Exploration of my journey as a Personal Trainer, Community Activist, Emerging Motivational Speaker, Life Coach and Author. I am an entrepreneur who broke free from the corporate world. Many ask about my motivation, ambition, and trials and tribulations...
This is the insight, vision, mindset and value system off of which I pave my road (it's still rocky)...
Today I want to share Courtney Bell's touching community project that I have had the pleasure to be a part of in previous years, and this year also!
Courtney is a Community Leader, Entreprenuer, Keynote Speaker and Personal Friend, who's motto is:
"Empowering People to Empower Themselves"
Courtney is the founder of the People's First Foundation and is a mentor to underpriviledged children. He is a young man who offers hope and support through the bible studies at local jails, is a keynote speaker at high schools and conferences, as well as a son and friend. I have had the priviledge to get to know and work with Courtney as a Personal Trainer (back in the day), as well as a volunteer for his organization's fundraisers, and other professional endeavors.
Last year, I was a volunteer for Soap for Hope 2011 for the first time. From the donations generiously collected in our community, we distributed laundry supplies to over 200 families living in motels here in Reno. There were about 15 of us who met in the morning, and sorted out laundy supplies based on a list Courtney put together from families in local motels. We then caravanned and spent the day delivering laundry supplies to every family on our list. Courtney personally interviewed each family, and set this fundraiser up because he saw the need; he believes every child should at least have clean laundry!
I can truly say that this was a wonderful experience, and open my eyes to the great need in Reno for simple necessities to be provided. Not only did I meet amazing, like-minded people, but I got to be a part of something bigger, and truly make a difference in the lives of otheres.
You can too! Here's who we're helping & how!
Data equation specialist statistical analysis project
(The families we will help with your help)
8 out of 10 families are single parent families.
9 out of every 10 underprivileged children go to school with unclean clothes at least three out of every seven school days.
9 out of every 10 low-income single parents are in need of assistance with laundry supplies.
10 out of 10 homeless and transient families are in need of assistance with laundry suppliesor dryer sheets
The Goal
Provide 200-400 single-parent, transient, homeless and low-income families with a month’s supply of laundry detergent, bleach and dryer sheets.
Locations to drop off laundry supplies and monetary charitable contributions
Belvedere Towers, 450 N. Arlington Ave., Downtown Reno; 775-324-5888
Location Hours
Drop off from 8am- 5pm, Mon-Fri or call and we will pick up your generous donation. Drive ends November 5th
Volunteer with Us on Saturday, November 10th!
Volunteer for Soap for Hope!
Drop off from 8am- 5pm, Mon-Fri or call and we will pick up your generous donation. Drive ends November 5th
Where?
826 Wyoming Avenue in Reno, NV (Off of Seventh Street by Raley's off of Keystone)
When?
Starts Saturday, November 10th at 11:00am until we are finished. You may leave at anytime.
How to Donate
Write out a check to People First Foundation P.O. BOX 162 Reno NV 89504
Have a drop box at your office and collect laundry supplies!
Tell a friend to do the same!
These organizations have partnered with us, we are asking for your organizations support to help 300 families with a months’ worth of laundry supplies:
The City of Reno's Senior Advisory Board
Doctors Wives of Northern Nevada and Alliance with Washoe County Medical Society
Microsoft
Scolari's
Girl Scouts
Unity Center
Sparks Seven Day Adventist Church
Reno/ Sparks Mormon Church
Wall Mart
University of Nevada Reno Men's Athletic Department
Pathfinders Children Ministry The Belvedere Condominiums
This effort takes a combination of $6,140 in monetary contributions and donated laundry supplies to help every 200 families.
Read Courntey's Inspirationation Story featured from University of Nevada Reno
As a Personal Trainer and emerging Life Coach / Motivational Speaker, I am always seeking knowledge and inspiration for myself to pass on to my clients, and the lives I influence daily. A major part of my catlyzed process I can attribute to speakers like Tony Robbins, Tara Mohr, JoshuaMetcalf, Zig Ziglar, and Eric Thomas (aka ET The Hip Hop Preacher (to name a few!)
