an obstacle to an opportunity a barrier to a bridge that is the power of
to a bridge that is the power of
to a bridge that is the power of perspective Alfred Nobel was a Swedish
perspective Alfred Nobel was a Swedish
perspective Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist engineer and inventor born in
chemist engineer and inventor born in
chemist engineer and inventor born in 1833 by 1888 he had amassed a vast
1833 by 1888 he had amassed a vast
1833 by 1888 he had amassed a vast fortune for more than 300 different
fortune for more than 300 different
fortune for more than 300 different inventions the most famous of these
inventions the most famous of these
inventions the most famous of these being dynamite Nobel also owned a
being dynamite Nobel also owned a
being dynamite Nobel also owned a company that sold weapons to war
company that sold weapons to war
company that sold weapons to war machines around the globe the same year
machines around the globe the same year
machines around the globe the same year tragedy struck when Nobles brother died
tragedy struck when Nobles brother died
tragedy struck when Nobles brother died surely after Nobel was surprised to read
surely after Nobel was surprised to read
surely after Nobel was surprised to read his own obituary in a Swedish newspaper
his own obituary in a Swedish newspaper
his own obituary in a Swedish newspaper the newspaper had been misinformed
the newspaper had been misinformed
the newspaper had been misinformed and I thought Nobel had died not his
and I thought Nobel had died not his
and I thought Nobel had died not his brother this obituary was years
brother this obituary was years
brother this obituary was years premature written about a man still very
premature written about a man still very
premature written about a man still very much alive this put Alfred Nobel in a
much alive this put Alfred Nobel in a
much alive this put Alfred Nobel in a very unique position he was able to
very unique position he was able to
very unique position he was able to understand the mark he would leave when
understand the mark he would leave when
understand the mark he would leave when he was gone what he would be remembered
he was gone what he would be remembered
he was gone what he would be remembered for all while still alive what he read
for all while still alive what he read
for all while still alive what he read in his own obituaries shocked him the
in his own obituaries shocked him the
in his own obituaries shocked him the newspaper described him as the merchant
newspaper described him as the merchant
newspaper described him as the merchant of death describing his work an impact
of death describing his work an impact
of death describing his work an impact as being the man who made it possible to
as being the man who made it possible to
as being the man who made it possible to kill and destroy faster than anyone else
kill and destroy faster than anyone else
kill and destroy faster than anyone else to have ever existed and to make a
to have ever existed and to make a
to have ever existed and to make a profit off of the suffering of thousands
profit off of the suffering of thousands
profit off of the suffering of thousands Alfred Nobel saw what he would leave
Alfred Nobel saw what he would leave
Alfred Nobel saw what he would leave behind death greed and destruction
behind death greed and destruction
behind death greed and destruction now Nobel knew he needed to change his
now Nobel knew he needed to change his
now Nobel knew he needed to change his legacy and when he died to widespread
legacy and when he died to widespread
legacy and when he died to widespread astonishment he left his entire fortune
astonishment he left his entire fortune
astonishment he left his entire fortune to creating a system of awards to be
to creating a system of awards to be
to creating a system of awards to be given to those who created the greatest
given to those who created the greatest
given to those who created the greatest benefit for mankind in the areas of
benefit for mankind in the areas of
benefit for mankind in the areas of physics chemistry medicine literature
physics chemistry medicine literature
physics chemistry medicine literature and peace the Nobel Prizes as we know
and peace the Nobel Prizes as we know
and peace the Nobel Prizes as we know them today constitute one of the most
them today constitute one of the most
them today constitute one of the most impressive Awards this world has to
impressive Awards this world has to
impressive Awards this world has to offer and have been given to
offer and have been given to
offer and have been given to humanitarians statesmen scientists and
humanitarians statesmen scientists and
humanitarians statesmen scientists and peacemakers from the merchants of death
peacemakers from the merchants of death
peacemakers from the merchants of death to a promoter of peace and prosperity
to a promoter of peace and prosperity
to a promoter of peace and prosperity Alfred Nobel had changed his legacy
Alfred Nobel had changed his legacy
Alfred Nobel had changed his legacy forever I guess you could say Alfred
forever I guess you could say Alfred
forever I guess you could say Alfred Nobel’s brother taught him something
Nobel’s brother taught him something
