Lucky To Be Here

If there’s nothing else you take from this book, I hope you will embrace its one central lesson: Grab life’s second chances. Did I find my purpose only because almost dying forced me to wake up and consider what life really meant to me? Yes. And I believe it’s a good idea to face head-on the fact that life is fragile and we are meant to find our purpose sooner rather than later. In the face of my mortality, I discovered the urgency to make every moment count, and I encourage you to do the same, preferably without the trauma of almost dying. Reflect on your own mortality. Recognize the value of your time on this earth. Embrace the reality and use that awareness as fuel to pursue your passions, dreams, and purpose with unwavering dedication. Of course, my path wasn’t a direct one to success. Before I became a college professor, company vice president, and entrepreneur, I encountered plenty of failures. Failure is an inevitable part of life, but it does not have to define us. I will share my experiences of hitting rock bottom and the arduous journey I undertook toward personal growth. I encourage you to view your own failures as stepping stones toward success, reminding yourself that setbacks are opportunities for self-reflection, learning, and resilience. This is essentially what’s known as a growth mindset. Life transformations require a mindset shift, from seeing challenges as insurmountable obstacles to opportunities for continual self-improvement. I developed a growth mindset by constantly seeking knowledge and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone to become the best person I could be. I hope you too adopt this mindset. I also hope that, after reading this book, you choose to strive toward gratitude, toward improving your work ethic, and toward seizing opportunity when it presents itself. Gratitude is the foundation of a fulfilling life. I should know. I emerged with an immense sense of gratitude for the chance to make a difference not just in my life but in the lives of those around me. Ultimately, I hope my story serves as a testament to the transformative power of making the most of life’s second chances. You have the agency to shape your own destiny and create an extraordinary life filled with purpose, meaning, success, and adventure. But you have to be willing to put in the work. Luck favors the prepared, and success comes to those who are willing to put in the effort. That’s why the people who work the hardest always seem to be the luckiest. Through my story of failure, recovery, and transformation, I aim to inspire you to find your own second chances. The central message is clear: We are all fortunate to be here, and with hard work and determination we can shape our lives into something extraordinary.