end/end/

Noun:

A final part of something, esp. a period of time, an activity, or a story.

Verb:

Come or bring to a final point; finish. I used to hate ending things.  But as I grow older, I realize that ultimately it’s for the best.  When I was younger, I would fight hard to keep things status quo, regardless of the looming signs.  By the time things did end, things had gotten ugly and out of hand.  But let us find hope in our times of despair. I sit here reflecting, pondering, and reevaluating my relationships.  There are those that put forth effort to reach out now and then and say ‘HI! How has life been treating you??  Let’s meet up!”  I do my best to be that way, reaching out now and then to old friends, keeping abreast of what’s going on with close friends, and constantly inviting them out to share in fun events, to see them as much as possible.  More importantly, when they are in need, I help.  When they are ill, I take care of them.  When they are down, I try to cheer them up.  I do my best to give, and give generously without expectation. Then there are those that do not care to reciprocate, or life becomes so busy that they become ingrained in the daily routine and forget what is most important in life. They rarely reach out because their world is so self-absorbed and self-centered.  They rarely see beyond themselves and they do not share in the joys of life or what good fortune comes their way.  Unless it benefits them, they make little to no effort in keeping or growing a relationship.  They would not go out of their way to assist when their help is truly needed and would make a great difference if it would be inconvenient to them.  Actions speak louder than words.  I used to think all this did not matter if I truly cared for them.  But now I am slowly realizing that I have been in denial.  I do admit I begin to tire of putting forth constant effort for years with such people. In the end, it matters not how much we make, or how much we own.  All that is left are the memories of us, and how we were to others.  Did we help build and grow or destroy?  Did we bring sunshine and happiness, or darkness and hatred?  Were we straight and upfront or dishonest and shady? When we are on our deathbed, what truly matters?  -I have pondered this a great deal since high school. I can only expect from others what I do myself.  If all they do is take, take take, and rarely reach out to say hello, rarely ask to meet up, rarely take it upon their self to put forth effort into the relationship, that clearly tells me something. Older and wiser now, as soon as I hear the other side say, “Let’s call it quits,” I don’t push back anymore.  I hear them loud and clear, and I will respect their wishes.  Ultimately, I know that I have given 100%.  I can sleep well at night, without shame or fear or guilt.  I know I gave it my all, and they did not care enough to try.  I know my self-worth.  I know that I am a good person with a good heart.  If they do not appreciate who I am and what I have done, I am content with myself knowing I put forth the effort with the best intentions in mind, and it is time to let them go. Thus, it was great while it lasted.  Let us bask in the moments of joy.  Let us reminisce the wonderful memories we have made.  Let us move forward in joy and not sorrow.  Let us not be bitter that it had to end. Each beginning has an end, and for every end there is a new beginning. It’s time to move on and let go… Your Friend, Joe Ciaccia

Happy Birthday in Heaven Mom

Today has been one of the hardest days of my life. I knew it was going to be hard, but the build up of today and Mother’s day has been really getting to me. I wrote this poem to my mother today on what would have been her 53rd birthday. I hope it finds her somehow. I thought I’d share. Thank you all for the support you have shown in the past year. It has meant a great deal.

Today is your birthday mom
But I won’t be singing you a song.
It’s only been a less then a year mom
But it feels eternities long.

Today is your birthday mom,
Your number is out of service is what I’m told
You are getting harder to reach now mom,
And this world is getting cold.

Today is your birthday mom,
I’m sorry I have no gift.
I guess I’m being selfish mom,
But I was kind of looking for a lift.

Today is your birthday mom,
But it’s not a happy day.
Smiles are now tears mom,
Since you went away.

Today is your birthday mom,
So I’m sending kisses above.
I hope they find you mom,
I pray you see my Love.

Happy Birthday Mom! </3

Sincerely,

Joe Ciaccia

So you think you have it bad?

