For some people in life, pieces of the puzzle just come together very easily, but for me it was always a bit of a battle. Some people go about their lives accomplishing what they set out for without much of a struggle, maybe because they know the right people, have quite a bit of luck, have all the knowledge or are just at the right place at the right time. But instead of allowing the difficult times play with my emotions, emotions that would cause me to question my abilities, I learned to look at others for inspiration.
I recently watched the incredible film “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith playing Chris Gardner. A film that takes us through emotional moments that many of us have gone through ourselves, but experiences that so few have experienced. We learn about the struggles Chris Gardner goes through in life as he does everything he possibly can to accomplish that goal of someday being able to provide for not only himself, but most importantly for his son. It is an incredible film that many of us can relate too, though in my case not so much with struggles of homelessness as Chris Gardner dealt with in this moment of his life, but with the emotional roller coaster and the thoughts of “when will this finally workout”.
The night before I left home for Boot Camp I had written in my little phone book a quote. That quote was “Life isn’t suppose to be easy, it’s suppose to be worth it”. Well I still use that phone book today and although the second part of that quote was on the 2nd page which was torn out for some reason, I still come across that sentence of “life isn’t suppose to be easy”. As I grow older I learn more and more to be thankful for what I have in my life, a life that isn’t nearly as difficult as so many others. I’ve also learned that so many great people in my life and from all over are what truly inspire me to press on and do what I have to to get through the difficult times that stand in my way of accomplishing so much in this life I have been given.
I truly have learned that for me, life won’t be as easy as others have it nor will be as hard as others have it. Those that inspire me will be the key to helping me stay focused on what I am set out to accomplish in this lifetime, accomplishments I hope to always be remembered by.
Just a few of those who will always inspire me.
My Grandmother (R.I.P)
- Suffered through bone cancer, but found a way to ignore the pain to never stop smiling for her grandchildren
My dog Duke (R.I.P)
- After dealing with ACL surgery Dukie would have a leg removed due to cancer, but would continue to be the dog he was when I first adopted him, until a stroke would take away all use of his back legs. Dukie never gave up, he was just 7yrs old.
The children at the Gakoni Orphanage in Africa
- These are children who lost their whole families to genocide, have no one to turn to except for the other children they live with at the orphanage and the USAID volunteers. At age 18 they are no longer allowed to be a resident and many will find the streets to be their new home.
Our Wounded Soldiers who fall, but get right back up.
Their strength to overcome is truly inspiring.
For all of those who never give up, you inspire me, Thank You. -Steve