Eric Thomas has had a special effect on me, as he has "Lit a fire..!" for me with his words of response to my ideas. In his words, he told me "Get it done!" But, I am not the only one who has truly been hammered down by his enthusiasm and powerful words!
Recently, ET released his T.G.I.F. video series featuring a man by the name of Max Bradley entitled "Thank God I Lost Weight". As soon as I saw Max's story (via Twitter), I had to get ahold of him. As a fitness professional, and someone looking to bring together an online community of aspiring speakers, Max's story is powerful! I've personally shared it with my clients and family, and want to share it here with you (if you haven't already seen it!)
Max was kind enough to do an interview to with me to further get his story out there to my viewers in hopes of further inspiring others with his weight loss journey!
This is what he had to say...
Me: Who are you? How would you define yourself as an individual?
Max: I`m 24 yrs old ,and would describe my self as a outgoing, dedicated, motivated and always striving to be the best person I can be. No matter what I'm doing: from work, to working out, or sports I always want to give and do my best. Love pushing my limits and seeing what possible.
Me: Tell us about your life and goals
Max: I live in Oak Park, Michigan currently. During the day, I work inventory control for a company that liquidates furniture stores, so I get to do a lot of traveling.
My goal is to inspire as many as I can with my story. Eventually I also want to get into personal training and motivational speaking, I know first hand what a lot of people are going through, and definitely feel it's a callling of mine to help. I also, as a more of a personal goal, want to move out west somewhere and start this journey from there.
Me: What's your story? Share your struggle...
Max: Well, I was always on the bigger side (never really huge) early in life. I always played sports so that kept me fit in school, but after high school and organized sports, I progressively got bigger and bigger. During the weight gain, I would try diets here and there, and started doing a little working out; nothing serious.
I was even offered money to lose weight, I tried to lose weight for girls I liked too, but nothing ever stuck. I was always doing it for the wrong reasons. In July 2011, I weighed in at 295-300 lbs. I was going out for a job in Alexandria, VA. They had this amazing gym and indoor basketball court (gym from the video). I said too myself, "It's time to stop living this way. You had your fun, it's time to man up and change things".
Me: What was the hardest part about being almost 300 pounds?
Max: I just decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired just like ET said. I knew it was my shot for a better, healthier life was now and I had to run with the opportunity. The hardest part was just looking at my self and being so unhappy with myself; knowing that I did this to myself. I was disgusted. Another hard part was my physical limitations. Not being able to do what my friends were doing because of my size.
Also, (I never really told this story before because it was the most embarrassing thing of my life), but I went with some friends of mine we waited in line for bout an hour for a ride. When we got there, I couldnt fit in the harness to the ride and had to get off. It was embarassing. All of these things inspired change...
Me: What changes did you make to your eating and workout habits?
Max: I was in the process of quitting pop/soda drinking and eating fast food. Then, I stopped eating fried foods. At the time, I was working about 65 hrs a week, but committed myself to working out after work every night. I also did tons and tons of research on what to eat, what boosts metabolism and started eating the right way.
I started small because I didnt really have a clue on what I was doing. I did this all by myself: no trainer, no nutritionist. So, I went with what I knew didn't work to determine what I should do. For example, I knew that running on the treadmill killed my knees, so I decided to try the elliptical instead. That process started slow, about a mile at a time. It took me 20 minutes the first time to get that mile in.
I progressively got faster and after 2 weeks of just cardio. I continued to do a lot of my own research on the best type of work outs to do, attempting to find anything that was working for other people. I also watching other people workout at the gym.The bottom line is that I wanted change!
YOU REALLY GOTTA WANT IT AS BAD AS YOU WANT TO BREATHE...
