 I sit here and wonder do people really understand how consistently I have wanted this or do they think its melodrama?  Do people really realize how systematically I have been excluded or do they think I am a whiner?

 I know I am telling the truth so He will be okay with me.

 This Energizer Bunny is running out of juice and the 3 D world has nowhere to recharge that I can see. Somehow, someway I am going to make it up the mountain and anyone else can too!

 I feel like I reached a new level of clueless screw-up, but I still have faith I am going to make it to the top.

 Thanks for reading

Chris 

The Mountain Just Got A Little Higher

I would like to apologize if the post offended anyone yesterday, but I do not regret anything and I take nothing back.  I am a very positive person, but the operative word is person.  I’M A HUMAN BEING!  Just like everybody else I’m flawed.  I’m not made of candy and unicorns, I am a human being made of bone and blood.

 The reason I wrote I am a horrible whiny jerk is because that is how I felt.  I got devastating news yesterday, but that did not control my reaction.  I got red in the face with anger and cried and the fact that I had such a negative reaction bothered me to the core.  I did not like my reaction, but I’m not afraid of it. Bring things out into the light and see what happens.  Embrace how you feel and move onward and upward.

 One of my favorite lyrics of all time is by Jason Mraz. 

 It takes a hole to build a mountain.

 The hole just reached its deepest levels ever not because of yesterday, but because of everything that happened before it in addition to yesterday.

 I am no victim, I sign up for these ground rules that treat me unfairly year after year after year because my heart just won’t shut up.  Sports in a vacuum give me so much joy.  I am just incredibly tired of playing under a different set of rules because I have a different origin of my disability.

 This has to stop and I will be the leader in the cause.  Kids with cerebral palsy need to know they are just different, not worse and sports classification plays a huge role in this.  I have had low self esteem most of my life.  Every kid with a disability gets a large dose of self-hatred from the able bodied community, but when you have  CP you get a double dose within the disabled community.  We are not spazzs, we are not jokes and we are not failures because are bodies work differently.

 My vision doesn’t change I am still going to London and Chicago as an athlete.  The path takes a detour, but it does not change.  I got places to go and I am still headed to my final destination.

 The skies are very hazy, but that’s okay because my mountain is higher then ever.

 I Love Everyone!  Thank You!

Chris

I Am A Horrible Whiny Jerk

I feel like a horrible person today. I feel like a shell of myself and I hate it.

My heart is broken. A member of the opposite sex did not cause this break to occur, a sport did! All I have ever wanted to do since 3rd grade is play sports and I have been systematically excluded from success.

It’s all because when I was a baby I didn’t have enough sense to break my neck. Silly me, got oxygen deprivation and hurt my central nervous system instead. I should have known better, but they just don’t teach you these things when you are a minute old.

You know how miserable my childhood was because I could never figure out how to get my hands to work like the therapists said they should.

Do you know how wonderful it feels to be introduced to a community of people who struggle just like you do? And how gut wrenching it is when your new brothers mock you because you can crawl or go down a ramp a little easier.

People seem to forget how hard it is for me to drive and people have no idea what is like to use only one eye at a time or what a startle reflex is really like? A startle reflex is a lie that CP constantly sends to your brain. It tells you to stop every time you do something right. Take a push STOP! Pass the ball STOP! Catch the ball STOP! You try too hard to fight it and some sloppy things are going to happen.

Please ask the Lakeshore staff how many countless hours I have tried to retrain my startle reflex and the ridiculous amount of hours I spend in the weight room and fieldhouse trying to live up to a 3.0 standard I now realize I can not.

The league has no problem taking my 10-20 hours a week of volunteer work, but God forbid I want a fair classification so I have the same opportunities as everybody else. I have big dreams and it is hard to see court time on any team if you are 1.0 higher then you should be. I have gone to ridiculous lengths to get court time on other teams and no body seems to notice.

