Discover Your Passion, and Live it Out LOUD, Daily!

As I was sitting this morning in a time of prayer and personal reflection, as I often do, I came across this video. It's only about 8 minutes, but it was one of the most impactful moments of my life. I consider it an investment into my character as a man, a professional, and member of the human race.

I watched as the woman told her story of passionately living her dream while serving others. She wakes up everyday to selflessly serve others and does so with a heart of gratitude and humility. Her words reminded me of why I got into business in the first place. From my early teen my mother would work her knuckles to the bone to support my sister and I. She was a single mom, with just enough to make sure we ate, and would often go to bed hungry. She didn't know, but I watched in silence as she often did this. I quietly made a vow, that I would do whatever it takes to help people like my mom. I would do whatever it takes to take care of her and others in her situation.

One particular occasion in my preteen years stands out to me the most. My mother, my sister, and I had gone out for McDonald's and she bought my fave at the time, a cheeseburger Happy Meal. I was obviously floating on air. I was a simple kid it didn't take much to get me all riled up. I remember that I had eaten most of the burger and taken another bite but felt full and wanted to "save it until tomorrow." I'll pause a moment for the inevitable groans and winces. HEY, I was a kid, it was logical at the time.

At the time my mother had re-entered school to become a hair stylist. The school was more than 20 miles away and she didn't have car available to her at the time. She was always having to walk, catch a bus, or find a ride to get there, but no matter what, she was determined to do something to get to school. I remember her waking us up to get ready for school. I recall as we were preparing to leave; she went to the fridge to find something to take for lunch. The only thing in the fridge was my half-eaten burger; so I offered it to her. I had totally forgotten about the hot mess in the container from the night before.

Now as a kid, I wasn't even thinking, but as I reminisce as an adult, I think "how gross, right?" I just knew I wanted to help momma. I remember the moment she opened the box and saw the hal- eaten mess in the container, I'll never forget the look on her face; a mixture of disgust and disappointment. I remember thinking of how much I let her down after witnessing all that she had done for me over my young life. The outcome, I watched her walk out of the door with nothing to eat for the day and 20 mile trek. I felt horrible; in that moment I knew, I never wanted anyone to experience that.

Fast forward to my college years, I remember having a sense on wanting to make sure that I always took care of my mom. I never wanted her to ever lack for anything. My passion for helping others grew. I felt myself feeling the same sense of compassion that I had for my mother's situation, translating to other people suffering from, not having enough. I decided then, I wanted to go into healthcare, medicine, or social work. My desire was that no one should ever have to feel helpless as long as I was around. Yeah I know, it's a lofty goal, but hey, I was 20. And honestly it's not a bad goal to have; I still believe it possible. So there!!!!

In my early 20s, I believe God granted me a vision of my pathway to change the world one person at a time. From that moment, I was determined to do just that. Now I've held various jobs across multiple disciplines and have always found a way to impact the lives of others. Even though my intentions were always great, there were times I just missed the mark or got off track; we all do, right?!?! Oh don't sit there and pretend you have no idea what I'm talking about. I' looking right at you, yeah YOU, I see you, right over there. You're not fooling anyone, ma'am/sir.

It was as I watched this video, I realized, that I had deviated a quite a bit from the vision I had in my 20s. I've allowed the cares and challenges of live drive me more towards a selfish desire to "make it." It dawned on me that I've departed from my most foundational truth. "Do what you love, do what you do well, and get paid for it. What you do with your earnings is a clear indicator of who you are and what you're about. Discover your Passion and Live it Out Loud,Daily." I realized that I had turned my back on my most cherished belief.

Watching the woman in this video live her passion so boldly, re-ignites my drive to re-envision my personal mission statement (everyone should have one). "I want to change the world, one person at a time; starting with myself and my family, spilling over to everyone I meet. I want to leave a legacy that God, my family, and I can be proud of." I wanted to take the moment to share her story, and mine with you in the hopes that her story and mine will inspire you to go back to your beginning. Ask yourself, "Am I really living up to, the reason I started doing this?" I'm sure you'll be surprised with your own response.

No matter how far off you've gotten from, "the dream," the reason you first started that business, class, venture, blog, post, or whatever; it's never too late to change course. I encourage you , "DO WHAT YOU LOVE; DO WHAT YOU DO BEST; GET PAID FOR IT, and share your passion to positively affect the life of someone else that may need it." If you a hand re-lauching, reach out to me. I will do my best to help kickstart you.

Have a blessed, impactful, and prosperous day. Touch someone's life today; you won't regret it.