Dont Ever Give Up

There is a reason I never gave up. A reason I never will give up my hope, my dreams, my desire to live. The reason is people who care. Those who have shown their concern for me, and their wish for me to succeed, to do the best I can do. They give me a reason to live.

A couple of those people are my parents. I thank my father for his (possibly unintentional) ability to make me rethink what I did, or would do. Is it good enough? Am I good enough? There are masters, there are learners, and there are master learners. A real master never stops learning. I am not a master. In subtle ways, again maybe not intentional, my father taught me this truth. I was the cocky punk know-it-all, but my father kept me in check much of the time. He made me re-evaluate myself, made me look deeper.

My mother always thought what I did was outstanding, including the little monster heads I used to make out of clay, complete with teeth. She was amazed when I told her that I used a toothpick to put each tooth in. They had eyes too. Sometimes a tongue.

I'd spend hours making those things. For what? God knows, maybe that talent will come in handy someday. It certainly taught me patience, and how to be thorough. That patience carried over to many other areas of my life, my music, finding my true love, and other goals. I thank my mother for her encouragement and love. She is certainly one of the many people who kept me from giving up.

Still more of those people who made a difference are musicians and artists. Most of them care, and you can tell which ones. Even if they don't know who we are, they're talking to us through their music.

Rush, one of my all time favorite bands, has been a part of my life since around 1977. When I was about ten years old I was looking through my sisters record collection and discovered an album called "Rush - Archives". It was a re-release of the first three Rush albums. I was hooked. The lyrics were positive, imaginative, and inspirational, and the music was just so cool.

My uncle got tickets to Rush's "Hemispheres" tour in 1979 and brought my sister and I to the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey, to see them live. I didn't know what that strange aroma was wafting around the theatre, but the spectacle was incredible. Forevermore I would dream of being a "rock star."

The words of Rush lyricist and drummer, Neil Peart, and the incredibly dynamic, and charged music of Rush led me down a path of music, and discovery. Through the years, the words and music of Rush helped to mold my character, and made me open my eyes to new things and great possibilities. A world of wonder was created for me. I would never look at the world the same way again.

Rush also had these really cool album covers, and being an artist of sorts I was drawn to the designs. I learned that a fellow named Hugh Syme was responsible for most of this wonderful art. His vision and technique inspired me, his designs seemed to connect with my inner Picaso and really influenced my art style. Today he still creates unbelievable imagery, a mix of photographic, digital and traditional art techniques, and you can't see the separation. Now there is a master.

I thank these people, and others, who have helped to keep my eyes trained on the future, and the wonders of the world. The possibilities are endless. There is never any reason to stop, to just give up. Our lives will end on their own one day, don't rush it. Live now, see this world and the great things it has to offer. Live, and learn.

Rutanya Alda, actress and friend of my cousin Peter Bankers who is a publicist in New York, once told my friend Barry Manion and me to never to give up on our dreams. She said "They can come true. Mine did."

Barry passed away at 27. He didn't make it, but I'm still here, and I'm still pursuing my dream of being a professional musician. I carry a candle for Barry, and when I make it he will to.

There are people who care, and they know you're listening. I know you're listening, so listen. Don't give up.

Drew Vics, an artist, writer & musician from New Jersey, writes for Myeyez.net, and for other websites online.