Me: Is being FIT, in your opinion purely physical, or do you feel that it's mental too?
Max: Being FIT is 90% mental for sure. the physical part of this was nothing compared to the mental hurdles I had to jump over. Your mind is a very, very powerful thing. Without having a clear focus and the right environment, you're not going to achieve anything you want in life; not just weight loss.
POSITIVE MIND = POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Me: How do you KEEP your weight off?
Max: Keeping the weight is the hardest part. If you saw ET and Giavanni Ruffin's HBDYWI Part 1 & 2, after I lost weight is were my personal part 2 started. Now I`m redefining the grind, by still eating healthy and continuing to workout. If I stray (which everyone does sometimes), I still know I could put in that work!
Also, always switching up routine, and not always going to the gym to work out! I like to take it outside and get creative with what I`m doing so I never get bored. I also always set new goals. Always striving for that perfect you! The only thing I can think to add right now is that I did is a trainer. I did all the research my self and did not have any expert advice of a trainer or nutritionist; now I want to become an expert! People need to hear my story to help them overcome battles such as mine.
Me: What advice do you have for others looking to acheive a huge weight loss goal, or goal in general?
Max: Don't be scared to watch others! To me, it's the best way to find new workouts. You have to hold your self accountable, and if you eat extra or things you shouldn't, you gotta put in that extra 10-15 mins in the gym that night no excuses/no days off from not only working out, but living that healthy lifestyle.
For me, after I initially lost weight, I fell into this place of over-confidence because you got all these people telling you how good you look and how amazing you are. With all the attention, I lost track of my goals and felt complacent on where I was at. I started eating whatever I wanted because I thought I was invincible and shot up 15 lbs quick. That was hard, but I looked at my self and said "You came this far don't go backwards now".
So it was gametime fo rme. I had to not only re-lose weight I gained back, but had to get refocused and really lock it down; which I did. The KEY to all of this is doing it for YOU, because no one else but your self is going to chose to eat that salad over fast food for you, and only YOU are going to drag your ass to the gym after working 10 hours everyday. When you want nothing more than to lay in bed and pass out, but you do it anyway is when it counts the most.
This goes for most things in life, no ones going to hand you anything you gotta work for it, So once I got back to the gym, I hit it even harder!
Anything you want in life is obtainable by hard focus and determination.
Me: So what are you doing now to further your goals?
Max: Currently still grinding a pushing limits! I am also trying to become a personal trainer and would love to motivational speaking to help others!
Me: Who inspired you to finally make a change?
Max: At the beginning I just started for me, but throughout this process I have found huge influence, and one of the biggest would be my boy ET. Hearing his speeches changed my whole outlook, and really lock down that focus, Also Giavanni Ruffin ! His ambition to succeed is amazing. He is a good role model for hard work, and seeing what it takes to perfect the you! Im also a huge skier, I love it with a passion, and my all time favorite skier is Tanner Hall. He has over come 2 signifigant injuries to where no body thought he'd ever fully recover, but he put in that work through had his road blocks he's coming back.
Me: You want to become a Personal Trainer now that you've lost so much weight & literally saved your own life; what do you want to say to inspire those who are currently struggling with their weight?
Max: I would like to tell you guys your not alone out there, people change their lives for the better all the time, YOU CAN DO THIS!! Keep grinding, stay focused and never, ever let someone tell you you can't do something. Make sure your doing it whatever it maybe for your self and the right reasons because if your doing it for someone else or the wrong reasons it will never stick.
Throughout your journey you will hit road blocks, might even go backwards, but never let your self get down because one bad meal, one bad work out wont ruin month/yrs of work. So stay positive and hold your self accountable because in the end your only lying to/hurting your self.
So there you have it! To all of my clients & readers, make sure to check Max out on Twitter!
