What are you leaving?

Most of the time when we talk about leaving, we think of negative connotations.  We think of leaving a job, leaving a boyfriend/girlfriend, leaving a store.....you get the idea.  That is how we are wired as a society now.  All we see are negative things all over media, TV shows, everywhere we turn.

But I am not a negative person.  I do not watch the news (except weather and sports).  I try, and usually, find the good side of things.  Now, let's get one thing straight, I can be bitter without being negative ;).  There is always a good side to every bad thing.  It may take its time to reveal itself, but God has an ultimate plan and for every "evil", there is an even bigger and better "good."

Some of you know my career path and some do not. So let me take a moment and share.

I worked in retail from the time I was in high school until just a few short years ago.  I held many different positions with some amazing companies such as NIKE, Tiffany & Co, and a little mom and pop company called Alumni Hall based out of Knoxville, TN.  I've been the, as my dad would call them, boot licker (associate), and I have been the one to wear the boot (manager).

My career really took off when I was with NIKE.  I worked there all during college, 40 hours a week while taking 15 hours course work (I was raised to always work hard).  My dream was to become a CPA for NIKE and work in Beaverton, OR at company headquarters.  After graduating college, I knew that in order to work my way up, I had to be willing to relocate.  So I did, to Nashville, without knowing a soul!  One year later, in the infamous words of Donald Trump, YOU'RE FIRED!  Talk about being devastated!  

I worked a short year at a Disney Outlet store (NOT the most magical place on earth), then to Tiffany & Co.  Great job, great pay, great people, and customers actually weren't too bad either.  Worked my way up and took an Assistant Manager job at a new store opening in Columbus, OH.  Wow!  Career was on a fast track!  I was making $65K+ per year!  Well, 8 months later, I was homesick.  Moved back to Nashville with no job, $0 per year.

That is when I had to REALLY sit down and decide, what do I WANT to do?!  What was I going to leave?  I had always loved subbing at my alma mater middle school (Seymour Middle), and I LOVE baseball.  So, I want to teach, influence young people's lives, and coach a little baseball.  So I went to school and received my Masters in teaching.

My first interview went great and they even needed help with the baseball team.  PINCH ME!  I landed a job helping kids and coaching a little baseball!  Salary of a teacher, about $35-$40K.

Now you know....

In my classes that I teach, I have what I call "Life Lessons."  They have nothing to do with parabolas, slope intercept form, x and y, etc.  They have to deal with real life.  One of them has to deal with success.  I have the students explain to me their idea of "success."  So I will pause and ask you the same question, how do you define succes?

Career? Money? Choices? Experience? Those are all things my students say.  Am I less successful as a teacher than I was in retail because I make less money?  Am I less successful because I have a job that many people "appreciate" but would never do?

Now let me ask you this, who determines success?

YOU and only YOU!

So here is MY definition of success and how I want to live it.

I consider myself successful because I have an amazing wife and family.  I am successful because I am blessed with a great son.  I am successful because I get to fulfill my dream of helping students see beyond X and Y and prepare them to be an adult.  I am successful because I have the opportunity EVERY day to do something great.  I am successful because I get to help others realize their dreams and obtain them.  NONE of which have to deal with money.

My last question, what are you leaving behind?  And what I mean by this is, what kind of legacy are you leaving?  What are YOU going to be known for?  Are you doing what you were put on this earth to do?

I have fianally been able to answer this question.  YES! 

I now wear two bracelets both given to me by a great friend, Brandon Forbes.  I am blessed beyond words that he was put in my life.  The first bracelet (pictured below) says "Be A Champion."  This, for me, represents my purpose in life and with AdvoCare.  My purpose is to provide for my family so they never have to worry about a thing.  To help others by inspiring and motivating them to reach their full potential!  

Last night I received the "LEAVE A LEGACY" one.  This one really made me think about exactly what it says.  This one represents my dedication and perseverance that I will achieve my purpose and goals.  I will leave a legacy for my child(ren) and with those that I help, inspire, or motivate.  I will be remembered as someone who genuinely cared for others and their well being, not selling NIKEs or jewelry. AdvoCare has blessed my family in so many ways.  Let me finish before you roll your eyes.  AdvoCare stands for "an advocate who cares."  No really, it does (www.advocare.com).  I care about my friends and family.  I want them to be healthy and financially stable.  AdvoCare is truly in the business to help people do just that.  THAT is why I was put on this earth, THAT is why I will be successful, and THAT is what I will leave as my legacy..... SOMEONE WHO HELPED OTHERS.