I am mean, I am horrible and I am not myself because I so distraught. All these negative words describe me because of my mind set, but I refuse to accept that the pats on the heads and the shrugs of the shoulders are going to cut it anymore.

What is the point of a classification system? We would not have a sport if Duncan Campbell and his teammates sat back and did nothing like I and the rest of my CP and polio siblings are being asked to do. Lets try some new things; we just want a fair shot. When people tell me one more year, my response is I have already waited 18.

Basketball punched me in the mouth so I put my hope in track. I was fast among my CP peers after many years of hard work just in time for the IPC to eliminate my Paralympic dreams. For Beijing they kept CP field so I picked it up. In less then a year I broke the US record in four events, but was nowhere near the world record. I knew I wasn’t going to make Beijing last summer by the time May rolled around, but I thought since I had four US Records I would at least go to my own nationals in Arizona. Nope, it was considered an international meet using international standards. I was not allowed to compete in my own nationals after earning four national records.

CPs are systematically kept from success and I am the squeaky wheel that is not going to quiet down until there is change. The next time someone tells me to be patient take a moment to think what I have already endured.

Like I said I am a whiny horrible jerk. I am very very tired and I just want a level playing field so I can close my eyes and see one or two dreams come to pass.

I still love everybody, the status quo of the system just breaks my heart.

Thanks for reading
Chris

The Sun Shines on Everyone!

This is connected to my last post. In the closing minutes of my speech yesterday, some of the students asked me questions. They were all great and I appreciate every single one, but the one that stuck out to me the most was if there were any current movies that spoke to me.

 I explained to them how my mind was not set to movies like it had been in the past, but Sunshine Cleaning had stuck out to me and I hoped to see it while I was up in Chicago.   I saw it today and I was encouraged by what I saw.

 I apologize in advance; this is not going to be the most organized, well thought out piece I’ve ever written. My mind is not in that place right now and so my work cannot be either.

 I did not have my usual laser focus while watching this movie, my mind wandered, but it was still wonderful.   The characters in Sunshine Cleaning were far from perfect, but they were all beautiful in their own way.

 The color scheme of the entire movie set a subtle surreal tone for the entire journey and it just helped drive home the point that what most people see as ugly or disgusting has its own beauty.

 Be Different!  Have the courage to be the kid who licks the wall, recognize the kindness of the one armed man and recognize the service you are providing by cleaning up gruesome areas.

 Sunshine Cleaning had so many beautiful themes that were similar to its distant cousin movie Little Miss Sunshine, but it stood alone as well.  Sunshine Cleaning seemed more raw to me; it seemed a little dirtier.

 It reminds me of so many people who are a little rough around the edges.   I encourage anyone who knows someone that fits this description to give them a chance. You never know what they had to go through to make those edges rough.

 People assume my life is so hard because I use a wheelchair.  To be blunt the wheelchair and the physical challenges that go along with it are the easy part.  People who have horrible attitudes and project their weakness on me are the cripples, not me.  I’m tough, I’m robust and I will prosper in the New Mexico desert of Sunshine Cleaning.

 I know I am ugly and scary to so many just like the one armed man, but I try extremely hard to love everybody.  Little kids love talking to me and that’s enough of a reassurance I am doing something right.  They haven’t been told to dislike this person or that person yet.  They still listen to their hearts and love everybody.

 I got a little rougher and a little rawer today as my patience continues to wane on a topic that is closest to my heart, but I’m okay with that if it means I can go to a world where I fit in better with the boy who licks walls, the one armed man and the crime scene cleaners.

 Sunshine is an equal opportunity element. Always keep joy in your heart, give your best and uplift others!  It doesn’t matter where you come from, it matters where you are going : )

 This one is again dedicated to my undergrad IMC buddies, barriers are going to come, people are going to piss on your head and tell you it’s raining, but be strong!

 Declare I got places to go and nothing is going to stop me!  The odds of failure are only for those weak chumps who buy into what they “should” do and what they “should” expect!