Nobel’s brother taught him something about perspective
about perspective
about perspective about how tragedy can be reversed or you
about how tragedy can be reversed or you
about how tragedy can be reversed or you can change the negative facets of your
can change the negative facets of your
can change the negative facets of your life through incredible
life through incredible
life through incredible self-preservation I also have a brother
self-preservation I also have a brother
self-preservation I also have a brother that taught me something about
that taught me something about
that taught me something about perspective
perspective
perspective his name is Colin he’s my best friend
his name is Colin he’s my best friend
his name is Colin he’s my best friend and unfortunately Colin’s lesson
and unfortunately Colin’s lesson
and unfortunately Colin’s lesson happened in March of 2012 when he died
happened in March of 2012 when he died
happened in March of 2012 when he died of a heroin overdose in the bathroom of
of a heroin overdose in the bathroom of
of a heroin overdose in the bathroom of our home when I lost a brother words
our home when I lost a brother words
our home when I lost a brother words cannot describe the pain and grief I
cannot describe the pain and grief I
cannot describe the pain and grief I felt as an 11 year old it’s an unnatural
felt as an 11 year old it’s an unnatural
felt as an 11 year old it’s an unnatural fear a complete loss of all words and
fear a complete loss of all words and
fear a complete loss of all words and hope big brothers are supposed to teach
hope big brothers are supposed to teach
hope big brothers are supposed to teach you how to mess with your sisters or
you how to mess with your sisters or
you how to mess with your sisters or play video games or maybe ask a girl out
play video games or maybe ask a girl out
play video games or maybe ask a girl out for the first time my brother taught me
for the first time my brother taught me
for the first time my brother taught me how to struggle overcome and thrive in
how to struggle overcome and thrive in
how to struggle overcome and thrive in an environment of grief but most
an environment of grief but most
an environment of grief but most importantly he taught me about
importantly he taught me about
importantly he taught me about perspective knowing that when I wake up
perspective knowing that when I wake up
perspective knowing that when I wake up nothing I can do that day will change
nothing I can do that day will change
nothing I can do that day will change the way it is when I go downstairs
the way it is when I go downstairs
the way it is when I go downstairs hoping that he’ll be there at the
hoping that he’ll be there at the
hoping that he’ll be there at the kitchen table hoping that it was all a
kitchen table hoping that it was all a
kitchen table hoping that it was all a dream when it’s not in reality my life
dream when it’s not in reality my life
dream when it’s not in reality my life has become a nightmare when I lost my
has become a nightmare when I lost my
has become a nightmare when I lost my best friend
best friend
best friend I lost every shred of hope and goodness
I lost every shred of hope and goodness
I lost every shred of hope and goodness I had in this world yet now I’ve come to
I had in this world yet now I’ve come to
I had in this world yet now I’ve come to realize the power of perspective I come
realize the power of perspective I come
realize the power of perspective I come from a very tight-knit family we support
from a very tight-knit family we support
from a very tight-knit family we support each other and maybe we knock knock each
each other and maybe we knock knock each
each other and maybe we knock knock each other down a few pegs when we need it
other down a few pegs when we need it
other down a few pegs when we need it there’s five kids seven busy schedules
there’s five kids seven busy schedules
there’s five kids seven busy schedules one dog and zero sanity my parents have
one dog and zero sanity my parents have
one dog and zero sanity my parents have always encouraged us to become as
always encouraged us to become as
always encouraged us to become as involved as possible and one way for me
involved as possible and one way for me
involved as possible and one way for me to do this was to join a Scout troop my
to do this was to join a Scout troop my
to do this was to join a Scout troop my fellow Scouts and I can attest to the
fellow Scouts and I can attest to the
fellow Scouts and I can attest to the program’s ability to provide with us
program’s ability to provide with us
program’s ability to provide with us life lessons and experiences they will
life lessons and experiences they will
life lessons and experiences they will take for a lifetime one scout in
take for a lifetime one scout in
take for a lifetime one scout in particular has carved a special notch
particular has carved a special notch
particular has carved a special notch into my life let’s call him John now
into my life let’s call him John now
into my life let’s call him John now John is not like other Scouts John was
John is not like other Scouts John was
John is not like other Scouts John was born with several mental and learning
born with several mental and learning