---

Google News Updated : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:25:22 GMT Thai protesters, police scuffle as turmoil escalates - AFP Times Online Thai protesters, police scuffle as turmoil escalates AFP - 39 minutes ago BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai protesters scuffled with police Friday as tensions flared at the besieged Bangkok government compound, with signs of escalating turmoil in the kingdom testing the premier's peaceful resolve. Police clash with Thai protesters BBC News Thai protesters, police scuffle over court order The Associated Press ABC Online - Xinhua - CNN International - Monsters and Critics.com all 2,314 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:45:45 GMT Zimbabwe poll crisis talks resume - BBC News AFP Zimbabwe poll crisis talks resume BBC News - 1 hour ago Talks to resolve Zimbabwe's election crisis have resumed in South Africa after a two-week break, officials say. The negotiations broke up over how to share power between Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who both claim victory in ... Africa: Continent's Biggest Transport Company Eyes Zimbabwe AllAfrica.com Zimbabwean Crisis Talks Will Resume in South Africa (Update1) Bloomberg AFP - Monsters and Critics.com - Xinhua - Reuters South Africa all 302 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:14:29 GMT Garden Grove man with West Nile virus dies - Los Angeles Times dBTechno Garden Grove man with West Nile virus dies Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago By Stuart Pfeifer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer A Garden Grove man has died after being infected with West Nile virus, the second death in Orange County from the mosquito-transmitted disease this month, the Health Care Agency disclosed Thursday. West Nile case reported in Missouri Belleville News Democrat Did the aerial mosquito spraying work? phillyBurbs.com Newsday - Meadville Tribune - Great Falls Tribune - dBTechno all 501 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:04:32 GMT Meeks: Boycott is on - Chicago Sun-Times WBBM780 Meeks: Boycott is on Chicago Sun-Times - 3 hours ago BY MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA AND ROSALIND ROSSI Staff Reporters State Sen. Rev. James Meeks calls on Chicago parents to keep their children home on the first day of school on Tuesday. Back-to-school rally held near church of state senator who is ... Chicago Tribune Meeks likely to leave Denver with no school deal Clout Street - Chicago Tribune Blog NBC5.com - Pioneer Press Online - TIME - Wilmette Life all 47 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:04:12 GMT (UPDATE 1) Texas Leads US In Number Of Uninsured Residents - dBTechno Ontario Now (UPDATE 1) Texas Leads US In Number Of Uninsured Residents dBTechno - 41 minutes ago Houston (dbTechno) - This week, the US Census Bureau released a report which found that overall, the number of uninsured Americans has decreased. Update2: Number Of Americans Without Health Insurance Drops eFluxMedia Real world issues for graduates include health insurance Bolingbrook Sun UT The Daily Texan - Bizjournals.com - Chillicothe Gazette - KOMO News all 353 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:43:47 GMT Oil Rises in New York as Gustav Threatens US Gulf Platforms - Bloomberg Sify Oil Rises in New York as Gustav Threatens US Gulf Platforms Bloomberg - 50 minutes ago By Alexander Kwiatkowski Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil headed for its biggest weekly gain in almost two months and natural gas rose as producers evacuated rigs before the arrival of Gustav, forecast to be the largest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico ... Oil rises to $117 on storm threat to US output Forbes Oil rises on fears Gustav will hit Gulf The Associated Press guardian.co.uk - AFP - Reuters - MarketWatch all 2,765 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:34:36 GMT New Orleans gets jump on Gustav to avoid 2005 repeat - USA Today New Orleans gets jump on Gustav to avoid 2005 repeat USA Today - 9 hours ago By Lee Celano, Reuters By Rick Jervis and Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY NEW ORLEANS - As Gustav threatened to pack a wallop, local leaders and emergency workers unfurled plans and readied evacuation tactics Thursday to avoid a repeat of the deadly mistakes ... FEMA Says Weaknesses Remain In Its Ability to Respond Quickly Wall Street Journal Not Ready for Gustav New York Times Boston Globe - Houston Chronicle - Monroe News Star - Bloomberg all 45 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:24:38 GMT RSS2Blog Display RSS Feeds on Your Website

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Learn to Deal in Challenges

(Excerpted from the 2004 Jim Rohn Weekend Leadership Event)To really... Read More

Healing The Abandonment Wounds

I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More

Recipe for Success

"Desire is a tremendous force, and must be directed in... Read More

Fail Your Way To The Top

Have you had a challenging day or week? Feel a... Read More

When Human Beings Take It To The Limit

In life we all have dreams and goals, aspirations to... Read More

Discovering The Art of Bending Your Mindset And Manifesting Your Multiple Intelligences

Discovering the Art of Bending Your Mindset and Manifesting your... Read More

Lifetime of Discoveries: Moments of Peace and Renewal

There are discoveries all around us—small gifts of joy that... Read More

Pay It Forward

My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man.... Read More

Brilliance in Balance

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else;... Read More

Moneys Sad Lack of Intrinsic Value

A good number of my columns deal with finances and... Read More

Dreams Keep Us Going

The eyes are the portals of the inner self; the... Read More

Take Out Time -- To Just Be Thankful

While sitting here tonight, watching the conclusion of "There Are... Read More

Imaginings

Most people like movies. Some, like me, are enthralled by... Read More

Turning 40

Most of us, at one point or another, take a... Read More

Walking on a Path of Life

We set out walking along a route where one foot... Read More

Beautiful Day Blues

The massive orb dominates the aqua crystalline backdrop of its... Read More

Personal Fear of Change and How to Change It!

It's interesting how we intellectually know that tomorrow will be... Read More

Unconditional Love is Absolute Freedom to Screw Up Your Life

In my lifetime, I have never witnessed enduring unconditional love... Read More

Product Testing

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 24,... Read More

There Is Always Room For Improvement

When I was twelve my parents bought me a five... Read More

Wow a Butterfly!

Okay, I am sure that you clicked on this title... Read More

What Does Faith Have To Do With Marketing?

No, this isn't going to be a sermon or anything... Read More

Look To Trees To Help You Keep Balanced And Focused While Achieving Your Dreams

Do you remember looking up through the branches of a... Read More

Guard Your Heart

It was 1:30 A.M. on Friday, December 6, 1991. Patrolman... Read More

My Life With Furniture

These days, I find the lines are blurred between school... Read More