 The greatness train is coming and it’s got a squeaky wheel so everybody can hear it coming.  Squeak! Squeak!

 Thanks for reading

Chris

Expanding The Zone

I would like to apologize for the long time between posts.  The end of the rugby season and a new project that wrapped up yesterday took up vast amounts of my time. 

 My new project that wrapped up yesterday excites me because it is a new forum for me to share my ideas.  Yesterday I had the privilege to speak to an undergrad class at the Integrated Marketing Communications program at the Medill School, Northwestern University.

 I had the great privilege to earn my masters degree from the same program in 2005.

 In my talk I obviously spoke quite a bit about marketing, but I tried to also talk about life.

 Here were the ground rules for our conversation:

 1. Have some fun 

2. At some point I am going to mess up (and contrary to popular belief that’s okay)

3.  Life is not about perfection; life is about growth

4. Take away what you want and dispose of the rest

 These points are chrisrathje.com regulars and I don’t think I need to expound on them in this post, but I am proud of these points and I hope the students learned something yesterday because I really enjoyed working with them and they allowed me to realize something.

 A large part of my conversation was a part called the Evanston Lessons.  Evanston is a city directly north of Chicago where a large part of the Northwestern campus is located.

 On one slide I talked about my four favorite movies during the 15 months I lived in Evanston.  I enjoy movies so much and for some reason these four just spoke to me.

 At some point either on chrisrathje.com or Soup Fork: The Book, I will share exactly what I shared with the class, however for now I would like to focus on how I felt.

 I was happy, excited and flat out pumped about my conversation with the students, but by the time I was discussing Elizabethtown, my favorite movie and the impact it had on my life  I was in the zone.  A force much greater then myself had taken over and the address of my mind was the zone in all directions.

 It is the exact same feeling I have when I have not realized four hours have gone by sitting in front of my desktop.

 Thank you Wildcats for helping me to expand my zone, please remember there is nothing special about me whatsoever.  I just follow the joy that is planted in my heart.  Following my joy has allowed me to expand my zone and following your joy can help anyone discover his or her zone or expand it.

 All students of life please remember to love your life and your path.  Barriers are sure to come, but no matter what hardship might come follow the joy.  Don’t worry about the big world.  Just worry about your zone, raise it to new heights and expand it when the time is right.

 Life is far from perfect, but it is beautiful!  :)  I know I am sloppy sometimes and I know I am stupid sometimes, but I’m going to keep eating life’s soup one forkful at a time!

 God bless everyone, thanks for reading

Chris

Live from Louisville

Hey Everyone

I’m sorry I have been MIA for the last few days. I have been very busy getting ready and participating in rugby nationals.

I am so blessed to be around such an amazing rugby family. There are nothing but wins in my heart because of all the wonderful people and experiences I get to be surrounded by.

As athlete of the year Nick Springer says “We are all in this together!”

All the players are SO SO thankful for the contributions that the volunteers give so selflessly to our sport.

We Love Rugby!

THANK YOU!
Chris

My Apology to the Utrecht Scorpions

I had to do something yesterday that I never like to do. I went back on my word.

The thing I love to do more then anything in the world is play wheelchair rugby.

I love to do it so much I will go anywhere on the globe to play it. After being a guest player for South Florida, Manitoba and Midwest Rebels I realize the power of playing rugby anywhere I can.

After the December 2008 tryouts for Team USA 2009, I was under the impression that there would be no Team USQRA for 2009. So I started searching for off-season playing opportunities on the Internet. I found out about the tournament in Amsterdam and was soon shooting many e-mails back and forth between Europe and Alabama.

The Utrecht Scorpions graciously offered for me to play with them in Amsterdam in mid-June. I was very excited about the prospect and had full intentions of going up until a couple of days ago.

Team USQRA has yet to be selected, but if I am blessed enough to be selected I will be in Brazil at the same time that Amsterdam tournament is going on. My biggest dream in life is to put on the red, white and blue. I must set my mind for it and have no barriers in the way. I'm guaranteed nothing and open to whatever the universe has to offer.