born with several mental and learning challenges then make it incredibly
challenges then make it incredibly
challenges then make it incredibly difficult for him to complete daily
difficult for him to complete daily
difficult for him to complete daily tasks complex sentences and critical
tasks complex sentences and critical
tasks complex sentences and critical thinking or all things he struggles with
thinking or all things he struggles with
thinking or all things he struggles with yet last year John would say something
yet last year John would say something
yet last year John would say something to me that would change my life forever
to me that would change my life forever
to me that would change my life forever the troop was on a campout and we were
the troop was on a campout and we were
the troop was on a campout and we were in a large field bordered by tall trees
in a large field bordered by tall trees
in a large field bordered by tall trees with a clear blue sky overhead
with a clear blue sky overhead
with a clear blue sky overhead like a painting John stood against this
like a painting John stood against this
like a painting John stood against this picturesque background as the other
picturesque background as the other
picturesque background as the other Scouts left John remained and stared
Scouts left John remained and stared
Scouts left John remained and stared intently at the ground he bent down and
intently at the ground he bent down and
intently at the ground he bent down and picked a Daniel on off the ground and
picked a Daniel on off the ground and
picked a Daniel on off the ground and held the small golden flower in his hand
held the small golden flower in his hand
held the small golden flower in his hand and then he turned to me and he said
and then he turned to me and he said
and then he turned to me and he said Cory take time to look at the dandelions
Cory take time to look at the dandelions
Cory take time to look at the dandelions in your life because they may change it
in your life because they may change it
in your life because they may change it I was shocked I never expected to be so
I was shocked I never expected to be so
I was shocked I never expected to be so intuitive by making such a impactful
intuitive by making such a impactful
intuitive by making such a impactful statement or to provide for me advice I
statement or to provide for me advice I
statement or to provide for me advice I will take with me forever
will take with me forever
will take with me forever John’s statement only reaffirmed my
John’s statement only reaffirmed my
John’s statement only reaffirmed my belief in the power of perspective
belief in the power of perspective
belief in the power of perspective because John sees the world not through
because John sees the world not through
because John sees the world not through someone who constantly faces adversity
someone who constantly faces adversity
someone who constantly faces adversity but through the eyes of someone who sees
but through the eyes of someone who sees
but through the eyes of someone who sees hope that is the power of perspective
however I’ve also come to realize that
however I’ve also come to realize that sometimes the positive side of life does
sometimes the positive side of life does
sometimes the positive side of life does not show itself until long after the
not show itself until long after the
not show itself until long after the battles have been fought Blind Willie
battles have been fought Blind Willie
battles have been fought Blind Willie Johnson was born in 1897 in a small town
Johnson was born in 1897 in a small town
Johnson was born in 1897 in a small town in Texas his family lived a modest and
in Texas his family lived a modest and
in Texas his family lived a modest and humble farmers life however growing up
humble farmers life however growing up
humble farmers life however growing up in the Jim Crow South meant that Blind
in the Jim Crow South meant that Blind
in the Jim Crow South meant that Blind Willie Johnson had challenge after
Willie Johnson had challenge after
Willie Johnson had challenge after challenge placed in front of them from a
challenge placed in front of them from a
challenge placed in front of them from a very young age at the age of five his
very young age at the age of five his
very young age at the age of five his father gave him his first guitar and his
father gave him his first guitar and his
father gave him his first guitar and his love of music never stopped
love of music never stopped
love of music never stopped however these times of musical
however these times of musical
however these times of musical expression and childhood memories would
expression and childhood memories would
expression and childhood memories would not last Johnson’s home situation was
not last Johnson’s home situation was
not last Johnson’s home situation was volatile to say the least
volatile to say the least
volatile to say the least and in one a particularly violent
and in one a particularly violent
and in one a particularly violent argument Johnson’s mother threw lye into
argument Johnson’s mother threw lye into
argument Johnson’s mother threw lye into his face permanently blinding him no
his face permanently blinding him no
his face permanently blinding him no longer able to see Johnson he continued
