This Eclectic Life

Excuses?

by Shelly Kneupper Tucker on July 3, 2009

On a hot, lazy Sunday afternoon, I plopped on the bed to watch television. I would have liked to exercise, because I’m carrying ten pounds that I want to lose. But, it was too darned hot to move (in the winter, my excuse is that it’s too cold). Although I wanted to work on organizing my house, I just didn’t know where to start. It would have been nice to work on a few blog posts, so I wouldn’t have to rush during the week, but I was too drained to think. My yard needs work, but I’d get a heat stroke out there.

I’m pretty good with excuses, aren’t you? Most of mine revolve around being old, and tired, and full of no coffee.

As luck would have it, the television was tuned to the local PBS station, and I didn’t have the remote control near me. Changing channels would have required moving, so I watched Wayne Dyer. His program was entitled, “Excuses Begone!” Hmmm.

Don’t you just hate it when the Universe has that kind of synchronicity?

In the course of the program, Dr. Dyer brought to the stage a young man named Dan Caro. When Dan was only two years old, he was burned over seventy percent of his body. Because of those burns, he lost his right hand, most of his left hand and is severely scarred. With the help of doctors at the Shriners Hospital, Dan survived, and at thirty years old, he lives a full and active life. He recounted that it took him seven years just to develop the strength and coordination to be able to tie his own shoes. I don’t know about you, but me? I would have settled for Velcro!

That Dan Caro survived his injuries at all is a miracle … but wait … there’s more.

Dan decided to become a musician! That’s right. He had a passion for music, and decided not to let anything get in his way. At the age of twelve, he strapped drumsticks to his arms and over the course of the next few years became quite talented. In fact, in the New Orleans area, Dan is a well known and well respected musician who drums for many of the jazz greats. He is also writing an inspirational book and is a keynote speaker. But, that young man is a darned good drummer.

You don’t believe me? See for yourself.

Dan had plenty of EXCELLENT excuses for just sitting back and not doing anything with his life. But, he didn’t take the easy road. He is the “good” that I want to share on this Only The Good Friday.