I am writing this to send the deepest apology I know how to the Scorpions. I also want them to know that I will do whatever I can to help them out. If there is any experienced 2.0-3.0 that would like to go to Amsterdam in mid-June please contact me at chris.rathje@gmail.com and I will relay information.

Scorpions, thank you for your generosity I will do whatever I can to help you.

I hope you realize my heart was pure, but circumstances just didn't work out.

I wish you nothing but the best and hope we can work together some other time.

Thanks for your time
Chris

The Michigan Lessons

This one is dedicated to my coach Kevin, my teammate Bryan, and my buddy Matt from TNT.

On last Thursday I headed to Michigan with the attitude “Let's go have one of the best weekends of our lives boys!” Even I didn't realize how accurate I was.

The first lesson of the weekend came while Lakeshore and TNT were waiting for our flight to Michigan in O'Hare. Both teams were sitting there waiting for our flight and I was sitting right next to Matt.

He had a hard spasm and the bag he was carrying in his lap fell to the ground. I knew the situation very well. Whether it's the contents of my wallet spilling all over the grocery store floor, the mail spilling all over the place or knocking the ball out of my own lap, I have felt ashamed of my spasms thousands of times in my life.

This is why Matt gave me such a valuable lesson. When I picked up Matt's bag from the ground he just smiled and said “Thanks!” No shame or embarrassment. Matt knows who he is and knows a little spasm doesn't define him.

I am a very stubborn person when it comes to certain things. I wouldn't be a fraction of how successful I am without that stubbornness, but I also know it leads to flaws. I'm always hungry to prove I can do things myself even when if I just asked for help it would make my life easier.

I'm not a bad person because I can't pick up coins from the ground quickly and I'm not a weak person for accepting help. God gives us talents and flaws for a reason. We must rely on one another to get the most out of life.

I try extremely hard to practice this in my life. I hope my love and support for my teammates shines through. I hope I am productive voice from the bench and court.

It warmed my heart to see us play so well against Ohio to start the weekend off right and I was really excited to get out there and play myself. I was frantic trying to force my body to do things it didn't want to do, but then Kevin told me one of the wisest things I've ever heard. “Only focus on things you can control. Right now you can’t control your body.”

I just naturally assume I can control my body, but Kevin is right on the money. My hands and torso do not appreciate how hard I have pushed them since 2000, they are rebelling and telling me I need to get smarter.

Something I realized over the last several months is to bring your fear out into the light. That way the fear cannot get you later on. I openly admitted to my team how scared I really was about what my body was doing. I even shed a few tears and Bryan picked me right up

He said it was time for “No Fear.” And he was right!

Over the course of the weekend Bryan and other vets showed me how to conserve energy and become a smarter player. Talking calmly and confidently really does work better and saves a lot of energy. There are still times I talk too much, but I now know why and will discuss further in a later post.

I'm really blessed to be part of such an amazing team and I'm really proud of the entire heartland sectional. I think all eight teams that were there our on their way up. No team there was perfect, but we are all improving from where we began. After all life isn't about perfection, life is about growth. The heartland is growing and I proud to be involved in that growth.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for selecting me to get the sportsmanship award. I would have been extremely embarrassed if I received an award like that in the past. I would have thought that getting singled out like that was somehow wrong because of my low self-esteem, but I now realize its okay to be me.

I mess up all the time, but I still try to let the light that shines in my heart become visible to everyone else. Everyone else makes it so easy. I get to be a member of a special team, who gets the privilege to play a special sport.

Less than 1% of the population understands what it is like to be us. We might wear different colored jerseys during the game, but I've yet to meet an opponent. We are all family!

Thanks for reading
Chris

100 Passes

I did a light pushing and ball handling workout in the Lakeshore Fieldhouse last night.

One of the main weaknesses of my game is passing. Getting my arms and hands to do what they need to do when I want them to do it. So before I left for the night I decided to get a hundred clean passes and catches off the wall.

