New chapter in my life

[Phobia]

Some of you may know that I got hit with a health scare recently. Since that happened a month and half ago I've continued to have issues that they can't diagnose. I'm going in Dec 3rd for more test, I know a MRI but also possible is spinal tap. It is looking like fibromyalgia or MS could be possible reasons for my pain but more test are needed before hand.

While I been blessed none of it is life threating, one thing it has done is kick started me back into living and taking risks I've always feared (such as putting a business plan together and opening my own business). Life is F-ing short and sadly many of us take it for granted. I don't want to do that any more, I want to reach for everything I believe I can.

I was randomly thinking today that I spend anywhere from 2 to 5 hours on OS a day. Granted most of it I'm at work between clients or sales meetings just killing time, but the fact is I spend a ton of time on this site talking to you guys.

I've got to know many of you guys through here or Xbox live yet we don't even know most of our real names.

As cheesy as it might sound, I wanted to formally introduce myself. I'm Derek and it has been a pleasure talking & sharing liked interest with you guys. If I could shake some of y'all hands and buy you a beer I would.

I look forward to another 5 or more years kicking it with you guys on OS!





Sent from da lil phone.

[Knight165]

Re: New chapter in my life

It's true.
I work in a field where any day could be your last and you may never even see it coming.
I've seen too many guys go....to take things for granted any longer.

As one of my friends used to say(he was killed in the line of duty)
"Don't sweat the small stuff"
I try not to and instead focus on the positive things that come my way in life.

Hopefully, you are good to go health wise and we continue to see you regularly here on O.S.!

M.K.
Knight165

[Bullit]

Re: New chapter in my life

Well Derek it is very nice to finally "meet" you. I can understand exactly how you feel. As most of you know what I have been going thru I will not hijack your thread.

My name is Bryan and I have enjoyed our conversations and look forward to enjoying many more.

As Knight has pointed out, and I well know you don't have to be a firefighter for life to go away in a second, it is to short to mess around. This is a great community and a blessing to a lot of people.

[Phobia]

Re: New chapter in my life

It's true.
I work in a field where any day could be your last and you may never even see it coming.
I've seen too many guys go....to take things for granted any longer.

As one of my friends used to say(he was killed in the line of duty)
"Don't sweat the small stuff"
I try not to and instead focus on the positive things that come my way in life.

Hopefully, you are good to go health wise and we continue to see you regularly here on O.S.!

M.K.
Knight165

I hope so man, I got to much complaining left to do about Madden :wink:

Well Derek it is very nice to finally "meet" you. I can understand exactly how you feel. As most of you know what I have been going thru I will not hijack your thread.

My name is Bryan and I have enjoyed our conversations and look forward to enjoying many more.

As Knight has pointed out, and I well know you don't have to be a firefighter for life to go away in a second, it is to short to mess around. This is a great community and a blessing to a lot of people.

Bryan, I'll be honest, your situation was kind of a contributor to this thread also. Between the health scare for me, my own family tragedies, and reading about your daughter, it has been a "wake up call" to me I guess you can say. The bold I really want to live from here on out thinking about it that way every day. I guess best way to put it is, I don't want to just float on by then suddenly realize I've thrown away 30 years just doing "enough".

Stay strong my friend and I hope the best for your family man.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: New chapter in my life

Realized this a few months ago. Woke up one day and said to myself..."This isn't the life I want to be living". It is too easy to "settle" for what is comfortable instead of doing what makes us happy.

On that note, I always wanted to live in Europe so I sold my house the 1st of November and moved to Germany. Don't know how it is going to turn out (loving it so far) but at least I know I gave it shot.

[Phobia]

Re: New chapter in my life

Realized this a few months ago. Woke up one day and said to myself..."This isn't the life I want to be living". It is too easy to "settle" for what is comfortable instead of doing what makes us happy.

On that note, I always wanted to live in Europe so I sold my house the 1st of November and moved to Germany. Don't know how it is going to turn out (loving it so far) but at least I know I gave it shot.

That is fantastic Finn and exactly what I'm talking about. Me and my fiance have been talking for years about opening our own business but it takes a lot of money and is a huge financial risk. After this happened, I went to her and said "What is stopping us? Fear of not succeeding? Worst case it don't work out you file bankruptcy and start over. We are still young enough to take the shot now, better now than after we have kids."

So basically now we looking at getting everything together, find a bank, and take a shot. Financial freedom is worth the shot in my opinion.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: New chapter in my life

That is fantastic Finn and exactly what I'm talking about. Me and my fiance have been talking for years about opening our own business but it takes a lot of money and is a huge financial risk. After this happened, I went to her and said "What is stopping us? Fear of not succeeding? Worst case it don't work out you file bankruptcy and start over. We are still young enough to take the shot now, better now than after we have kids."

