WWW Fenn Speech

In my journey, I found that there was always someone better than me: someone smarter, stronger, faster, harder working, more talented, more driven, more honest, more pious- just better than I was. It was humbling, but at the same time immensely reassuring, there were so many problems in the world that I could not solve, but maybe someone else could. 

       I learned that life is fragile and that we should take each day as a blessing. A single round from a A1 Qaddafi sniper, an IED on a road less traveled, a C-130 that never returned, a head on collision heading home from work, a parachute that never opened, an X-day that reveled a growing tumor- nothing in life is guaranteed, so make the most of what you have and be thankful. 

       Many times over I found that my success depended on others. It was the simplest of lessons, one I had been taught in basic SEAL training rowing my little rubber boat. And every success I had from that moment on had been because someone helped me. 
        I realized that life is actually pretty simple. Help as many people as possible. Make as many friends as possible. Work as hard as possible. And, no matter what happens, never quit!

reflection: To be honest, I don’t really like this speech. I didn’t really know what to do, so I just asked Fitz for a speech. He opened up his book and handed me it pointing at a speech about a SEAL member. I didn’t really like it but I wasn’t going to say no to Fitz. 

Music mentor

everyone has a mentor

you miss 100% of the shots you don't take

Everyone has that one singer who they connect with. For me, I really connected to NF (Nathan John Feuerstein) the first time I heard him. One thing that NF and I have in common is that we both had a parent with addiction. When I listen to his song How Could You Leave Us, which is about his mother who is extremely addicted to opium and nicotine, it shows me that I’m not the only one going through something. The first ever song I heard of NF’s one How Could You Leave Us. I remember laying in bed just listening to music when it came on. I wanted to skip because I had no idea who he was, but I liked the beat so I listened to it. I remember listening to it and really connecting with the lyrics. Every time I listen to that song it brings me back to when my family was in its darkest time, and how I’m not the only one that went through that same problem. Fortunately for me, my parent didn’t end up dying from they’re addiction. When I hear the beat I see the run down apartment my parent was living in, all I smell is marijuana from their neighbors, the broken and grey walls, windows you can’t see threw. I can relate to NF and his experience as a child. I know that whenever I listen to this song there are people that struggle, there are people that don’t escape the darkness, but there are also people willing to help you get through the darkness. I know that NF has gone through much worse than I have and he has done great things. I know that I can do great things no matter what happens. Even the smallest contentions can have the biggest impact. 

Power of Music

Music is a gateway to joy

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.

Music works in mysterious ways. Music has helped me in so many different ways throughout my life. After a sports loss I was extremely sad. I wasn't talking to anyone on the way to the car and home. Back in 7th grade I was pretty upset over a sports loss in the championship. On the way home I sat in the backseat staring out the window sulking and blasting Gorillaz through my headphones. Throughout the car ride I went from sulking to happy and smiling. I got into the car close to tears. I take every loss to a personal level and adding in that i’m a goalie it gets out of hand sometimes. I started playing my favorite music, Gorillaz, Beastie Boys, Linkin park, and Green day, I was in the mood to be happy I just wanted to drown out my parents trying to talk to me. When I was in the car I realized what music was to me. Music isn't just something to sing or dance to, its a way to bring joy to others or yourself. Music has helped me in so many ways. Music is therapeutic. Music to me is a gateway to happiness, its pure joy.