@MaxBradley70
@EricThomasBTC
@Giavanni_Ruffin
@TannerHall
*Disclaimer *
I am in no way affiliated with Eric Thomas or Giavanni Ruffin, or any other name mentioned in this blog, other then looking up to them as motivators and life changers! I am simply using this opportunity to help Max further get his story out via my blog, provide opportunity and knowledge to Max in the fitness and speaking reals through my website, and reach my clientele and 8000 viewers in hopes to motivate them regardless of their current struggle! Links to all websites on here are courtesy links to give credit where it is due.
As most of you know, I have an upcoming website that is due to launch in January: Inspired By Purpose. Since we have put out our logo contest, we have been receiving emails asking for clarification on EXACTLY what our website is all about! So, here is the layout of our site, goals, vision, and how we are turning our idea into reality!
What is Inspired By Purpose (IBP)?
An online speaking community for aspiring motivational & public speakers to develop public speaking skills through video and feedback. But, this isn’t just for aspiring speakers! Any entrepreneur or anyone looking for motivation, can gain exposure through not only speaking but also writing, art, and music on our site.
What is Our Goal?
Our goal is to provide opportunities to those who are searching for a positive environment to grow in!
Many of you want to grow, but your environment isn’t helping you with that. You’re not sure what do to, where to go, or how to change it, so we want to create a positive space to anyone, anywhere. We are creating an environment that will change the face of our generation!
Our Vision
Develop leaders through peer review and feedback of videos, create opportunity for interns and other developing leaders to be featured, and encourage you through your process by spreading motivation through our speaking engagements! We aspire to create an environment for all young people to pursue dreams without limitations! No matter what your passion, you can use your gifts to make a career and great life for yourself! We’re aiming for the top, and we want to share our insight and resources with you! It’s all about building each other up!
What is Your Benefit?
There is no better place to come together then with like-minded people who have ambitions and high aspirations for themselves & their lives! We know it can be hard to find, so this site is your community!
You will get mentorship, answers to questions, career and life questions, network with like-minded people, gain support & inspiration during your growth process; as well as get exposure for your craft, and peer review on your work.
How did this Idea Develop?
We see that there’s a HUGE need for positive environments to be created for our generation because we are the ones personally living it! We are young and on our journey too, and we developed this site to support one another through the process of growth in our goals, and encourage you to do the same. It is possible! Too many people sit back waiting for something to happen, but we are proof that you can make it happen!
I personally, have had many affirmations in my life this last year that I am being called to motivational speaking; as well as consulting and career development. Thanks to Eric Thomas aka ET THE HIP HOP PREACHER and his feedback to an email I sent him about my ideas, and inspiring lives of others; this idea has come to manifestation. Eric (as busy as he is), graciously emailed me back with some advice, and told me to "Get on it!" From there, I have taken my idea and visions and have been running full throddle!
In recent months, I have joined forces with my partner and friend, Martin Lewis who is extremely dedicated, and has the same visions as I do. Through our partnership we have been able to catalyze this process, merge our ideas, and to deliver this site to you! This is our passion, and what we feel called to do. As we transition our lives from the corporate world, to our gift and calling, we realize that we also need development in this area. We also will use the website for our own development, and to fine tune our gifts; while helping our generation realize that instant gratification is not possible for successful people! We must all WORK at it.
Current Contest
Logo Contest! We are looking for artists, graphic designers, and creative minds to develop our logo and be featured on our site for an indefinite period of time! Please follow us on Twitter & Facebook for detailed guidelines, submission information, and a printable flyer!
Every day that I encounter people, I pass by them in the grocery store, talk with someone on the phone, listen to conversations, watch people workout, and even see how people interact with each other; I realize one thing - We all need motivation!
Haven't you experienced it? You smile at someone, but all they do is look down and keep walking? Or youlisten to someone complaining all the time about every situation that goes wrong in their life? Or maybe you are at the gym, and you see the person who only attends classes and darts out the door after because they need some personal motivation?
