Heroic...

Allow me to present Alex Minsky, a marine who was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and lost a leg and suffered 3rd degree burns. Instead of letting himself crash into despair, he turned himself into a male model and fitness icon. The tattoos help to hide the burns.

I'm putting him up on here to give me a kick in the ass. I also posted about him on my facebook page. This guy shows just how much attitude matters when facing life. Mine's always been sucky and uncertain, due to things from my past. Scars I carry, both physical and psychological. Being gay was just the frosting on my fucked up life.

But then I look at a guy like this. He was damn near killed. He's got scars far more visible than mine. Yet instead of weeping under the weight of his existence, he flipped it off and did what he damn well wanted. And I'm just...stunned by it.

He models underwear with his prosthetic leg. He's got a dozen variations on it. He's been in regular clothes looking like the jock you crush on who lives next door. He's got a smile that is golden.

It makes me wonder how that happens. Is it genetics that helps determine your attitude? Upbringing? Support group? Is there some vitamin I could take to gain this kind of self-confidence? I wish it was that simple.

The fact of the matter is, he's just an amazing man who is worthy of admiration...and emulation.

He gives me hope for humanity.