Meaning behind my tumblr name
Remember... eat well, love like there's no tomorrow, make memories, never lose sight of the small things, challenge yourself daily. There are those who chase dreams.... and those who conquer them. Peace. Love. Respect. Na Palm
docnapalm.
I'm a medic in the army and at times for some soldiers - the best thing they can get besides a doctor. My career title is very often shortened from "medic" to "doc." This was a very intimidating title for me. In only 16 weeks I was taught the bare bones fundamentals of trauma medicine. I didn't want the title but I had to earn it.
I really liked it. I miss it. There's a very sincere and humanitarian emotional element attached to it that persists through all languages. I remind myself daily, not of the accomplishments I attained, but of the arduous and trying times I was faced with. My fear. My hesitation. My uncertainty. But overall... my unwillingness to quit, back down or give up.
Na Palm is a music artist I discovered through a friend after I got back from deployment in 2011. I was a party fiend and all of his party songs really grabbed me. It wasn't until literally a year later I heard and truly sat down and listened to his more inspirational music which I absolutely love.
While Craig Palm is the underdog in the music industry, I often feel I am an underdog in my life and career choice. I am, and never have been, anyone's first pick when it came to sports. At least, before anyone finds out who I am.
Napalm is a very destructive weapon. A gel like substance that burns for a very long time and has been used against civilian targets. Something I strive to prevent. I saw a lot of children and non-combatant civilians injured by weapons of war while I was deployed. It was never nice. A normal fire has to be maintained or it will burn out and die. Maintenance of a fire is difficult and is required of basic survival. Early tribes assigned a member to maintain a fire bundle while they relocated. It was a very important and essential task. Without fire, the tribe would not persist. There was an old unit slogan at the 232nd Medical Battalion, where I received my medical training. A large banner hung over the auditorium stage, "Keep up the fire!" and I read it over and over and most people probably never noticed it.
So, my tumblr name, docnapalm, is a reminder to myself to maintain my humbleness, respect and humanity to the world. But also keep up my aggressiveness, strength and perseverance when dealing with it all. To remind me of my fears, my failures but also my success and sincerity.