We can all agree that we live in a world where nothing comes easy, and bad things do happen to good people. Despite the bad things that happen, there are always good things that happen too. Often times, the good is all in our perception.
"Just three days ago the only reason I wanted to be in school was for the girls, field trips, or a pep rally. Now I couldn't wait fo rthe doors to open. I needed to get out of the cold and get into a place where I felt safe." p 35
It's amazing how the same circumstance we perceive in our emotional self to feel "good" or "bad" to us depends on our mental state of being, our needs, and our maturity. So the next time something "bad" happens to you, think about WHY you perceive that as bad. What is it about the occurence that doesn't make you feel good? That is, WHY you don't feel good about it.
All of us have our struggles, our series of life events that hinder us and try to keep us down, but I`m telling you that YOU have more control then you think! Too many people accept that they are merely depressed, have bad luck, they'll always be broke, or nothing will ever go right for them. This is false and negative talk!
Whatever it is that you're struggling with, or maybe you're just trying to stay up! You know, keep your head above water because you're waiting for that wave to come we have a FREE SERVICE FOR YOU!
Want your Monday Motivation texted directly to you every Monday morning to start your week in a focused manner?
Text MOTIVATION to 63566 to subscribe! Smart phone is not required! This is a way for us to reach even people without daily internet access!
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. DaLai Lama
Backstory: Mother, Wife, Tattoo Lover, Former Quitter, Current Inspiration
THEN
NOW
Having a difficult time believing in yourself? Have you given up? Well, meet Leeta! A wife, mother and former quitter...
Leeta's Story:
I have never been very athletic when it comes to sports, but I grew up dancing and went to a very competitive performing arts high school. After 13 years though, it took a toll on my body, especially my knees. After graduating, I never danced again. I tried here and there to build a regular fitness routine, but nothing ever stuck. I had almost constant pain in my knees and couldn't find any exercises that helped; to make it worse, the best advice I got from doctors was "if it hurts, don't do it." Eventually I just gave up.
When I had my daughter 8 years ago, I gained 55 pounds during pregnancy. Though I lost most of the weight, I know what I gained caused further damage to my already weakened joints. Several years later, I started gaining weight again, and I'm not even sure why. I just became less and less active and steadily gained about 10 pounds a year over the last 3-4 years. When I did try to work out, I got discouraged quickly. One trainer several years ago even told me not to even try to run on a treadmill with my knee problems but to stick to other equipment.
During the summer of 2011, I started thinking about joining a gym again. I wasn't even concerned with how my body looked at that point, but I knew I was unhealthy. I was tired all the time, my stomach always hurt, and I knew it was time to do something, but I still lacked actual motivation. In January of 2012, two friends of mine mentioned they were going to check out a gym in town, and I asked if I could tag along. None of us even planned on signing up for a membership that day, but we all did and agreed we'd go together on a regular basis. We met with a trainer there who wrote out a 20 week program for us, noting our goals and listing what cardio and strength training we should focus on every day.
I didn't even start this year with a goal. In fact, I didn't even take any "before" pictures of myself because I never expected to see the results I do now, 8 months later. Little by little, I realized there was a lot I could do to succeed. I paid more attention to the types of foods I was eating and how often; I'm a vegetarian, so I have to be very conscious of getting enough protein in my diet. When I first started working out, I was exhausted and hungry ALL THE TIME.
In June, I started taking Channell's free to the community, Shape Up Reno Bootcamp, and I feel like that really kick-started my body. I had definitely made progress by then and begun losing weight, but I feel like my weight loss has been supercharged and much more steady over the last 3 months. I've only been weighing myself about every 3 weeks, and have been down 3 pounds each time the last several times I've weighed. To date, I have now lost 28 pounds since January of this year. I now feel like I have a clearer goal in mind, and for the first time it seems possible. A year ago I would have told you I couldn't run from my bedroom to the front door if my house was on fire; now I go for regular jogs around my neighborhood on days I don't make it in to the gym!
