My 
Life! by Design or Default?
I read a chapter in the book Life! by Design and I have to say, it was quite powerful especially the story of the little boy who went through life thinking his mother blamed him for the death of his brother. Finally after many, many years, he finds out she did not recall the event as he did and her careless words which cut him like a knife were not even remembered. Proof that in the heat of the moment, you do not always remember everything you say.
This is a perfect example of how people view situations differently. Sometimes the smallest ideas or words can change us forever but, others involved cannot even recall the event.
My earliest childhood memories involve tragic events such as being stung by a bee prior to leaving for 2 weeks vacation and then ending up in the ER somewhere in lower Michigan for some painful procedure. I spent most of the vacation unable to enjoy the water or run and play since I had to have my foot in a bag. This event could be where I developed my fear of bees. I will flee if bees or wasps fly around me...
Then there is the time I was promised a horse back riding lesson and my sister, who was newly married and babysitting me would not get up, so I took off walking to the place of my lesson. I was five. I walked along a busy road for about 4 miles and thought nothing of it until I saw my father at my destination. I knew I was in trouble but did not really understand why. I mean I made it without incident. When I think about this now, I cannot imagine the fear my sister must have felt when she found I was gone. It could have ended so much differently.
My relationships were mostly positive. I grew up in a family of 12 though a couple of siblings moved out byor before the time I was five. My parents loved me however some of my siblings seemed to hold it against me that I was born last. I was the last girl born after six consecutive boys. I loved them all but have always felt they do not see me as a source of anything, especially knowledge. I think this may be why I continue to focus on education. Both of my parents taught me the value of a good education, hard work and the importance of money. My father was a very intelligent man and my mother is very smart as well. I had the best of both role models. They were/are great influences.
I have always been able to save money while still enjoying life. I admit it, I am thrifty. It is not how much you spend but the memories you make that count. While everyone else in my family was falling into debt and signing on the dotted line, I was paying my bills and creating some stability for my family. To this day, my siblings still think my parents gave me all that I have. I often wonder why they think that.
Am I living my life by design? This a very good and thought provoking question. I am still working on the answer. ;-)
This post is to help promote Tom Ferry's upcoming book, LIFE! By DESIGN. The contents of my post are the result of some self reflection the preview chapter of the book asks us to do about ourselves.
You can Pre-Order the book now by visiting TomFerryBook.com. You can also participate in the promotion being done by ActiveRain for a chance to win some great prizes and 2500 points by visiting the promotional post here.
Everyone that orders a copy of the book between now and April 23rd, 2010 will also receive one ticket to attend Tom's Success Summit, August 24-26th and the MP3 audio role play program: Objection Handling for Buyers, Sellers and Short Sales.
In exchange for writing this post, I could win an iPad or other cool prizes, and this is to let you know so the FTC doesn't fine me.
For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area www.SelectAnn.com .
Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!
All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed
Comments(10)