Danny Czekalinski

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your hired

I’m an odd duck.  I left the world of radio eight years ago and in that time I have become my own boss.  I have relocated to my hometown of Cleveland and live in my basement.  I have a wonderful bedroom upstairs that is for my mom when she visits.  I have not been in my loft.  I have three TV’s downstairs, a desk, a podcast studio, three computers and a notepad.  I ride a Harley.  I don’t have a vehicle.  I support Uber and rarely go out.  In the past I have been accused of being difficult and I chose today’s blog as an opportunity to examine and address that accusation.

First of all I think people quickly assume someone is difficult when they are a free thinker.  I will always tell you how I feel.  There ARE bad ideas in brainstorming.  I never criticize unless I have a solution.  Too many people in the position of authority are insecure in their own leadership abilities, or lack thereof, that they only want you to bow down and kiss the ring.  To work for this type of person is to forfeit your own integrity.  I want to work for one that will guide me and not order me.  The best managers hire people and let them grow.  They let you fail because you cannot enjoy success without tasting defeat.

Critics of me, and there are many, want to silence me.  I could have played the corporate game and amassed a tremendous amount of money.  My integrity is not for sale.  You can take all my material possessions but you cannot take my mind.  I am 54 years old and I make sure I learn something new each day.  I have learned that the circle of true friends that accept you for what are is surprisingly small.

A job does not love you or define who you are.  It’s just the way of paying the cable bill and mine is $140 a month.  Family is everything and I am lucky to be home and rediscovering mine.  It’s never to late to change.  Question everything that is told to you.  Be accountable for what you say and what you do.  Do not fear making mistakes.  If that makes me difficult then I proudly wear that crown.

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no governmentKnowledge is power.  The more you learn the more you can protect yourself.  With the 2020 election looming, there has never been a time where lack of knowledge is threatening your rights as a citizen of this great country.

When the government becomes involved it historically leads to failure.  Look at Medicare, Social Security and the IRS as examples.  Simply stated:  less government means more freedom.  The IRS is a joke.  They need to be eliminated and a flat tax installed.  The more cooks in the kitchen only leads to chaos and confusion.

Those that are put in a position of power more often than not will fall victim to greed and that leads to corruption.  We see it every day in politics, law enforcement, government and the list goes on.  We need to stand up and take responsibility for our rights and freedom.  People will take advantage of you based on the fact that you don’t understand your rights.  Case in point:  nothing good ever comes from certified mail.  Do not ever sign for this and be aware of your rights.  Companies are constantly trying to steal your personal information.  Use the internet to benefit yourself and be aware that those that are corrupt will attempt to use the internet against you.

Critics will say I live a life in paranoia.  I can only respond to that based upon personal experience.  I have been used, lied to and taken advantage of in the past.  Those scars only build my knowledge and ability to not repeat previous mistakes.  There is a reason I chose to distance myself from people and the general society; true friends that have your best interests in mind are rare and you need to keep those people close.  Quality always will win over quantity.  I firmly believe that when this journey of live is over we will be judged upon our actions and decisions.  Are you ready for that day?

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512 x 512 fist

I don’t know where to begin.  It’s been a hell of a trip.  I have knocked on and have witnessed the devil’s door.  I am finally home in Cleveland after a long journey in radio that has taught me the lessons of life and what truly matters.  I was consumed with radio.  I gave it everything I had.  I learned that radio is probably like any other job.  It does not define you.  It does not love you back.  It will not be there when you are poor in health.  It is not your friend.

I am blessed that I have been given the ability to look inside myself and determine my weaknesses (there are many) and attempt to eradicate them from my being.  I owe that to those that have stood by me.  I owe that to God.  I’m not banging the bible but there is something more than this—-if you know of my coma of six days in September of 2015 then you know I was able to see the next level.  I don’t know if it was heaven.  I do know that there is more than this.

Moving from Florida was not easy after eighteen years.  I developed habits.  Most were not good but I got comfortable until I realized I needed to come home or die.  My mind has always been one of the gifts from God and it has been reborn.  Years of psychiatric care had me buried in a cloud of xanax.  A month ago I decided to stop taking this prescribed medication and I went through two weeks of hell.  What I have received in return was worth the pain, the sleepless nights, the fear, the sweating, the vomiting and the paranoia.

