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Book Review ~ Be a Coffee Bean

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

At a conference I attended recently, I heard a phenomenal message! Damon West, a life-convicted felon, shared his miracle story. The room was packed and as he continued to share his story, you could have heard a pin drop in that room. His message is riveting.

His bio from his website:

"At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury. He turned to hard core drugs to cope with disappointments of life. After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress, was a national fundraiser on a U.S. Presidential campaign and eventually trained to be a stock-broker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit."

After a divine meeting between Damon and a fellow inmate, his life would be changed forever. The inmate wisely shared a story about being a coffee bean. So, here is the main thesis of this saying:

If you take a pot of boiling water and place a carrot in it, that carrot will come out soft and mushy. Place an egg in the same pot of water and it will come out hard inside and out. Place a single coffee bean into the boiling water and the bean will change the water. 

Basically, this man shared with Damon that how he responded to the conditions of the prison, would determine how he would survive. I won't share the entire message as it needs to be read and heard by many. How Damon is now out speaking all over the world and sharing his message is nothing short of a miracle.

I highly recommend this quick read. What an inspiring message of hope and perseverance. It's wonderful.

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Comments(23)

faye schubert
Retired - Branson, MO
Living the Branson Lake Life

Wow! This sounds like a great book to read.

Feb 23, 2023 05:42 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Paula,

Thank you for introducing us to Damon West and his inspiring message of hope and perseverance!

Feb 23, 2023 06:30 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Wayne Martin, you are so correct. Such a simple principle with profound results.

Feb 23, 2023 06:37 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Carol Williams, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the book.

Feb 23, 2023 06:37 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Nina Hollander, Broker - I was locked-in during his entire speech. So great.

Feb 23, 2023 06:38 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

faye schubert, I heard there is going to be a mini-series about his story.

Feb 23, 2023 06:39 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - I heard him while I was in Austin. It was powerful.

Feb 23, 2023 06:39 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Without going into too much detail, we need a similar miracle in my circle.  I am going to order the book.  Thank you for the recommendation. 

Feb 23, 2023 08:53 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It is statistically rare Dr. Paula McDonald but we do see examples all around us where people change their ways.  The divine meeting was his calling ... he is now doing what he is here to do. 

Feb 23, 2023 08:56 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I was curious what you meant just by reading the title of your blog, but I love the message. Sounds like a riveting personal story 

Feb 23, 2023 09:39 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi again, Paula.
That was a quick easy read. Have you read the How To Be a Coffee Bean book?

Feb 23, 2023 10:01 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Ray Henson, the book is a quick and fun read. I hope your situation gets better.

Feb 23, 2023 04:48 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

You are so correct, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist. He really is out there doing what he was put on this earth to do.

Feb 23, 2023 04:49 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Carol Williams - yes! I bought an entire box of them to share with my team members.

Feb 23, 2023 04:49 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

What an awesome story Paula!  I'm so glad you shared it and Carol Williams featured it in her weekly post. I just watched the interview with him (most of it) and his energy and dedication is awesome.  I never heard of him and I can imagine hearing him in person would be another total level.

Feb 25, 2023 10:55 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker, it was riveting for sure. His story is unbelievable. 

Feb 25, 2023 11:08 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

It's believable to me!  Totally a miracle! 

Feb 25, 2023 11:58 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I’m always there for the coffee bean in that way. As long as it taste good night sis, I’m down for whatever. 

Feb 25, 2023 08:58 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Paula, for sharing this story.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Feb 26, 2023 11:50 AM
Cindy Baas
Baas Realty - Arlington, TX
Changing Lives

I was in attendance when Damon spoke at our conference. I had the privilege of having his book prior to him speaking. I was amazed and moved by his story. I have now incorporated it in my thoughts and actions when I am speaking with everyone, especially new agents. Thank you, Paula, for sharing.

Feb 28, 2023 06:55 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Hoping to get that book ... sounds like a great read!  Thank you for your insight!

Mar 04, 2023 08:32 AM