As I mentioned, I didn't start this because I was necessarily upset with how I looked, but I wasn't happy with how I felt. Now I feel healthier, I'm stronger than I've ever been, and I'm certainly not complaining about the 3 sizes I have shed!
Keeping a healthy state of mind is absolutely critical to success in performance demands on every level, in every aspect of life. You've heard the phrase "Attitude is Everything!" Well, it is!
In a world of high energy performance demands in every field, a full schedule can quickly become chaotic without proper planning on a physical and mental level.
You've heard the saying that all activity is 90% mental and only 10% physical, well that's true! It's true of athletes, and it's also true for you. Whether you have a tedious desk job in which you must pay close attention to numbers and detail, or your have a physically demanding job of a construction worker or physical trainer, you must be mentally prepped and rejuvinated each and every day.
How does one go about attaining a healthy state of mind?
The answer is simple - Make the choice.
As easy as it may sound, it really is that easy! Only you hold the power over controlling your thoughts. It's extremely important to mentally train yourself to reroute your thinking when your mind becomes filled with doubt and negativity. Make a concious effort to replace negative with positive. When it comes down to it, your key is GRATITUDE. Be thankful even in the most difficult situations. As hard as that may seem, if you are living then you still have a purpose!
What are some practices to help train my mind toward positive thinking?
Meditation
Prayer / Spiritual Feeding
Silence
Journaling
Affirmations / Guided Imagery
Reading
How can I put what I learn in to practice?
Start with a focus and practice! Practice requires action not thought! In other words, put your thoughts in to action!
Become really good at the first practice that feels good to you (you're more likely to follow through with incorporating it in to your daily routine). Then, continue to build and set goals for yourself each week. Continue incorporating "you time", "family time", "friend time", "God time" every single day. We all know that work is a given. Particularly if you're in a position in your job or career that you don't like, make sure you emphasize your gratitude in the areas that tend to give you the most anxiety.
Practice these things, and soon you will find open doorways that will lead you to a more fulfilled position, whether personally or professionally or BOTH!
What can I do on a physical level to reroute my thinking?
Exercise! This is a no-brainer here. We all know that exercise is good for our health in our functional, everyday lives. You do not need train like an athlete to benefit from exercise (though some of us strive for that level anyways)! It can be as little as taking walks, or as physical as competition in a sport. The main thing is to keep your body in motion! Bodies in motion stay in motion!
Nutrition! Proper eating and water intake is aboslutely essential to functionability of the human body. You can not expect to mentally focus or function at a high capacity if you neglect your physical needs to operate at optimum energy levels. The same holds true in reverse - You cannot function optimally on a physical level if you do not have the right state of mind.
How do I identify where I need improvement?
That answer is simple - ask those around you. Trust me! People will be willing to offer constructive feeback if you are open to it. Don't have a great support system? Hire a coach or find a willing mentor who has your best interest in mind. This person should be someone emotionally neutral to you (in most cases), and someone of the caliber of success you wish to achieve. This person is your go to person (or people), and can help you identify areas of struggle that conflict with your success and state of a healthy mind. This person can and should also teach you valuable lessons about how to construct a better support system of indivuals around you. Even if you do have an excellent support system, a coach / mentor is still a good idea for unbias feedback!
What are some resources I can explore?
Most of you know I read a lot! I am also in to seminars, webinars, and watching speakers. When I`m really busy, I turn to audio CDs or YouTube clips in my car during commute times. No matter what you turn to in your quest for knowledge, give yourself options. Circumstances are rarely, if ever ideal! Make it work.
The most important part of having a healthy state of mind is believing that a healthy mind, is just as important as having a healthy body. The truth is that no outer transformation will ever be lasting or fulfilling without inner growth and tranformation coinciding.
Get healthy and decide that a healthy state of mind is essential! Make the choice.
Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.
