As you logged on today and saw the title of my Blog, you may have wondered what "path" is he talking about? Lets see what The New International Websters Standard Dictionary, 2006 Edition says. path; a route in which something travels or progresses;. OK now that we have the book definition, what does a path mean to you in terms of your life? Probably much in the same way the definition gives, but that "something" is you, and whether you like it or not, you are on one!You see a lot of people believe that they have total control over their lives. They think that if the simply make all the right decisions they will have all they have ever dreamed of. But yet how many smart, dedicated, honest, sincere, hard working people that you know personally are suffering right now? Did they choose their path? Do they deserve to suffer? Probably, is my honest answer. Most of the time people think that what they have accomplished is all because of their own efforts and hard work. OK, That's good you are the man! Now take away everything that you have, all your possessions, your family, your friends, heck you don't even have your dog Spot anymore! Where are you now!? Did the path you chose really fulfill all your needs? If you chose a path that helps people, you gave without expecting to be paid back in favors, money or respect, Then you probably have chosen a path that has been guided along the way by a power many of us can't comprehend, and probably never will completely because it is too complex even for the most brilliant of minds. Its called a "why" and that may friends is what all of us need to sit down on a routine basis and think about. Why am I here, why am I doing this job? Is it just to make money?Or does it fulfill my life and that of my families knowing that I create, build and provide a much needed service that helps me to feel fulfilled at the end of the day. If you can say that what you do every day creates a good feeling inside of you and you wake up wanting to go do your job or hobby or whatever you like to do then you may just be on the right path! Just watch out for those forks in the road, those are where the real you comes out and you are put to the test.
You see I chose a path that fulfilled me with money, power, respect and friends that were there when they needed something, or I had something they wanted or I needed something from them. This gave me the sense of power and control that I was looking for and for many years I felt great and provided money for my family. But I was never home, went out to bars with my "friends", and destroyed my health by doing drugs, drinking and eating foods full of fat and cholesterol. I mostly ignored the friends I grew up with and only hung out with my new friends. My wife put up with me but we lost that connection to the reasons that we got married in the first place and were mainly sleeping in the same bed together and raising kids together. But for a long time just were not connecting Then in 2008 construction work all but died, to say it got cut-throat is the understatement of the century. The real ugliness of people began to flow freely. Most of the contacts I had became competitors looking to save themselves and their business no matter what. People that I had known for years were now speaking badly of me or cutting my price after I told them what I bid projects at. I don't blame them, but I have held them accountable.In 2009 I lost both of my businesses, all my possessions, those friends, in less than one year! I started working labor jobs for minimum wage and living in my parents house and have been here for almost 2 years. What I didn't pawn or sell in a yard sale I eventually lost for lack of any place to put them. After losing my last job to lay offs and quitting another job after chewing out the boss on what a piece of work he was, I then started doing work as an affiliate marketer, building my own web site, posting links to my website via twitter, shared that I was on-line with all my friends on face book. Did all the SEO work trying to get on the front page and after about 3 months had about 300 visits a month. I fell into a deep depression as I was spending more time again on my computer than I was with my family, I literally ignored my kids and wife! This was my last ditch effort to make a decent living, I thought, a living that would continue to provide money after I built it up and got on the front page of search engines, all of my dreams would come true.Well I found that it takes years and money to get a website built up to the front page of search engines. All the hype I bought into was a only making the people I bought the information from money. Everything was set up by them so that you keep buying a small piece of the puzzle. By the time I realized this I could have just paid for ads like everyone else and been just as productive or perhaps even better. This area in my life was my roughest path yet but it would end up being my salvation.
One day I looked over on my table and there was a book I had forgotten all about. I picked it up and read it from cover to cover twice in about a weeks time. I then was given a workbook to help me see even deeper into that book and all the answers came to me as I read that book once again. Finally I just sat on the edge of my bed and cried until I had released all the pain, hurt and anger that was trapped inside me for so long. I got the feeling like a thunderstorm had just passed over me, I rose up and felt refreshed, I felt that my life had changed and I began to see that all the little things around me were tied into one big meaningful life. That book was the Bible and it saved my life and has given me the will to get up and carry on with my life. The every day things I do, no matter what they are, have meaning , my relationships with my wife friends and family are unbelievable! I look at challenges as an opportunity and hardship as a way to become stronger and more knowledgeable. I saw that I was being guided throughout my life and gaining the knowledge that I needed to get to where I am today. Everything even the terrible things that had happened to me made me into the great person that I am. I see that I was forced to see the basic needs; Family, food, water,sleep shelter from the elements is pretty much all anyone needs. But does the basics give me satisfaction? I thought of this and I looked deep and asked the Lord for an answer and I after a few hours saw that unselfish deeds done by individuals, families, and even businesses have throughout history helped them develop wisdom,wealth and a legacy for for their children to be proud of. Is this a contradiction? No, you see when you are on a path of righteousness, not self serving, then that wealth is used to help give others that need a leg up the opportunity they need at that time. The wisdom that is gained from going through hardship is shared to help others to avoid what can harm them. So being a success at helping others and along the way gaining wisdom from their story and achieving success monetarily can give us chances to support others to obtain success as well. So I will continue to help others through helping them achieve physical and financial fitness. Keeping my focus on the needs of others and less time worrying about what I need to get out of them. This is my "path" follow me, better yet join me, so that we can help change our world to a healthier place to live.
