He Ain't Heavy

The road is long with many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where, who know where

But I'm strong, strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go, his welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear, we'll get there
For I know, he would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all, I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart isn't filled with gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road from which there is no return
While we're on our way to there, why not share
And the load doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He's my brother
He ain't heavy
He's my brother


I guess I thought I'd posted these lyrics before. I listen to this song often. Listening to the song makes me smile because I see it as somewhat of a representation of why I do what I do. Besides the large paycheck I receive every two weeks, nothing is more rewarding than having the opportunity to work with my brothers everyday. There is defintely no burden in what I am doing.

The Road Keeps on GROWING

Let the Driving Begin

Off the Left Coast

Sunday will be here soon. On Sunday, I will jump into my little Civic and depart Portland, Oregon and head across the country to Ames, Iowa. Goodbye to the Left Coast. Goodbye to the weather that has allowed me to break out my shorts and t-shirts. Goodbye to the sunshine that has allowed me to get this killer tan. Goodbye to the people who sometimes try to act like the midwest doesn't exist. It's time to say hello to the snow once again. It's also time to say hello to the cold that is waiting for me as soon as I hit the wonderful midwest air. The left coast has been fun, but I can really say I love home.

Just proof that the trip to California in January wasn't a vacation. 

The "W" is for Washington. Billy (the shortest guy in the chapter) and Travis (one of the tallest guys in the chapter) pose for a picture. 

Me with a few of the guys at the University of Washington 

One Decision....Several Thoughts

Have you ever just assumed that everyone understands? Have you ever assumed that the things you know are just common knowledge to everyone. I guess the number one suggestion I would offer someone who is working with people is to leave your assumptions at the door with your experiences. My experiences are just that....mine. They don't belong to anyone else. They are personal. They happened to me. They happened....in the past, and my experience does not have to be anyone elses. As I continue to do my job I realize that not everyone understands that. People want others to do things exactly the way they did them. Some people believe that just because they found success or happiness doing something one way, everyone will find those same wonderful fortunes in life if they follow. Of course, there are some things that should only be done one way, but on the other hand, sometimes you just have to let someone figure that out on their own.

I look forward to the day where I see someone let someone else make a decision....even though they know deep down inside that one decision was better than the other. However, I want to see the look on the person's face when he/she realizes that they have made a bad decision. Obviously, I don't want his to be a life altering situation....but one that helps someone realize that we are faced with decisions and challenges everyday. Sometimes we make the wrong decision. No one is perfect. It is a fact of life. What I really want to see, however, is how that person responds. If they make a poor decision, do they give up or do they suck it up and accept the mistake, and go forth to try to make the best of that mistake that he/she can.

The results of your decisions are greatly effected by you. Right or wrong, how do you handle the results. Do you celebrate your success and stop caring? Do you let your head hang knowing that you made the wrong decisions? Or do you take the results, good or bad, and ask yourself, what was good about this decision? What could end up being a setback? What importance does this decision have in my life? Maybe a little...maybe none at all. Nonetheless, you've learned something new.