I'm slightly emotional tonight. Yes, in part to the outpouring of donations, but more about a promise I made and how I feel about it.

As always, whenever I'm upset about something it involves Aaron Nagler. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that today is no different. I watched Aaron's passion this week in getting the word out about his autism walk. As you know I decided to donate a small portion of today's donations to his charity. It's a tiny amount, but like he says it's not the money that's important. To him the importance is on awareness.

Well, awareness is a pretty broad term.

I thought a lot today about my life, and how it relates to charity and disabilities and my role in it all. After thinking awhile, I realized it held no relevance at all. I have been blessed to really never have been surrounded or affected by anything of the sort. Although I've lived a pretty interesting life (buy my book in January), I have been fortunate enough to be sheltered from that genre of pain. I cannot relate, I have no idea what it's like, and quite frankly I never really gave it much thought.

Until today that is.

I have always been kind of anti-charity. I think many of them are corrupt. Even more honestly, I would rather use any extra money for me. I am one of those guys that has walked through life throwing a couple of quarters in the red bucket once a year and calling it good. Disabilities and things of that nature scare me, and I shy away from them as much as possible. This small donation to Aaron is going to be the first time I have ever given money to any charity in my life. It's nothing to be reveled mind you, but quite oppositely something to be ashamed of.

I am an able bodied person. I am fairly healthy, and I would like to think not entirely stupid. Being broke isn't really an excuse because there are many things I could be doing for someone, somewhere, that would merely involve my time. I have yet to take that opportunity.

I need to take a long hard look at my priorities and where they are heading. As I find myself starting to like myself a little more everyday, extra priority seems to fall on who I want to be when it's all said and done. Sometimes I spend so much time worrying about my own problems and hurt in life that I often forget there are many others out there who would give anything for a moment in my shoes.

Today I need to stand back for a moment and once again think about what truly is important. Sometimes my life becomes too much of a show, and although I am proud of the brand I have created, there are moments when it just takes a little girl named Violet to realize where I truly stand in the scheme of things.

I thank her for that. And you should too.

(Comments are closed on this one. It's not like that)