So I woke up with this uneasy feeling in my stomach today. I just felt like I didn’t want to get up at all. I’ve had so many of these days since Mom has been gone but I keep moving and keep fighting on. There are reasons that I can never explain as to how life forces us to move on and keep moving as the world keeps turning. We all have those days we feel like we have had enough, we would love to just throw in the towel! Today was one of those days for me until as life would have it I stubbled upon this:

Just wanna share this beautiful inspiring video of Nick Vujicic, a man born without arms & legs. His positive attitude serve as a great example of the celebration of life over limitations.

Nick is thankful for what he HAS.
He’s not bitter for what he does NOT have.

I have never met a bitter person who was thankful.
I have never met a thankful person who was bitter.

In life you have a choice: Bitter or Better?

The Definition of a Hero (Confirmed!)

Wow! So I’m 30 Years old today…Forced to celebrate a Birthday without the person who was responsible for my creation. Some people may not view that as much of a special day at all, but in my eyes I’ve learned so much more in the past year then I have in the prior 29. In my eyes, my mothers teachings have far from ended and as I travel this path of life I see her warnings, wisdom, and rewards around every turn. I have plenty to be thankful for. As I blow out the candles this year my only wish is that you know, Mom, how lucky I am to be your son.

It was a month ago I spoke of the “Definition of a Hero” and sure enough as life would have it I had the blessing of meeting some of the Greatest Heroes this world has to offer. Shortly after writing, I was introduced to an organization that had every bit as much to offer me as I had to offer them. The Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, also know as “Frankie’sMission,” is an organization created from pain, love, strength, and dedication. All these attributes are something that as humans we experience in everyday life, but people like Camille Loccisano (The founder of the Foundation, named after her son Frankie), excel in using these qualities in improving the lives of others. There is no explanation offered other than it was her sons wish that strives her in the direction of growth for this now nation wide non profit organization. I could not possibly describe a Hero in any better terms. To dedicate your time and life for the benefit of others without receiving anything other than the satisfaction of helping is an amazing example of a Hero.

Along with having the  honor of meeting Camille and The Board of Directors, I also had the honor of welcoming into my world an amazing group of boys and girls who changed the world in there own ways. They were not your average children, by far not your average person; they were in fact not average at all, but SPECTACULAR to say the least. There names now embedded in my mind as “The Definition of a Hero” (as stated by Member of the Board Rich Rizzuto).

-Soumik Barua, an honor Student at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute who saved the life of a 5 yr old boy back home inBangladesh.

-Margaret Basti, a senior at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, NJ who is a BRAVO ambulance volunteer and a leader in saluting and supporting 9/11 first responders.

-Matthew Bramante, a sophomore in the honors program atXaverianHigh School, and major fundraising leader in the battle against cancer, and the Toys-for-Tots program.

-Hannah Ceretti, a sophomore atFontbonneHallAcademy, is a constant source of inspiration to her family, friends, and school community as she faces the challenges of Neurofibromatosis, Type 2 with exemplary courage.

-Billy Comis, A student at St. Edmunds who demonstrated quick thinking and courage in saving his neighbor when he had a heart attack in the street.

-Michelle Del Pin, an honor student atFt.Hamiltonhigh school who demonstrates amazing resilience and strength while facing and recovering from sever brain surgery.

-Althea Ebenezer, a student at Laguardia. Left her country to live in theUSand nurse her sister, a pediatric cancer patient, through two stem cell transplants.

-Anthony Romano, a student atMidtownCommunitySchool, lost his brother to cancer at the age of 7 and has become a major force in fundraising forCampSunshinefor children with cancer.

-Nicholas Russo, a resilient 15 year old who inspires his entire community as he bravely faces the challenges of a life-threatening and rare blood disease, lymphohistiocytosis.

-Annaliese Tucci, a student at Mark Twain, who developed a program to collect over 500 clean undergarments to send to impoverished women in third world countries.

-Katie Weinstein, a student at St. Francis de Sales in Rockaway, has donated her hair and fundraised over $100,000 to St. Baldricks in honor of her little brother, Mikey, who is battling brain cancer.

-Angela Zeck, a Student atColtsNeckHigh School, who started her own line of jewelry and donates 100% of the proceeds to cancer, in honor of her mom, a breast cancer survivor.