So basically now we looking at getting everything together, find a bank, and take a shot. Financial freedom is worth the shot in my opinion.

Yeah, if you have a sound business plan then you should go for it. Nothing worse in life then regrets over something you could (or should) have done.

[mattlanta]

Re: New chapter in my life

Thank you for making this thread, Derek. You are very right when you say that life is short. That is why I want to make sure that even if tomorrow were to be my last day on Earth that I left nothing to regret. Every day we should all strive to be the best we can be and not settle for mediocrity because we only have one chance to live our lives and we really owe it to ourselves to do something good with it (I know I stole that from somewhere, but still it's true!)

[Phobia]

Re: New chapter in my life

Thank you for making this thread, Derek. You are very right when you say that life is short. That is why I want to make sure that even if tomorrow were to be my last day on Earth that I left nothing to regret. Every day we should all strive to be the best we can be and not settle for mediocrity because we only have one chance to live our lives and we really owe it to ourselves to do something good with it (I know I stole that from somewhere, but still it's true!)

You are right about that Matt. As you get older the years just seem to fly by quicker. With the standard day in and day out routines we all get in, it makes the days just go by so quickly. It seems like just couple months ago was last X-mas and now here we are again about to celebrate X-mas yet again.

[Brandwin]

Re: New chapter in my life

Derek,
I hope all goes well with your tests and they can figure out what is causing all of your problems.

I'm Brandon and I am an Aries.

[Brandwin]

Re: New chapter in my life

You guys are right, life is way too short. It's just one of those hurdles you have to get over, like with changing your eating habits and trying to eat healthier. You say, I'll start tomorrow and they next thing you know, tomorrow was 2 weeks ago.

[JBH3]

Nice to "meet" you too Derek, I'm John.

Life is too short and not to be too cliche or anything, but truly you have to make the best out of it and that comes by setting out to do and accomplish the goals you set for yourself. If you've never set any goals, then you should start there, and then formulate your plan for accomplishing those goals.

Derek, I am sorry to hear about your health scare and I wish you nothing but the best!

[Phobia]

Re: New chapter in my life

@Brandon, I hope so myself man, I'm at my wits end I know that. It is mentally draining to know I have felt perfectly normal for 30 years then one day boom every changes and I hurt everywhere all over my body. The stabbing pains in my gut is the thing driving me mad.

Among other strange symptoms, my right leg goes numb, my entire rib cage feels like a knife is between the ribs, I been getting double vision couple times a day, my heart has been doing this vibrating thing, I have a head ache 24/7, I get these random shooting pains anywhere on my body at random times, and lastly NO test has found anything.

That is why this MRI and maybe spinal tap is critical this Monday. I just wanna know what is wrong and how it suddenly just appeared out the blue.

I personally think it appears very similar to MS but I'm no doctor.

Thanks John, I hope it continues to turn out for the best.

[AUChase]

Re: New chapter in my life

I never knew you were 30. You always looked much younger, to me.

It's nice to formally meet you, though. This may come as a surprise to you, but my name is Chase. Now, clear someone off your 360 friends list and make room for me.

You really do get to know some guys online, better than we even realize. Through running my own sports league site and OS, I've met some really cool people that I may never even meet in person. The guys I've played shooters with for the past few years are all cool dudes and when you spend a lot of time talking and playing games together, you realize that everyone isn't so different.

I love some of my friends of 18 years and my family, but there are times where I enjoy talking to people from OS more.

I hope everything goes better than you're expecting with your upcoming procedures.

[Phobia]

Re: New chapter in my life

I never knew you were 30. You always looked much younger, to me.

It's nice to formally meet you, though. This may come as a surprise to you, but my name is Chase. Now, clear someone off your 360 friends list and make room for me.

You really do get to know some guys online, better than we even realize. Through running my own sports league site and OS, I've met some really cool people that I may never even meet in person. The guys I've played shooters with for the past few years are all cool dudes and when you spend a lot of time talking and playing games together, you realize that everyone isn't so different.

I love some of my friends of 18 years and my family, but there are times where I enjoy talking to people from OS more.

I hope everything goes better than you're expecting with your upcoming procedures.

Yea Chase, I just have a young face but I will be 32 in February.

I'll clear some people off the XBL list. Damn 100 cap is never enough for people who run leagues. I end up full list and having to dump 15 names or so about twice a year.

I think you said it best about everyone not being so different.

We need to get some Halo in at some point.