Today I lead a busy day, like most every other day, but found myself touched by a specific individual I didn't even know. After an early and filled day with clientele at the gym, I headed off to go teach at City Hall downtown Reno for the Shape Up Program I've had the pleasure of being a major part of.
When people love us even in the shadows of our darkness, they shine on to us their light...
On my way I decided to stop at Walgreens to buy some cold water for the hot outdoor bootcamp about to take place! On my way in, I noticed a young man who was covered in dirt and a somber look on his face. He was probably about 20-25 years old. As I passed him, I smiled and couldn't help but think about him when I got into Walgreens. I looked around for something to buy him, and felt lost. I didn't want to offend him, but wanted to help at the same time. I decided on Trident gum (I know he hasnt brushed his teeth), Gatorade (every man loves the red kind), water, and mixed nuts (high in caloric density).
As I walked out, he politely aqsked me if I had a dollar to give him to catch the bus. I informed him that I did not have cash, but instead handed him the bag telling him I purchased those things for him. He seemed taken back before he looked at me square in the eyes, and I could see the person underneath the filthy external appearance and the unapproachable demeanor I saw when I walked in to the store. He thanked me. I said "you're welcome" as I walked only a short distance to my car. Looking back at him, I watched a college-aged couple throw a quarter at him and heard it bounce to the ground; obviously in the most demeaning and cynical way. The young man did not say anything, but instead went to pick up the quarter silently. I felt horrible for him. My heart could not let me just rush off to teach my class; even though I had only 15 minutes left to get there and set up.
So, I found a receipt in my car, and wrote down a website that I felt could inspire this young man. WWW.ETINSPIRES.COM. One of my favorite motivational speakers and life coaches that was once himself homeless. I walked back to the young man and told him of the website, and that I was unsure of his present situation, but that I also know what it's like to be alone and down and out. In fact, I was once myself "homeless" living in a motel in Reno trying to pursue my destiny. Again, he seemed shocked.
At this point, he couldn't look me in the eye. Emotions surfaced, as he tried to surpress them, and all he could do was thank me. He asked what this guy Eric Thomas does. I told him that he was a speaker and life coach who has overcome struggle, and has personally helped me see my life more clearly. He assured me he would "check it out". I walked away feeling sadenned, and wanting more time with him. However, I knew it wasn't the time or place. I can't save the world, but I can only plant a seed.
As I drove off, I watched the young man's gaze follow me all the way down the block. I didn't even get his name, but somehow I know I have to have had an impact. And guess what? Even though I was running late for my set up, not one single person showed up on time today. Nope! Not even the director Andy Bass, named 1 of 100 Most Influential People in Reno! He always helps me set up for my class. This tells me that this was no "coincidence."
Maybe taking a few extra minutes even though I was running late could be strong enough to save his life. You just never know where God will place you, and I believe it's our duty to act when he feel our heart strings being tugged on.
Now, I`m not using this story to boast or to say that you should give to every needy person you encounter because that is impossible. What I am saying it that is so important for us to recognize life outside of ourselves, and help others in need. The more you give the more you get! But, do not give expecting anything in return.
Today my heart was truly touched as a young man was willing to listen to me, allow me to help nourish him (even temporarily), and even in the hardest of situations that he seemed to be encountering, he trusted me enough or was desperate enough to reveal some emotions to me. For anyone who knows anyone down and out or on the street, this is a difficult barrier to break more often then not.
Imagine if our community of people all helped plant a seed one life at a time. Could you imagine the turn around in the poverty and the depressing nature of someone struggling? I can see it...
My life today was put in perspective by a young man who doesn't even know my name. I think he helped me more then I helped him. I helped him on his path, and he helped me on mine...
When our path is lit, we can gain confidence in the journey of our destination knowing that our path leads to somewhere beautiful.
Is your life in perspective?
Act as if what you do matters because it does! YOU have the ability to change lives! To save lives! To live your life fully and your dreams.
It all starts with sowing into the lives of others...