I have become kind of a recluse.  I think that’s natural as we grow older as our true friends eventually stand out.  I think that trust is something that is earned and not handed out.  I look back on my life and am aware that I was lost for quite some time but all I can fix is tomorrow.  So many people struggle each day, they take it hour by hour, they were high and now they are low, nothing is a assured, we have to have faith.

Thank you for reading this.  I hope I made some sort of connection with you by sharing my experiences in the past year.  Bottom line is we may disagree on  many things but we still are all together in this crazy journey of life.  I’ll hold the door open for you.  Please do the same for others.

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heaven

Death.  It encompasses so many emotions.  Sadness, grief, anger and fear to mention a few.  This past weekend I lost a dear friend to death as he passed away suddenly at the young age of fifty four.  Ironically we had a conversation just three days before passing.  We laughed at our differences in political beliefs, jointly expressed our distain for Anderson Cooper and had a conversation about death.

Three years ago this September I came as close to death as one can.  I was in a coma for six days and being kept alive by a series of machines and cables.  I saw things so beautiful and peaceful that there are no words to provide them justice.  I am not penning this piece to urge you to go to church or sell all your belongings.  I can tell you without doubt that are journey does not end here.

When we cry at death but to who are those tears actually flowing for?  I know it is natural because one that you love and care for so much has left this level.  IF only we had the strength and courage to know that we will see our dearly departed again on a level that is incomprehensible in our present world.

I am not a church goer or a bible thumper.  I am just a regular guy that happened to see the next step in our journey that is truly amazing.  This doesn’t mean we should live a care-free lifestyle.  On the contrary we should take time to observe and listen.  Don’t be so quick to get angry with someone you disagree with.  Try to learn something new every day.  I truly believe that life is quite similar to when you were in school.  We are handed many challenges and hurdles every day that don’t make sense yet they all serve a purpose.  It may take days, years or a lifetime to figure them out but the answer is there.  You have to put aside your emotions and open your mind and heart and pray for understanding.

The test will end someday my friends and I believe with all my heart that is when we are ready for the next level.  Take solace in your loss and heartfelt pain in knowing your loved one is in a much better place watching you as YOU learn what they already know.  Thanks for reading and look for your lesson that will appear before you today.

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cleveland

I always knew I was different.  When I was a teenager I was afraid to go to the counter at McDonalds and place an order for fear I would get it wrong or they would laugh at me.  Humor became the perfect mask.  If I could make people laugh they would not see my faults.  I fell in love with radio.  That “mystery man” behind the mic that would talk to me,  I wanted, and got, that life.  Although I was very successful I was running from an illness and eventually I crashed in February of 2011.

I have OCD, am bi-polar, suffer from depression and severe social anxiety disorder.  I have been in therapy for nine years and my doctor saved my life.  Depression is not just “being in a bad mood.”  It’s a feeling of all other options running out and desperation.  It makes suicide seem logical (as illogical as that may seem).  So how did I do my job, be successful at it, and hide it from everyone?  It started with alcohol.  It gave me the courage to walk in a room, size people up, and own it.  At an event I would continue to drink to feed the monster that wanted to come out.  When that wasn’t enough I turned to drugs.  Self medicating was the way I solved my problems before I found help.  I was never a druggie in high school or college or in my early adult life but I can honestly say I became an addict.  I have learned that addiction is a terrible disease and through the help of my therapist he has taught me how to control it and not let it control me.

I also found out that it’s okay to be scared.  I don’t have all the answers to the tribulations we face in life but in 2015 I was in a coma for six days because I almost let that monster inside of me win.  That was rock bottom for me.  For the past seven years I have concentrated on fixing myself.  For some reason God has let me survive to fulfill a specific mission that I have yet to discover.  I have been blessed to actually see what awaits us.  That first night in my coma the doctors were sure I would not see the morning.  I truly am someone that got a second chance and that, among other reasons, is why I have decided to go home to Cleveland.  It is my sincere hope that others that may have these feelings know they are not alone.  My mom says I tell everyone everything and have no filter.  She is correct but no one can appreciate the success without tasting the failure.  Every new day is a blessing and there is no guarantee.  Thank you for reading this and remember “never give up.”