Inspiration from the Swamp

Greetings.  I am hopeful that this note finds you all very well, enjoying the beautiful fall season, and living life to the fullest.  First of all, for all you Florida Gator fans, this piece is not about your football team.  They are doing quite well this year, and now that I live in Jacksonville, the Gator fans are everywhere.  My inspiration today comes from a very interesting and impressive man I met on my airplane ride home last night from Houston.  Over the years, I have met some very interesting an amazing people in the air, but the conversation I had with this man, R.J. Molinere, has held me captive until now.  Now, where I get a chance to write, share my inspiration, and pontificate over how interesting life can be if you stay focused and pay attention.  I have had the pleasure of flying with and talking to several prominent people during my many years of travel.  Most notably, Bo Jackson (of athletic fame), Maxine Waters (major player in the democratic party), and Jenny McCarthy (do I need to elaborate here?).  Bo Jackson was so incredibly friendly; we flew together from Charlotte to Cleveland one night, enjoyed several cocktails together, and had an invigorating and enjoyable conversation.  I can remember how confident and gracious he was, even though he had a serious shuddering problem.  It didn’t affect our conversation at all, as I was in awe of being in the presence of such a fine athlete.  It also didn’t affect his interaction with the flight attendant; as he actually got a date with her for the next evening right there on the spot.  Oh, to be a famous athlete, keep dreaming Tony.  Maxine Waters and I flew from Charlotte to LA, a very long flight.  She was also very gracious, very communicative, and shared some fascinating stories about Bill Clinton.  She described him as the most interesting and intelligent man she had ever met, which I didn’t find hard to believe, I was a fan.  For all of my republican pals (most of my friends…by the way…please let it go and stay connected to my story here).  As far as Jenny McCarthy, we actually didn’t sit next to each other, due to the fact that she bought 2 first class tickets and sat by herself.  However, I kept trying to strike up a conversation, and after a while I broke her down and she started talking.  I can be very persistent and persuasive, just ask my close friends.  Amazing what a few glasses of wine will do, especially since we were also going from NC to LA.  She was very nice, and we discussed Autism mostly, since it was something we shared in common.  No, I didn’t get a date, but I’m sure Bo would have. 

You see, I am one of those travelers that actually likes to talk to people on the plane.  I feel like it’s an opportunity to get to know someone new that you would never have met before.  As most of you know, I love to connect, and many of the people I have met in the air are actually in my Rolodex and will be reading this piece.  Pretty cool, right?  With all of this said, my conversation with R.J. is something I will not soon forget.  Some of you may have picked up on this, but R.J. is the star of the hit reality TV show, Swamp People on the History channel.  After he sat down next to me, people kept coming up, shaking his hand, and telling him how much they loved the show.  For me, I had never seen the show, as it’s not something that typically interests me.  That has changed for me now, after spending several hours with this great guy. 

RJ Molinere is part of the Houma Native American tribe.  The United Houma Nation is an actual state and a recognized tribe in Louisiana.  There are about 17,000 tribal citizens residing within a six-parish (county) service area, which encompasses about 4,750 square miles in the swamps of Louisiana.  I found this so interesting while we were talking, I have been looking up their information since, watching videos of the TV show, and learning more about the people.  I felt so inspired by talking to R.J.; I decided to write this piece in dedication of our brief encounter.  My underlying message for my writing today is that if you keep your eyes open, stay focused on building new relationships, you never know what you might learn or how your life can be enriched by meeting someone new and interesting.  R.J. certainly qualifies as interesting. Not only is he part of a Native American tribe and a now popular TV show, he is a 4 time World Champion arm wrestler, 11 time National champion, 2 time Arnold Classic Champion, and a 2 time GNC Champion.  This guy is man of steel; I mean absolutely no body fat, another inspiration for me as I set out to regain my own form after gaining some weight recently.  However, these were not even remotely the most impressive aspects of our conversation or this man.  We talked about faith, family, and overcoming objections.  Talk about 2 people that have almost nothing in common, that would be R.J and me.  Heck, his people (and him) actually live off the land.  They hunt, trap, fish, catch gators for a living (all of which I don't know how to do), but to me he was as normal and down to earth as anyone I’ve met.  As we talked more, we drew upon each other’s stories and had one of the most interesting conversations I have had in quite some time.  I shared my brief story with him about my early successes, my downfall, and my new life, my writing, and my recovery.  He was not only a very good communicator; he seemed to listen intently to me as I did to him. We definitely made a connection, shared business cards, and I am sure we will keep in touch.  He was actually coming to down to FL for a public apprearance, autograph signing, and the like.  He was telling me that they get requests to do this all of the time, the TV show is a big hit, and their lives have changed as a result.  I was so happy for him listing to his story, totally the kind of guy you want to route for.  He has a very special relationship with his entire family, but especially with his son (Jay Paul), who is also on the show.  This kid is the spitting image of his dad, talks like him, is built like him, and is also a star on the show.  I am looking at his business card right now, and it’s actually a card for him and Jay Paul, pretty neat from my perspective.  Listening to him talk about his son was really warming, and he also enjoyed hearing about my kids and my stories.  I would never have imagined, in a million years, that I would ever meet someone like R.J.  I think that’s what has inspired me today. 

I am a strong believer that there are really no accidents in life, and that people come in your direction for a reason.  However, it’s really up to us to stay purposeful in our quest to learn, our quest to get to know people on a deeper level, and our ability to communicate and start conversations.  I can’t tell you how my life would be different if I were not a conversation starter.  Go ahead my friends, give it a try.  The next time you on an airplane, at a public function, or anywhere else, make it a point to reach out and get to know somebody.  My promise to you is that your life will be enriched as result, and your days will more fulfilling.  I now have a new friend that lives in the Swamp, and a new eye opening experience.  In the end, just because people live a completely different life than yours, that doesn’t mean each person can’t make a significant contribution to the other.  For me, this is one of life’s most important lessons.

I hope that you will Google R.J., and watch the TV show (Swamp People) on the History channel.  It is very entertaining, providing you have an open mind to all sorts of life styles.  Theirs is unique, exciting, and it’s an experience that you are sure to enjoy. 

Peace…Tony