You see I chose a path that fulfilled me with money, power, respect and friends that were there when they needed something, or I had something they wanted or I needed something from them. This gave me the sense of power and control that I was looking for and for many years I felt great and provided money for my family. But I was never home, went out to bars with my "friends", and destroyed my health by doing drugs, drinking and eating foods full of fat and cholesterol. I mostly ignored the friends I grew up with and only hung out with my new friends. My wife put up with me but we lost that connection to the reasons that we got married in the first place and were mainly sleeping in the same bed together and raising kids together. But for a long time just were not connecting Then in 2008 construction work all but died, to say it got cut-throat is the understatement of the century. The real ugliness of people began to flow freely. Most of the contacts I had became competitors looking to save themselves and their business no matter what. People that I had known for years were now speaking badly of me or cutting my price after I told them what I bid projects at. I don't blame them, but I have held them accountable.In 2009 I lost both of my businesses, all my possessions, those friends, in less than one year! I started working labor jobs for minimum wage and living in my parents house and have been here for almost 2 years. What I didn't pawn or sell in a yard sale I eventually lost for lack of any place to put them. After losing my last job to lay offs and quitting another job after chewing out the boss on what a piece of work he was, I then started doing work as an affiliate marketer, building my own web site, posting links to my website via twitter, shared that I was on-line with all my friends on face book. Did all the SEO work trying to get on the front page and after about 3 months had about 300 visits a month. I fell into a deep depression as I was spending more time again on my computer than I was with my family, I literally ignored my kids and wife! This was my last ditch effort to make a decent living, I thought, a living that would continue to provide money after I built it up and got on the front page of search engines, all of my dreams would come true.Well I found that it takes years and money to get a website built up to the front page of search engines. All the hype I bought into was a only making the people I bought the information from money. Everything was set up by them so that you keep buying a small piece of the puzzle. By the time I realized this I could have just paid for ads like everyone else and been just as productive or perhaps even better. This area in my life was my roughest path yet but it would end up being my salvation.
One day I looked over on my table and there was a book I had forgotten all about. I picked it up and read it from cover to cover twice in about a weeks time. I then was given a workbook to help me see even deeper into that book and all the answers came to me as I read that book once again. Finally I just sat on the edge of my bed and cried until I had released all the pain, hurt and anger that was trapped inside me for so long. I got the feeling like a thunderstorm had just passed over me, I rose up and felt refreshed, I felt that my life had changed and I began to see that all the little things around me were tied into one big meaningful life. That book was the Bible and it saved my life and has given me the will to get up and carry on with my life. The every day things I do, no matter what they are, have meaning , my relationships with my wife friends and family are unbelievable! I look at challenges as an opportunity and hardship as a way to become stronger and more knowledgeable. I saw that I was being guided throughout my life and gaining the knowledge that I needed to get to where I am today. Everything even the terrible things that had happened to me made me into the great person that I am. I see that I was forced to see the basic needs; Family, food, water,sleep shelter from the elements is pretty much all anyone needs. But does the basics give me satisfaction? I thought of this and I looked deep and asked the Lord for an answer and I after a few hours saw that unselfish deeds done by individuals, families, and even businesses have throughout history helped them develop wisdom,wealth and a legacy for for their children to be proud of. Is this a contradiction? No, you see when you are on a path of righteousness, not self serving, then that wealth is used to help give others that need a leg up the opportunity they need at that time. The wisdom that is gained from going through hardship is shared to help others to avoid what can harm them. So being a success at helping others and along the way gaining wisdom from their story and achieving success monetarily can give us chances to support others to obtain success as well. So I will continue to help others through helping them achieve physical and financial fitness. Keeping my focus on the needs of others and less time worrying about what I need to get out of them. This is my "path" follow me, better yet join me, so that we can help change our world to a healthier place to live.
Wow, you are such an inspiration. This is truely what life is about. Money doesn't make us rich, “If you want to feel rich, count the things you have that money can’t buy.” I am excited to be a part of your path! I can't wait to see where it might lead. Your positive energy will help so many people.
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