Good Morning,

 

We all hear the stories about how someone came from nothing and, all by him or herself, became successful. The reality is that none of us have become who we are, totally, by ourselves.

 

We all had parents. We didn't choose them. We lived in a neighborhood and had neighborhood friends. Again, we didn't choose them.  They were there. We went to schools, not of our choosing. Many of us went to a Church chosen, not by us, but by our parents. We have had lots of experiences, some within our control, and most not in our control.

 

The point is, it is that we didn't do it all by ourselves. There are many experiences, not of our own making that have been the building blocks of who we are today. We need to understand them and how they have influenced what we do and how we see life.

 

Many people have overcome tremendous obstacles to become who they are today. I truly respect them for that. Obstacles, seen correctly, can be a great motivator to rise above them and succeed at whatever we chose.

 

Being self made is taking those experiences and using them as we move forward in life. Blame and making excuses should not be the game. Learning, growing and becoming the person we really want to be should be. Being self made is taking what we are given and then, good or bad, using them for good as we move through life.

 

Have a great week.

 

Jim