Life has its own ways of throwing you ups and downs. One minute you’re riding high getting dressed for football practice and the next you’re standing in front of a judge receiving a 3.5 million dollar bond. What follows becomes a choice.
You can fight or you can fold – I did a little of both.
For the next 15 years I plugged away at life. Taking whatever jobs that would open their arms to me. I earned a masters degree and also earned a ton of student loan debt.
Gaslight it was my assumption that if I kept my head down and conformed it had to get better.
It didn’t get better.
Now I’m in a meeting with my area and my division manager breaking down.
I’d had enough.
Unappreciated, underpaid, and over worked, I’m sick of it.
I’m in line for a promotion and it should be good enough, but it’s not.
It’s not fulfilling.
It won’t “Feed the beast”.
I’m not thriving, I’m barely surviving – I’m depressed.
I come out that meeting off the radar for a promotion, STILL depressed.
I’m drowning.
Something clicks, forget it – I’m done.
I put my notice in, who cares what happens next, I just know I have to move.
I’ve got to move my feet.
I’ve got to get back to me.
I was outgoing, spirited, fearless – now I’m a coward.
I’m scared of what happens next.
I’m scared to fail and I’m drowning.
Like Usher said – “This is my confession”
THE JOURNEY IS THE GIFT was born!
I don’t have all the answers. Hell, some days I don’t know where I’m going, but I for sure know I’m going somewhere.
My feet are moving, my head is high, and I’m creating again.
I invite everyone to follow my journey.
There will be reflection, there will introspection, there will be love, but more importantly there will be ME and how I’m getting back to myself.
You can follow my journey at:
Twitter: LuvYourJourney
james@jamescooperjr.com
Jacob Brown is a former NFL athlete turned transformational and motivational speaker with almost a decade of experience leading humans to overcome fear and fail forward in business, leadership and life.