Category Archives: Tony’s Posts

Tony's Posts

I Am, We Are Chattanooga Strong!

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Today has been one hell of a day in Chattanooga, TN. I have lived here most of my life and this was something I never expected to happen. A young man who immigrated legally here from Pakistan decided to shoot up a Marine recruiting office and then made his way down to a Naval Reserve Station. For more info from CNN click here.

I am kind of stunned by the whole thing. How and why are questions being asked by local, state and federal officials. The president even made remarks from the Oval Office about today’s tragedy. The shooter and I graduated from the same high school many years a part. One thing I know is that we came together as a community. People came to donate blood because it was something they could do. They prayed for those who were lost. We showed concern on social media.

Chattanooga rallied today for one another like we do in this country. I work for the local blood bank and we saw an outpouring from our donors like we had never seen before. People from all walks of life came to help. I am proud of my city. I love my city. I am, we are #chattanoogastrong

The News, Tony's Posts

Active Shooting Situation in Chattanooga

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My city is on high alert because of an active shooter situation. One police officer has been shot. There is a massive law enforcement and first responder presence on the scene.

Tony's Posts

A Ramble About Courage

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Courage is something that is different to different people. Being courageous for many people means being yourself and being authentic. In the case of Caitlyn Jenner it means finally living life on your own terms and making life changes that not everyone agrees with. She is now free to be the person who inside has been wanting to be for many years.

Some people have a problem with her receiving the Arthur Ashe Award at the Espy’s and they have the right to think that. However when you diminish or tear down the courage of one person you do it for others who are in their own right and life courageous. Not everyone is a war veteran or a first responder who march into danger to be a hero. Some of us show courage in just getting up in the morning and doing our work without the fanfare of an athlete or actor.

The transition from Bruce to Caitlyn is one that was done over many years and with some fear because not everyone understands or accepts that change in her life. Maybe we should strive to be more empathetic, sympathetic and graceful in our lives so we can understand people and accept them for who they are and who they want to be.

Remember our world is changing, people are changing, faith is changing for those who have the courage to keep up with it all I salute you. To those who choose to be mired in the status quo I do feel for you there is an exciting new world that is not falling apart but creating something beautiful and real.

Tony's Posts

A Social Ramble

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I find that WordPress, Twitter and sometimes Tumblr are better places to be than Facebook. I don’t know what it is but I think Facebook can bring someone down. Sure there are tons of pet videos but that can’t be the only thing keeping someone there. Blogging seems to be a more open social environment for better discussion. I would so love to log out of Facebook but it keeps people coming back because of the connections you have there. Not everyone blogs so that is a problem. Maybe I just need to logout of Facebook for awhile. I would much rather blog, Tweet and Instagram anyway.

Tony's Posts

Chilling Out

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I seem to have a problem chilling out. My brain runs constantly and I have a hard time relaxing. Maybe its a matter of overthinking stuff and trying to over analyzing things. Really I don’t know how to rest or give myself permission to rest. I feel like my “on switch” is always on. One day I hope I can find the right way to relax and give myself a break. At the end of a long day sometimes all I wanna do is go home and rest but it doesn’t seem like I do a good job of it. I also need to sleep better at night and I know that will help a lot of other things. Rest ye who are heavy laden or something like that.

Tony's Posts

A Ramble About Hope

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I think believers of all faiths should be the vanguards of hope in the world. Sometimes we let the bad stuff of the world get to us and we reflect that in our attitudes about things. We are urging on the end of days when we should be urging people to find their way into a relationship with a higher power that will change them so they can change the world for the better. I certainly think believers need to smile more.