Thursday, January 15, 2009

No Excuses!


So last night my husband and I attended a PBS taping of Dr. Wayne Dyer's new program based on his upcoming book, EXCUSES BEGONE!

I've seen Dr. Dyer before, once in Los Angeles, where he gave a talk based on another one of his books, and another in the airport in Maui, which was much more of an excited fan-girl moment than anything else. And while he can always be counted on for an inspiring, wise, and very funny, talk--last night's program became particularly inspiring when he featured an amazing young man named Dan Caro.

Long story short, Dan was burned (0ver 80% of his body) in a terrible accident at age two--losing both hands, some of his toes, and requiring extensive skin grafts and surgeries. And yet, despite all of that, he is now an extremely accomplished musician, playing the drums like you cannot believe--with no hands in which to even hold the sticks!! (Click HERE to see how he does it.)

Needless to say, I was in awe. Everyone was. Listening to the talk that he gave, calling what happened to him a "gift" as it allowed him to reach so many people, and then watching him take to his drum set and really come alive, left us all humbled and speechless.

And of course, this being a program about dropping the assortment of  excuses that prevent us from going after our dreams, seeing someone who'd suffered so much, embrace life in such a big way, made me realize I had very little to complain about.

If you get a chance to watch it--you should. I'm guessing the show will probably air sometime in May, around the time Dr. Dyer's book is released. I'll be the one sitting third row center, wearing a purple velvet jacket and jeans.

Unless I look bad on TV. 

In which case, I've no idea who that lady is!!


10 comments:

Keri Mikulski said...

Sounds powerful.. I'm sure I'll see it since I watch PBS a lot - Barney, Word World, Sesame Street, etc.. :)

Alyson Noel said...

Hey Keri- Oh, how I loved Sesame Street!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you look gorgeous, dah-link!

Dr. Dyer usually shows up on our OPB fund-drives, so I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of him very soon!

Alyson Noel said...

Hey Amy- How cool- I just love him!

Sara Hantz said...

Wow, Dan is amazing. What a fantastic achievement.

Alyson Noel said...

Hey Sara- I know, the guy is incredible!!

Anonymous said...

I saw the Wayne Dyer kpbs,
San Diego, have always whatched and listened to him, was looking for the titles of the two books in his "Masters Library." Books that he'd read, and wanted to offer in his KPBS100$ donation...
Do you know what those books were?
Your writing expressed beautifully the sentement of the program. I think it is very inportant for people like you to recap people's thoughts and emotions. I felt the same after the drummer. It's kinda good to be reminded. And I do actually know people like that. More than you'd think,in all different ways. Life moves so quickly, we don't always get the time to take it all in. I guess that's why we have movies. To remind us of what we've been missing as we ruch, rusch? rush? along? I think it all works...Romands 8:28....
(That just jumped in there)
Sorry to ramble... just wanted to find those books. THANX

Alyson Noel said...

Hey Anonymous-

Hmmm, was it the Tao books? If so it was the "TAO TE CHING" translated by Stephen Mitchell, and the other that he read from was "HUA HU CHING: the unknown teaching of Lau Tzu" by Brian Walker.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angel said...

I have become quite a fan of Dr. Dyer and I have seen about 3 of his PBS specials! In fact I have taken notes so that I will remember his information.

The story you mentioned in your blog post doesn't surprise but it does inspire me! What a wonderful story! It reminds of the saying I was sad because I had no shoes until I saw a man with no feet........

It just reminds one that one has a lot to be grateful for and that there are others who are far more worse off.

A very inspiring post that you have made! Thank you!

Alyson Noel said...

Hey Angel- Yeah, Dr. Dyer is really amazing, and his latest special is really good--I just watched it last night!