I was quite tired and sore from a weekend of rugby with my hands and abs yelling at me like never before, but that is just temporary. Being a champion in everything you do lasts forever.

My first attempt at a hundred ended at 10. My second attempt ended at 18. My third attempt ended at 37. My fourth attempt I got in a really nice flow and made it all the way to 61 before my mind slipped on a catch.

I got so angry at myself I couldn’t think straight and I could only muster four on the fifth attempt. I had a flash of a self doubting mental thought, “just give up it doesn’t matter!”

We all control our own lives and for many I’m sure it doesn’t matter, but nothing matters more to me. I have places to go in my life and I need to become a better player to make that happen.

I regrouped mentally before my right hand slipped on number 26 of the sixth attempt. I started damming my own arms for not doing what I wanted them to do, but that was a horrible attitude. My mind always controls my arms if I have a firm enough mindset.

On the seventh attempt I finally hit 100 and I was in such a good flow I hit 200 without a flub of any kind. 200 is my new standard and by sometime soon a thousand will be. Set your mind for what you really want and go get it!

I am far from perfect I really wanted to quit after attempt four and attempt six, but my mind knows what is coming and would not let me stop. KNOWING where you are going before it even seems rational is how people make things happen.

At 22 I doubted my dreams as a nine-year-old because I couldn’t push with a ball in my lap. At 27 I now realize my nine year old self was brilliant because it had the guts to say someday Chicago is going to host the Paralympics and I’m going to win a gold medal.

I constantly say life is not about perfection, it’s about growth. I fell 6 times and wouldn’t let myself quit. On the seventh attempt I got twice of what I wanted.

Have the guts to say what you really want and go get it. This is not an easy process, but it is a simple one. Expect more from yourself then you ever thought possible. If you follow your dreams, put forth maximum effort and uplift others. Anything is possible!

I challenge you to love something in your life you never loved before. Man I loved when my arms didn’t work the way I wanted them to because it showed how strong my mind really is.

Love your life and bless the world!

Thanks for reading
Chris

Sondtrack For My Mind!

I just finished putting together the perfect soundtrack for how I want to set my mind for this weekend.

1. Break Away by Kelly Clarkson
I don’t like how I have been treated most of my life by most people. I choose to declare that I no longer subject myself to that anymore. I break away from those feelings today and everyday here forward.

2. Bigger Then My Body by John Mayer
We are always more then our limitations. I have been weak in the past. Time for a change. At some point this weekend I am going to throw a bad pass or miss a ball. One play never defines me. WE ARE WAY TO BIG TO LET ONE PLAY GET US DOWN!

3. The Remedy (I Won’t Worry!) Jason Mraz

Have Fun! There is nothing that is going to happen to us that we can’t handle. It has been said, many times before I think way too much. Time to let the brain be quiet and just love everybody and everything.

“You Can Turn Off The Sun and We Are Still Going To Shine!”

I don’t know why God gives me such good music to play in my head. I know the universe knows how thankful I am and how I am constantly striving to improve myself and empower others. I fail so often and am humbled, but I set my mind for what I really want and try ” to shine some light on my friends!”

More on this topic to come in the future, but I realized something today sitting in O’Hare Airport. The ordinary requires extraordinary effort for me. I don’t know anyone else who took a decade to learn how to drive. Now that the extraordinary has become ordinary for me I can tune into the exact life I want. God has planted huge dreams in my heart!

I am not appreciating the light that has been given to me unless I push the envelope in a way that pleases the universe.

I am confident for the first time in my life. I’m going to make things happen!

Thank you everyone! Life is a team sport and you are my legendary team! May we all grow and be blessed.

Thanks for reading!
Chris

St. Patty’s Blessings Brought to You by Brenda and Renee

God works in mysterious ways. This piece is exhibit #1. I received and replied to emails from two wonderful people today.

My fantastic cousin Brenda and my equally amazing friend Renee, everyone knows about my beloved Brenda from yesterday, but here is a little about Renee.