We often highlight how unfortunate our lives are. We harp on our struggles and get discouraged by the unfortunate events and occurrences that God had in store for us. Not these Men and WOMEN! No matter what curve ball life sent their way they responded with strength and courage. When others their age were being boys and girls, they were being adults and rising to the occasion as their community needed.

To all of you who have dedicated your time, heart, and brains to do your cause. Thank you for making me Stronger than I was, thank you for showing me Hope, but most importantly thank you for showing me “The Definition of a Hero.”

 

The Definition of a Hero

 

 

 

 

The Definition of a Hero:

He·ro

Noun.

1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

2.

a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.

In our world today I often question, “What makes a Hero?” I see so many people past and present honored at death as a Hero when all they really truly were was great at what they did. Does this mean that someone that is great at being a criminal is therefore a Hero because he mastered a trade?  Of course, my goal here is not to kick dirt or throw mud at any specific individual, but I feel that the “Label” is used too freely.

Consider some of the elements that make up a hero…

*The Pain — past wounds, discontentment, dissatisfaction for a wrong in their world, feeling of being trapped

*The Dream — a general feeling that they were meant for something more, a pull toward a specific point of growth or goal in their life, a yearning or desire to correct the pain.

*The Journey — a process of growth, challenging circumstances that mold the character of the hero, the path the hero must take to discover their purpose, to unveil their strengths and gifts, and prepare themselves for their ultimate destiny

*The Fulfillment — the self actualization, the hero comes alive and fulfills his purpose for the world, meeting the needs of others that he was meant for.

Think about some of the greatest heroes in your favorite movies or comic books. Think about the real life heroes in your life or perhaps heroes of past generations in world history. Consider their pain, their dream, their journey, and their ultimate fulfillment.

My favorite heroes growing up were my Mother ,My Father, The Fire Fighters we passed on the way to elementary school, The policemen I was told to run to (by mom) if I was ever lost of in trouble, and the Brave soldiers I watched on TV as my dad explained Desert Storm to me. I can specifically pinpoint pains, dreams, journeys, and fulfillment for all four. The beautiful thing is that they are all different. They were all built to touch the needs of specific people. It was their pain, dreams and journeys that enabled all four to reach the lives they were meant to reach. I can’t help but to feel its different today. Not that my Heroes were flawless because they surely were not but there intent was good. Their vision was true and pure.

Everyone can be a Hero. Its inside of all of us, we all have that special meaning to somebody. Whether it is the compliment we gave this morning that completely turned somebody’s day around or the smile we created from tears that were being shed. I encourage everyone to try and be a little bit of a Hero everyday. Just remember:

We were all meant to be heroes to someone.

I was created to be a hero for someone.

You were created to be a hero for someone. Believe it.

 

Your Friend,

Joe Ciaccia

* Definitions taken from Tribe.Ly “Tools to spark a Movement”

Definition of Life

Definition of LIFE

1

a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

2

a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b : one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog>

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the “Meaning of Life” and the impermanent nature of it all. Observing how we do what we do, the struggles we put ourselves through, the drama, the pain and the suffering. It seems that everything we once thought washes away to a new light the further you life and root through the fog of life’s unknowns. Our common perception is that life is this Infinite battle between “Good and Evil”, a life where success and money now determine who you are. Not how big your heart is and how great you live your life.

My outlook has changed from that of the Millions who believe in the “Battle.” I to have raced and I chased all so that I can make more money, have more success, be more attractive, and hopefully be happier in some distant future when I’ve hit some superficial and randomly selected target. When we reach that great achievement, what then? Does our journey stop short because we have won this game of life? Earned enough success to grant us a seat in the Heaven that is imbedded in our mind? What about all that we left here, all the stains of the tears we caused being shed, the blood spilled from the hearts we broke, or the footprints on the people we stepped on? Those must just vanish away as we wave that golden ticket in our hand.

I’ve seen so many things in the past year. As I stood reading the last line of my mother’s eulogy, I concluded “Set the table up there Ma, because in time we will all be coming home for dinner!” I expected a bolt of energy to jolt out of my body, a final farewell, a soul laid to rest finally thrust out of the room. Instead I felt a burst of energy and a push in a new direction.

