After three weeks of having relapsed, I entered Hanley Rehabilitation Center
in West Palm Beach. A rehabilitation center for alcoholics and drug addicts.
I had no idea what I had in store for me but having been in Marine Corp
boot camp over twenty years prior, I prepared mentally for the journey before
me. My experiences throughout my life had been rooted in heartache,
disappointments and anger. I resented many people around me. I continued
playing over and over in my mind my regrets, past failures and feelings of not
being enough to those I loved.
Upon exiting Hanley, I surrendered. I fully surrendered to life, to control,
and to the only One who dictated the obstacles and blessings that would
come my way, I surrendered to God.
I took a two-year hiatus traveling throughout the country, discovering endless
possibilities and a far different way of living. I learned to fully love myself,
which, without that, I would have stayed paralyzed and stuck in regret, frozen
in fear for the rest of my life.
I learned about the power of our thoughts, the importance of being present
and the need to find fulfillment in life. I became an expert in communication
skills and relationships and became aware that most of us don't even see a
glimpse of what is possible and attainable in them.
I learned that where you focus your attention, your energy and emotions in
your life attach to that. What I also discovered, along the way, was my
purpose for living, my passion, the one thing that sets my soul on fire.
I became aware of my lifelong love affair with people, with watching people
glow and helping people grow. I learned that every single individual is born
with certain inherent gifts given to them by their Creator, that they are graced
with, that are uniquely theirs. It is their mission in life to discover what that
is and gift it to the world. I learned the value of serving my fellow man and
being a giver rather than a taker in every opportunity presented.
Every experience I share with you in this book, my memoir, has made me
the man I am today. There is nothing that has occurred or happened to me
that was an accident or a mistake.
In my journey, it was through the virtues of faith, hope and love that
overcame and conquered any and all obstacles and hardships that I had ever
endured. I now spend my life giving unto others as an empowerment coach,
life guide and strategist; to explore with anyone who I have been blessed with
their presence, with the opportunity to jointly find what it is holding them
back from having the breakthroughs in life they are destined to discover.
I have completely reshaped my physical body, as well as my emotional, spiritual, and mental makeup. I have
overcome obesity, alcoholism, divorce, heartache, depression, anxiety, as well
as, suicidal thoughts and desires. I may not know the hardships that some of
you are going through, but I understand what it feels like to feel hopeless,
alone and afraid.
The transformation process was a long journey, but the end result has given
me a whole new perspective in life. In doing so, I have become a better man,
friend, father and human being.
My test has become my testimony.
Everything you desire in your life is there for the taking if you can get out of
your own way. Seek and thee shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.
It's time to break free to have the life that you were destined to live.
