I can’t do it, because…
I’m too old.
I’m too young.
I don’t have enough money.
I’m black.
I’m white.
My mom was a drunk.
My dad liked to beat me.
I grew up in the hood.
I’m just not like those successful people.
I’m an addict.
I’m shy.
People don’t like me.
I’m not smart enough.
I don’t have what it takes.
.
.
.
SHUT UP!
How about “I’m deaf”?
Watch Stephen Hopson’s entry in Simpleology’s Next Best Selling Author Competition (captioned version is here), and then come back to tell me why you “can’t.”
This post has 18 comments
February 23rd, 2008
Lyman!!
Wow, thanks so much for the unsolicited promotion of my video at YouTube! I’m so surprised. Thank you, thank you and thank you.
I am grateful for this, Lyman. I am actually at loss of words, believe it or not. I just did not expect this.
But I will say this: I’m humbled that you felt inspired enough to share this with your readers.
February 23rd, 2008
Lyman, I like your style. Stephen truly is an inspiration.
February 23rd, 2008
I saw Stephen’s video earlier and I really enjoyed it. How fun that I got to see it again here!
Thanks, Lyman! You’re always the best when it comes to spreading around the good stuff!
February 23rd, 2008
@Stephen – Thank *you*, my friend… I’ve got plenty of that same gratitude for what you do that I could never express in words. It’s my pleasure to give you a little press – the world needs to know about you and what you live for.
@Patricia – I’m glad you liked the style, Patricia. Thanks for the compliment!
@Karen – It’s a great story, and I’ve watched it a few times myself. And hey, Stephen’s stuff is a pleasure to spread around.
Thanks.
February 23rd, 2008
@Lyman, Karen and Patricia: I find it most amazing that all three of us “know one another.” I look forward to meeting all of you at one point.
Are any of you going to SOBCON08 in Chicago (May 3, 4, 5)?? It’s looking more and more likely I will go to this. I hope you guys will be going because it’d be a wonderful opportunity to meet all of you. We’ll get to actually talk face to face!
Again, thanks for your incredible, incredible support. I’m so grateful.
February 25th, 2008
Reminds me of Harold Wilke. He has quite a mother too–as well as quite a spirit of his own.
I love your writing I couldn’t help but laught out loud but you sure do make a oint!
Thanks!
Mom
February 26th, 2008
Thanks, Mom! Over on Stephen’s blog, we were actually talking about supportive parents and how neat it is when they comment on our blogs. His dad does it too.
February 26th, 2008
Yes, my Dad stopped by and left a comment, which I thought was awesome!
Thanks for your continuing support.
February 28th, 2008
Hi Lyman,
It is good to see you promoting Stephen’s video. I sure hope he wins! It really warms my heart thinking about people like you and Stephen that I have met through blogging. Life is good!
February 28th, 2008
Hi there, Kirsten! I’m really rooting for him, and it’s good to see all of the support he has. The deadline for submissions closed a couple of days ago, so we should know how he did soon.
It’s great to hear from you!
March 17th, 2008
Congratulations Stephens.
March 21st, 2008
Congratulations, Stephen Hopson.
This is really inspiring!
and Lyman, I really like your words…..
Many of us keep finding excuses for not doing something.
I’ve shared this in my blog too, hope you don’t mind. I wish to inspire my friends.
March 22nd, 2008
Kaka:
Wow, a mention in your blog, 3/4 of the way around the world!
Thanks so much – the gesture is tremendously appreciated. I hope your friends like the video!
March 24th, 2008
@kaka – I don’t mind a bit. Thanks for sharing it with your readers!
@Stephen – did you edit your comment and take out the link to the subtitled version? I don’t mind it being here at all, but I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.
For anyone who is interested, the captioned version can be found here (it’s in the post, but people may not have noticed it.)
And on another note, what’s the proper term for this? Captioned or subtitled? Or are they interchangeable?
March 24th, 2008
Lyman:
At first I wasn’t sure what you were referring to about me editing my comment and taking out the link to the subtitled version.
But then I remembered, yes, I did that because:
1) I didn’t want it to be “self serving”
2) You already had a link in your post to the subtitled version so I figured I would be overstaying my welcome by adding yet another link to it
However, if you don’t mind putting the link to the subtitled version back in my comment, then by all means, please go ahead and do it. You are the blog owner and it’s up to you.
Thanks again for the support. I’m excited to tell you that I have my first call with Mark tonight at 6 pm. He will be calling me from New Zealand. I’m so friggin excited, I can hardly breathe!!!!!!
I love you man. Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks. I cannot wait to give you a hug and a firm, maybe bone crushing handshake one day. LOL
P.S. Are you going to SOBCon08 in Chicago? I am definitely going now that I’ve discovered that we were able to get sponsorship for interpreters to cover most of the conference! How can I not go now?
March 24th, 2008
That is awesome, Stephen! I’m really happy that you are having your call with Mark tonight. I know it’s going to go well.
I’m still up in the air about SOBCon08… I’d love to attend, but I’m not sure about the logistics of it yet. Not only would it be a great opportunity to meet you and all of the others that I only know in cyberland, it would also be really cool just to visit the Windy City again. I lived in Joliet for about 8 years, and I do miss the Midwest a bit.
I added another link to the subtitled version. Thanks again for your concern.
March 24th, 2008
Lyman:
Thanks for adding the subtitled version back in for me. I appreciate that and I appreciate you acknowledging my concern for appearing “self serving.” Thanks. The circle is complete.
I’ll keep you posted about my experience with Mark Joyner and his people. I can’t wait to see what happens. He is going to be calling me via relay, which is a special phone service for hearing people to call deaf people who have TTYs (like I do). You know how that works, right?
Hope it works out for you to come to Windy City for SOBCon08. I’m pretty excited about it. I just hope and pray that my investment in it turns out to be a worthwhile one. It’s not a cheap trip but fortunately the airfare for me is only $100 roundtrip. It’s everything else – registration, hotel, food, etc.
March 27th, 2008
Not a problem about the subtitled version, Stephen, and I hope that the call went well! Isn’t it cool that the time we live in allows for things like relays? It’s pretty amazing… just one more thing to be grateful for.
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