longer able to see Johnson he continued
longer able to see Johnson he continued to use music as his only form of income
to use music as his only form of income
to use music as his only form of income moving from small town to small town
moving from small town to small town
moving from small town to small town performing for any amount of money he
performing for any amount of money he
performing for any amount of money he could be given in 1945 Johnson’s story
could be given in 1945 Johnson’s story
could be given in 1945 Johnson’s story takes another tragic turn when the house
takes another tragic turn when the house
takes another tragic turn when the house he was living in burned to the ground
he was living in burned to the ground
he was living in burned to the ground having no money to buy or rent a new
having no money to buy or rent a new
having no money to buy or rent a new home Johnson was forced to live in the
home Johnson was forced to live in the
home Johnson was forced to live in the wreckage of the abandoned building
wreckage of the abandoned building
wreckage of the abandoned building eventually exposure to the elements
eventually exposure to the elements
eventually exposure to the elements killed Blind Willie Johnson this story
killed Blind Willie Johnson this story
killed Blind Willie Johnson this story ends in loss it’s a story about a man
ends in loss it’s a story about a man
ends in loss it’s a story about a man who through no fault of his own
who through no fault of his own
who through no fault of his own was stripped of almost every joy in his
was stripped of almost every joy in his
was stripped of almost every joy in his life except his beloved music or is it
life except his beloved music or is it
life except his beloved music or is it because right now as we speak the
because right now as we speak the
because right now as we speak the Voyager spacecraft is traveling at
Voyager spacecraft is traveling at
Voyager spacecraft is traveling at 39,000 miles per hour on the very outer
39,000 miles per hour on the very outer
39,000 miles per hour on the very outer limits of our solar system and upon this
limits of our solar system and upon this
limits of our solar system and upon this spacecraft is a golden record the team
spacecraft is a golden record the team
spacecraft is a golden record the team of researchers have developed a record
of researchers have developed a record
of researchers have developed a record hope that upon successful use of the
hope that upon successful use of the
hope that upon successful use of the record any living thing somewhere in the
record any living thing somewhere in the
record any living thing somewhere in the universe would hear all they needed to
universe would hear all they needed to
universe would hear all they needed to hear to understand the lives of the
hear to understand the lives of the
hear to understand the lives of the people of Earth upon this record is
people of Earth upon this record is
people of Earth upon this record is music from Bach Mozart and Blind Willie
music from Bach Mozart and Blind Willie
music from Bach Mozart and Blind Willie Johnson Johnson song dark was the night
Johnson Johnson song dark was the night
Johnson Johnson song dark was the night and cold was the ground was included
and cold was the ground was included
and cold was the ground was included because according to Carl Sagan it
because according to Carl Sagan it
because according to Carl Sagan it concerns a situation he faced many times
concerns a situation he faced many times
concerns a situation he faced many times in his life nightfall with no place to
in his life nightfall with no place to
in his life nightfall with no place to sleep and since humans appeared on this
sleep and since humans appeared on this
sleep and since humans appeared on this earth the shroud of night has yet to
earth the shroud of night has yet to
earth the shroud of night has yet to fall or touch a man or woman in the same
fall or touch a man or woman in the same
fall or touch a man or woman in the same plight Johnson’s life may have been
plight Johnson’s life may have been
plight Johnson’s life may have been filled with sadness and neglect but his
filled with sadness and neglect but his
filled with sadness and neglect but his memory lives on as a messenger of peace
memory lives on as a messenger of peace
memory lives on as a messenger of peace for all of mankind but what do Jon and
for all of mankind but what do Jon and
for all of mankind but what do Jon and Blind Willie Johnson have to do with my
Blind Willie Johnson have to do with my
Blind Willie Johnson have to do with my brother well immediately after Collins
brother well immediately after Collins
brother well immediately after Collins death I began to think why why I am me
death I began to think why why I am me
death I began to think why why I am me I’m only 11
I’m only 11
I’m only 11 I was left destroyed heartbroken and
I was left destroyed heartbroken and
I was left destroyed heartbroken and helpless and then I began to think it
helpless and then I began to think it
helpless and then I began to think it doesn’t have to be this way I understood
doesn’t have to be this way I understood
doesn’t have to be this way I understood that stories like mine happened across
