Sep. 13, 2011
Keeping Things In Perspective
What’s important to you?
What’s your purpose?
Why are you here?
These are important questions to ask yourself. Sometimes however we get caught up in the rat race of everyday life or we often dwell on the negative things that are happening around us and lose focus on those important questions that constantly need to be answered.
There have been some pretty dark moments in my life where without asking myself these questions I probably wouldn’t have pulled myself out of that dark place.
Let me go back to those questions again now…
What’s important to you?
Is it how fancy or expensive your car is, or that you have the biggest and fanciest house on the block, or you have the most expensive perfectly stitched hand bag, or you have the best looking spouse than everyone, or you have to be seen in all the most popular restaurants and clubs?
What’s your purpose?
Why are you here?
It wasn’t till I started to really ask myself those questions that I found clarity on what I truly wanted out of life and how I was gonna go about obtaining it. After thirty something years I have a clear vision and purpose in life and that’s what awakens me in the morning and keeps me laser sharp focused.
I know what’s REALLY important and I have a purpose. I know that if I keep the answers to those questions in front of me Life will eventually give me what I seek.
Just to briefly let you know what my answers are to those questions: Most important to me foremost is my family and the people around me I love and in order to give my best to my family I make sure that I am physically and mentally at my best.
I have also come to realize that my purpose and reason for being here is to continue a flow of positive energy in the universe by helping and coaching others on being their best physically and mentally, to exceed their own expectations and not lead a life of mediocrity and complacency.
The following is a story of a friend of mine that I visited a few weeks ago for his wedding inVirginia. For the purpose of keeping his privacy, we’ll say his name is Billy.
Billy was my roommate and teammate in college and we became close friends. But through the years for certain reasons haven’t been in touch as much as we should. Actually before last week the last time we saw each other was 10 years ago at his first wedding.
What I do remember is not too long after Billy got married the first time is when he started going through some tough times. Now when I say tough, I mean tough.
After the birth of his kids who are about 2 years apart, Billy lost his job and was struggling financially. The burden of this and stress of their finances started to reveal a weakness in the relationship between him and his wife. I can remember receiving text’s from Billy how things were going sour with their relationship and how bad off they were financially. My heart went out to him but at the time there was turmoil in my life as well. Still all he would say is we gotta have faith brother.
From there we lost contact for a bit and didn’t speak. Over the course of about 2 years, I finally heard back from Billy and came to find out that he was divorcing his wife.
What I found out next was shocking to say the least…
The next call I got was that Billy got arrested for attempted rape on his ex-wife. I knew immediately this was false accusation! Over the course of the next few months, Billy was in and out of jail and court and was ultimately preparing for his trial.
The months leading up to his trial were terrifying and humiliating for him to say the least even though he and his family knew Billy did not do such a thing.
I remember texting with him at the time and all he kept saying was, “all I have is my kids and my faith, but just pray I don’t lose my kids”.
Finally it was trial time…And the truth came out and set Billy free!!
It turns out the court and officers did find out that Billy’s ex-wife concocted this false story, even ripping her own shirt. That moment right before going to trial was Billy’s test of faith. But his problems did not just dissolve.
Over the course of the next year or two Billy continued to try and find his way, struggling and working two sometimes even three jobs, not even maybe sleeping 2 hours a night.
Billy however would not give up, especially for his kids. That is the type of guy he is.
But then there was another blow where Billy would need to step up and persevere…One night while at work, Billy got the call to come to the hospital. The kid’s mother had taken a lethal dose of prescription pain pills and has over dosed. Billy would now become a single parent. Now finding his own way, Billy would have to raise the kids on his own.
This is a horrible story right? Don’t worry, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Ok take a break from the doom and gloom and let’s take this now to the present where after 10 years from seeing my friend Billy, I am at his wedding with his now beautiful wife and kids.
10 years later Billy has a good paying and stable job (yes only one job), he has a home, his kids are amazing and cozied up to me immediately as if I was their uncle, and finally a new wife that he loves who cares for the children as if they were her own.
Sitting at that wedding where I knew no one allowed me to see the joy in Billy’s face from where he has come from and how well he raised his kids under such difficult times and how in love he was with his new life and wife. Also how grateful he was for me to drive toVirginiaand be a part of it. In his own words, “I don’t NEED anything except the people I have here tonight and you are one”.
This evening put all things in perspective…The people in your life that you impact it in a positive way whether few or many is what is important, also what your purpose is and who you are is what defines us.
During great times of darkness with a clear purpose, faith and perseverance the light will shine brighter than ever.
Love ya B!
I hope that if you like this you’ll hit the “Like” button or share on Facebook with friends. Thanks!
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