First of all Renee is not a person, she is a petit blonde force of nature. The word can’t is not in her vocabulary.

The strongest memory I have of Renee is when we were both refused interviews by the same Fortune 500 Company in our final term at Northwestern. I do not like to drink, but the song Alcohol by Brad Paisley rocked out for a reason from my dorm room on that night. As I wandered to different apartments and pubs that night many people were around, but only Renee understood why I wasn’t my normal chipper self.

I was deeply wounded by the rejection. From our best statistical analysis from Nevin’s Pub we determined we were the only two students who applied that did not get interviews.

Really? We were the bottom of the barrel?

Nope! Not even close! Someone made assumptions about us that were false based off a piece of paper.

Lesson 1: Always give somebody the benefit of the doubt. Diamonds in the rough are real and your patience will be rewarded.

Brenda the next lesson I was trying to write last night and couldn’t think of the right words.

Lesson 2: Other people’s rush judgments are your blessings, have the courage to see it in the moment.

Even back in Evanston in October 2005 I dreamed of Lakeshore, but didn’t have the courage to just say it. God sent me clues like the Alabama quarter I received at the Century Theater when I uncharacteristically didn’t have exact change.

I know Renee loves Michigan because of Shawn and the hairless wonder dog Ziggy. I am pushing towards the only things I have ever wanted since 3rd grade in Alabama. None of this would be possible if we were given the chances we had earned. Everything happens for a reason, it sometimes takes a while for the story to unfold.


Lesson 3: Find a way to have fun even if it seems silly! If it makes you happy, do it! Clap your hands, make a noise or dance an Irish jig!

Lesson 4: I am far from perfect, but I’m still having a blast. Face what worries you in the light and it can’t get you in the shadows!

Lesson 5: Sometimes the steps are painful and tedious along the way. The days that hurt or are confusing I need to pray harder and believe in my dreams even more!

Lesson 6: This is not a birth right. It can be taken away at any moment if I stop following my dreams, stop giving maximum effort and stop being good to others.
Lesson 7: Next time you see somebody in need; help them even if you don’t think you have the time. God will make up the time and then some!

This final one is dedicated to my baby cuz, soon to be college graduate, but it can be applied to anyone of any age!

MAKE THESE THE BEST WEEKS OF YOUR LIFE! Laugh Harder! Smile More!
Nothing ever ends unless you want it to. Time is a limitation of a human mind. College is not a time; college is a feeling!

I honestly feel like I have the courage to be three ages all at once and none of these are my age according to the calendar.

I am four because I am so happy about everything! I remember not being able to lift my arms at all and then all the sudden I saw the reflection in the mirror at therapy. First the right, then the left, it was really ME LIFTING MY ARMS!

I am twenty because all I really care about is the sport that drives me. I’m at the end of my sophomore year of college. I know the sport now, but I need to keep pushing more. I know the sacrifices that need to be made, but I must stay disciplined and focused. It is up to me where I end up.

I am ageless because God takes the little amount of talent I have earned and magnifies it to help others through his words.
Life is an ever evolving document. Things will change someday. I will meet people that will continue to change my life. I will have more responsibilities, but I will also have more resources! My inner ages will have to adjust, but joy will always drive me.
Yeah Buddy! Think Green! Be Happy!

Brenda & Renee are very special people that God wants me to help. God has also taught me when he gives me a gift, share it with it as many people as I can.

I hope you enjoyed my blessings!

Thanks for reading
Chris

The Brenda Lessons

I am an only child. The closest I come to blood siblings is my first cousins. I am the oldest cousin on the Rathje side and youngest cousin on the Nagel side by a considerable margin. The second youngest cousin on the Nagel side, Kim was already driving by the time I was born. I love my Nagel cousins, but I did not grow up with them.

My cousin Andy was born four days shy of my third birthday. I have so many amazing memories with Andy from his fascination with vacuum cleaners and airplanes when we were little to us getting amazing seats at Wrigley Field together as adults, but I do not remember the day he was born.