that stories like mine happened across
that stories like mine happened across the United States to kids just like me
the United States to kids just like me
the United States to kids just like me every single day and I knew I could be a
every single day and I knew I could be a
every single day and I knew I could be a candle in a dark room and do something
candle in a dark room and do something
candle in a dark room and do something to stop stories like mine from happening
to stop stories like mine from happening
to stop stories like mine from happening making sure that kids in my community
making sure that kids in my community
making sure that kids in my community could go back to their brother sister
could go back to their brother sister
could go back to their brother sister friend or parent through a group I am a
friend or parent through a group I am a
friend or parent through a group I am a part of Laker Youth Road crew a group of
part of Laker Youth Road crew a group of
part of Laker Youth Road crew a group of youth against drugs and underage
youth against drugs and underage
youth against drugs and underage drinking I began speaking at schools
drinking I began speaking at schools
drinking I began speaking at schools I enjoyed sharing my story and meeting
I enjoyed sharing my story and meeting
I enjoyed sharing my story and meeting kids from across my area I am able to do
kids from across my area I am able to do
kids from across my area I am able to do all of this through the unconditional
all of this through the unconditional
all of this through the unconditional and unwavering support of my mother
and unwavering support of my mother
and unwavering support of my mother whose own voice in the community has
whose own voice in the community has
whose own voice in the community has only grown stronger over these years as
only grown stronger over these years as
only grown stronger over these years as her hard work and dedication pays off
her hard work and dedication pays off
her hard work and dedication pays off yet I knew I could do more this past
yet I knew I could do more this past
yet I knew I could do more this past year through the help of my family and
year through the help of my family and
year through the help of my family and dozens of volunteers I was able to
dozens of volunteers I was able to
dozens of volunteers I was able to complete a mobile drug educational
complete a mobile drug educational
complete a mobile drug educational platform funded completely by grants and
platform funded completely by grants and
platform funded completely by grants and donations the project is a trailer that
donations the project is a trailer that
donations the project is a trailer that is set
is set
is set like a mock team bedroom that provides
like a mock team bedroom that provides
like a mock team bedroom that provides parents the information and preventative
parents the information and preventative
parents the information and preventative steps they need to take to save their
steps they need to take to save their
steps they need to take to save their own son or daughter before it’s too late
own son or daughter before it’s too late
own son or daughter before it’s too late the project has reached headlines across
the project has reached headlines across
the project has reached headlines across the nation appearing in newspapers
the nation appearing in newspapers
the nation appearing in newspapers online sites and magazines its reach
online sites and magazines its reach
online sites and magazines its reach continues to grow every single day and
continues to grow every single day and
continues to grow every single day and it has the potential to impact millions
it has the potential to impact millions
it has the potential to impact millions of lives in retrospect it wasn’t easy I
of lives in retrospect it wasn’t easy I
of lives in retrospect it wasn’t easy I was faced with loss but I chose to do
was faced with loss but I chose to do
was faced with loss but I chose to do something about it I didn’t choose to
something about it I didn’t choose to
something about it I didn’t choose to lose my brother but I did choose to
lose my brother but I did choose to
lose my brother but I did choose to improve my community through my own
improve my community through my own
improve my community through my own story of loss we’re sons some see loss
story of loss we’re sons some see loss
story of loss we’re sons some see loss and devastation you can find hope the
and devastation you can find hope the
and devastation you can find hope the crises and personal burdens we face are
crises and personal burdens we face are
crises and personal burdens we face are our own boulders we must roll up the
our own boulders we must roll up the
our own boulders we must roll up the mountain day by day they break us down
mountain day by day they break us down
mountain day by day they break us down emotionally physically and mentally yet
emotionally physically and mentally yet
emotionally physically and mentally yet every single day you have the
every single day you have the
every single day you have the opportunity to wake up and find some
opportunity to wake up and find some
opportunity to wake up and find some sort of good in the world to use your
sort of good in the world to use your
