MY LIFE!!!!

As I write this, I cannot stop the wave of emotions that flood my soul. My life is moving so fast now, everything is changing and it is so scary. But, rather than worry about it, I know I am prepared for the future. Many people may wonder how I can remain calm as I face the unknowns of life. It is simple, when I look back at where I have come from I know there is nothing I can't face. The Lord works in such amazing ways in the lives of his children; my life is no exception. In this post, I will reveal some deep secrets of my past and my family that I have shared with few people. I am doing this for my own personal reasons. If expect no pity, no special treatment, and no one will even really care about what I have to say. I write this for my own benefit, no one else's.

Let me begin with my past. I was born to a homeless, drug addict in the city of Birmingham, AL. My mother is not entirely sure who my biological father is and she and I have no desire to learn the truth. My birth itself is a miracle since it almost never happened. My mother tried to have me aborted; the only thing that stopped her was not having the $200 to pay for the procedure. Through a series of events, she and I moved to Louisville, KY. This is where the first major step in my growth occurred. My mother met the man I know call my dad. Though he and I wouldn't know it at the time, this relationship we were forming would become one of the most powerful influences on who I am today. Under this man's guidance I learned what it truly meant to be a man. I learned the value of an education and hard work. My dad moved us out of the city and to Arkansas. As I grew, I had ups and downs, but I never missed a lesson from my dad. To the world, he is the man that married my mother; to me, he is the greatest father anyone could ever ask for.

When I left home to join the military, I learned about the world outside of my small farm. I had friends, I had some knowledge of the world, but I knew very little about other cultures and other types of people. I also learned that very few people share my work ethic and sense of responsibility for their actions as I have. I am not perfect by any means, but I do not try to excuse my mistakes, I face the consequences for my actions. A lesson many people need to learn.

After the military came my first experience with college: also my first true experience with the opposite sex. I had no idea how to talk to women, just like I didn't know how to take my college classes seriously. I made huge mistakes with women and my studies. Though I would be forced to drop out of college, God would bless me with the one woman who could see the shy and confused little boy I was and turn him into a man. She taught me confidence and how a real man doesn't just wear blue jeans, t-shirts, and ball caps.

I failed to provide for my family without a college degree. My wife, dad, and family pushed me to return to college. My dad said I couldn't live his life, I had to become something more than a dirt poor farmer. I returned to classes with a new attitude, and an idea of how to be a student. I quickly found my true talent. I know I am natural leader, an amazing public speaker, and a pretty decent writer. I also easily understand marketing concepts and can work well with different cultures. I became a student leader in my school's Phi Beta Lambda chapter. My time in PBL will forever be the most memorable part of my college life. I have made so many good friends, learned so much from my professors. Though their are a certain few that mean more to me than others (they know who they are I hope), every single person I worked with in PBL has become a part of my life. Williams Baptist College and PBL have given me so much, I can't wait to repay them.

Now, I stand on the edge looking at the next journey God has in store for me. I have no clue what will happen, but I know I can overcome every obstacle. I can do this because I have an amazing wife that pushes and gives me a reason to be better than I am now, a father that has given me an example of what type of man I should be, a mentor that I know will always be there when I need guidance, and such amazing friends to help me run this race. Though I will always fail, I will never be a failure. When I fall , I will always get up stronger, having learned from my mistakes. My demons will always haunt me, but they will never control me again.

This is why I am a Real Man!