However by the time Brenda came around over two years later, I was about to go into kindergarten. I will always remember June 9, 1987. I remember being fascinated by the concept of Brenda.

I thought to myself “Look, there’s a brand-new baby and I’m related to it!” It was an absolutely incredible experience.

Growing up as a kid I was the weak one in the family because I lacked so much physical ability. I wanted to help out my younger cousins, but didn’t know how.

Now that we are all young adults I realize that physical strength is still important, but not as important as mental and emotional strength. I would like to empower all recent college graduates and soon-to-be college graduates. This one is for Andy and Brenda.

I originally saw this as several pieces. It started several weeks ago via a Facebook conversation with my grad school friend Casey. It grew two weeks ago when talking to Brenda and was finished in my mind this afternoon after writing another Facebook message to Brenda. Thank you for inspiring me to write this Brenda. Here are five lessons I would like to share.

1. Eliminate fear, love everything in your life. So far in my studies of life I found that every emotion really boils down to love and fear.

Sometimes fear is real, but most of the time it’s not. If you are scared about something go out and do something about it or just have faith pull you through.

Right now my biggest fear is driving. I wish I could rely on my body more as far as spasticity, coordination and reaction time. I know when the time is right, I will be blessed with the right driving teacher and I will eliminate that fear. For now life goes on well up and down Highway 31 as I launch my writing career from my apartment. I pray every time I get into the car. This love and fear concept took me a long time to understand. Spend some time thinking about it and what is right for you will come to pass.

2. Decide the odds don’t apply to you!

I flat out love Grey’s Anatomy. I could care less what the current drama is between McDreamy and McSteamy, however it is an extremely well-written show and there is always two or three wise nuggets of life in every episode. This week’s episode toward the very end had a conversation between Little Gray and Izzy. Izzy has her 5% to deal with and Little Grey’s Mom somehow died with a 0% chance of that happening.

Somewhere along the line of applying to Northwestern I was told they were going to take five students straight out of undergrad. To get one of five spots seemed daunting at the time. They ended up taking 7 of us. Statistics can change! Nothing is certain. If thoughts of the economy freak you out. Do what I’ve done. Shut off the news. I do not control the economy. Try to take care of what you can control and know you can do whatever you want.

3. Follow your heart and make sure your brain is listening. Joy is like a compass and your brain is like a GPS system.

It will take you exactly where you want to go, but you have to give it the right address. If you don’t like where you end up enter a new address, but don’t stay there. Most great journeys only reveal themselves one step at a time. Learn to be okay with this.

4. Treat everyone well and take extra care of the ones that love you.

A couple months ago I was looking for an answer to a question for several months. Out of the blue a person who has treated me like a pile of garbage for several years now just e-mails me the answer to my important question without even realizing that I was looking for that answer. I doubt this person even knows how much their actions hurt me because I rose above the situation so well. If that is not an example of karma, I do not know if one exists. I have been trying for a couple weeks now to come up with the exact phrasing for number 3 with the idea that it would be its own separate piece. I know the only reason I was able to come up with the exact phrase was because I was trying to uplift my lovely baby cousin this afternoon via Facebook. God gives us gifts if we look after those we are supposed to.

5. Follow your dreams, work hard and treat other people like you want to be treated.

I have said this so many times, but it needs to be repeated. I have seen so many people do the last two without doing the first one. Why do so many people ignore their hearts? The universe gives us personalized maps and we sometimes try to look at other people’s. Don’t follow the money! Follow the love; if you work hard at something you love the money will follow. Money after all really is just green paper.

No matter what age we are we are responsible for our little corner of the world. If everyone takes care of their own corner, all the sudden the world’s problems are lessened. This is a reality in our lifetime and any lifetime. The purpose of life is not perfection it is growth. Anything is possible!

Thank You Brenners, Thank You Everyone!
Chris