sort of good in the world to use your burden to improve the lives of others
burden to improve the lives of others
burden to improve the lives of others returning to John’s Danny lion as an
returning to John’s Danny lion as an
returning to John’s Danny lion as an example a dandelion
example a dandelion
example a dandelion it’s a weed it’s a tough stubborn plant
it’s a weed it’s a tough stubborn plant
it’s a weed it’s a tough stubborn plant that is difficult to remove a pest and
that is difficult to remove a pest and
that is difficult to remove a pest and while so many people across the United
while so many people across the United
while so many people across the United States spend hundreds of dollars to
States spend hundreds of dollars to
States spend hundreds of dollars to remove Danny lands from their yards it
remove Danny lands from their yards it
remove Danny lands from their yards it was quite the opposite for my
was quite the opposite for my
was quite the opposite for my grandfather
grandfather
grandfather nearly 80 years ago growing up during
nearly 80 years ago growing up during
nearly 80 years ago growing up during the Great Depression food was scarce and
the Great Depression food was scarce and
the Great Depression food was scarce and his siblings would scrounge for it
his siblings would scrounge for it
his siblings would scrounge for it anywhere they could a dandelion that is
anywhere they could a dandelion that is
anywhere they could a dandelion that is today a pest was then a precious
today a pest was then a precious
today a pest was then a precious commodity a plant that’s leaves could
commodity a plant that’s leaves could
commodity a plant that’s leaves could stave off hunger for another night do
stave off hunger for another night do
stave off hunger for another night do you see how powerful perspective can
you see how powerful perspective can
you see how powerful perspective can become on one hand an item is nothing
become on one hand an item is nothing
become on one hand an item is nothing but negatives and on the other the same
but negatives and on the other the same
but negatives and on the other the same item is life saving in a symbol of hope
item is life saving in a symbol of hope
item is life saving in a symbol of hope an obstacle to an opportunity a barrier
an obstacle to an opportunity a barrier
an obstacle to an opportunity a barrier to a bridge that is the power of
to a bridge that is the power of
to a bridge that is the power of perspective you’re going to run into
perspective you’re going to run into
perspective you’re going to run into bumps in the road turns you didn’t see
bumps in the road turns you didn’t see
bumps in the road turns you didn’t see coming and tragedy that strikes out of
coming and tragedy that strikes out of
coming and tragedy that strikes out of nowhere it’s inevitable it’s a part of
nowhere it’s inevitable it’s a part of
nowhere it’s inevitable it’s a part of life however what is not inevitable is
life however what is not inevitable is
life however what is not inevitable is how you react to such happenings Alfred
how you react to such happenings Alfred
how you react to such happenings Alfred Nobel saw his awful legacy and changed
Nobel saw his awful legacy and changed
Nobel saw his awful legacy and changed it John can’t keep up with other Scouts
it John can’t keep up with other Scouts
it John can’t keep up with other Scouts but he can impart lifelong wisdom Blind
but he can impart lifelong wisdom Blind
but he can impart lifelong wisdom Blind Willie Johnson’s dedication to his music
Willie Johnson’s dedication to his music
Willie Johnson’s dedication to his music not to his obstacles and tombs him
not to his obstacles and tombs him
not to his obstacles and tombs him forever as a mess
forever as a mess
forever as a mess jerk piece I lost a brother but have
jerk piece I lost a brother but have
jerk piece I lost a brother but have been able to touch the lives of
been able to touch the lives of
been able to touch the lives of thousands because of it and when I tell
thousands because of it and when I tell
thousands because of it and when I tell you these stories of empowerment and
you these stories of empowerment and
you these stories of empowerment and determination I’m not asking you to
determination I’m not asking you to
determination I’m not asking you to believe in my own ability to bring about
believe in my own ability to bring about
believe in my own ability to bring about change I’m asking you to believe in
change I’m asking you to believe in
change I’m asking you to believe in yours so the next time it feels like the
yours so the next time it feels like the
yours so the next time it feels like the entire world is against you beating you
entire world is against you beating you
entire world is against you beating you pushing you down telling you to move you
pushing you down telling you to move you
pushing you down telling you to move you plant your feet like a tree look at the
plant your feet like a tree look at the
plant your feet like a tree look at the world in the eye and say no you move
world in the eye and say no you move
world in the eye and say no you move thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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