In the last days with my mother, I realized life isn’t about Good vs. Evil, it surely isn’t about wealth and success either. Life is about finding the Good in everything, taking all you can out of every situation, and the imprints you leave on people’s hearts and minds. This isn’t something that is easily taught through faith or any book you might ever read but in a series of occurrences that take place in your own life. I could be wrong No one has ever solved the actual philosophical question “What is the meaning of life?” Maybe there is no one True answer but I do know for sure that this is mine.   

Your Friend,

Joe Ciaccia

The Definition of Unity

u·ni·ty (y n -t )

n. pl. u·ni·ties
1. The state or quality of being one; singleness.
2. The state or quality of being in accord; harmony.
3.
a. The combination or arrangement of parts into a whole; unification.
b. A combination or union thus formed.
4. Singleness or constancy of purpose or action; continuity

Life is a journey filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations and special moments that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. In the previous weeks you have followed me along my path in doing some amazing things with Bay Ridge Toyota, yet the symbolism behind the next event was more then just an act of giving.

This is a story of communities separated on by only blocks and beliefs but yet under a common belief they united, in love, to help a little boy in need. We were thrilled to have the oppurtunity to out stretch our arms beyond our community, presented to us by Mekimi and the wonderful staff at Dov Hikind’s office. We have these amazing people and John Giuffre to thank for my most valuable lesson let. I’ve learned that no matter what race, what religion or belief, we are all here under the same G-d to spread his gift of LOVE to all that we encounter. Enjoy our Video and Write ups below.

Brooklyn, NY – Just in time for Chanukkah season, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) teamed up with Bay Ridge Toyota  and Toyota of Manhattan and presented a 2012 Toyota Sienna Mobility Edition van valued at close to $50,000 to the family of 12-year-old Alter Pinter. Alter’s legs were amputated last year after he nearly lost his battle with a vicious case of swine flu which raged through his entire body and spread to his legs. He has been confined to a wheelchair ever since.

Hikind and representatives from Toyota presented the vehicle to the family at a ceremony today. “It’s easy to become cynical in today’s world,” said Hikind. “What Toyota has done is a shining example of the humanity that can and still does exist in the world. I am awed by their generosity, and am hopeful that other individuals and corporations will follow their example to help improve the quality of life for someone less fortunate. This is about different communities coming together to make a significant difference.”

Echoing Hikind’s sentiments, Jason Schroeck, Social Media and Web Manager for Toyota of Manhattan said, “This is about reaching beyond our community to help others. It’s about the season for giving. But more importantly, it’s about a child and family in need. The families at Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan hope that through our donation, we can somehow make life a little easier, and bring a smile to the face of such a wonderful little boy and his family in this difficult time of their lives.”

Hikind was initially approached by Mekimi Chairman of the Board Chesky Kauftheil about the Pinter family. Mekimi (www.mekimi.org ), which provides a host of support services to children and young adults who are combating cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, has been working extensively to help the Pinter family. “Mr. Kauftheil said to me, ‘is there anything we can do to help this family get a handicapped-accessible vehicle?’” Hikind recalled. ‘“Right now the only way to get Alter into the family car is to carry him from his wheelchair into the car. It’s very upsetting to him and the whole family.’”

Soon after, Hikind met with the boy and his family to ascertain their exact needs and immediately contacted Mr. John Giuffre of the Bay Ridge Automotive Group to ask for his assistance. “It was a no-brainer for him,” remarked Hikind. “He said he just had to work out the logistics, but that he would have the car ready for the family within three weeks. He was nothing short of remarkable. John is truly the hero of this story.”

“Mekimi is extremely grateful to Assemblyman Hikind and to all the executives at Toyota who helped make getting a handicapped-accessible van for Alter a reality,” said Mr. Kauftheil. “None of this would be possible without the immense generosity and kindness of Bay Ridge Toyota and Toyota of Manhattan. There are no words to express our tremendous gratitude.”

Your Friend,

Joe Ciaccia

Bay Ridge Toyota