comic_relief
Master Don Juan
So who here has had a life changing events that have forever changed their lives for the positive or negative?
Share your stories.
=========================================================
My two most life changing events at this point was in tenth grade, after I lost all of my "friends" to a bully, was stuck in oneitis for four years, and suicidal. I finally found self-help/sosuave and changed my ideals entirely.
The truth of the matter was is that I finally gained a backbone and realized that I deserve better then this. That is what got me started on becoming a the man that i wanted to become.
The second and much more important story which has shaped my entire philosophy is the story of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Taking Action for Recognition (STAR) Event.
I was told by friends and family that it would be impossible for me to go to states. Which I not only managed to score a gold medal, I also scored the nomination for the state delegation for the Pennsylvania FCCLA STAR Team.
Problem was, was that I needed to raise $2,000 in two weeks and rework my Event. No one other than my ex-girlfriend was saying that I was not going to go. I listened to my girlfriend and myself and said, "Hey, lets give it a try. Lets see what is possible and impossible."
I started to ask people for money. The first group of people that I asked was the school board, which gave me permission for the trip, a loan to pay for the trip that i had to pay back, and a gift of $700. Not too shabby for my first group to ask.
That leaves $1,300 left to raise.
First day of fundraising - $200
Second day of fundraising - $100
Third Day of fundraising - $220
Fourth Day of fundraising - $50
Fifth day of fundraising - $200
Sixth day of fundraising - $100
Seventh day of fundraising - nothing
Eighth day of fundraising - $430
On the eighth day, I went to my first prospective donor of the day and said, "Hi, i'm comic_relief and I am with the FCCLA. I am raising money for myself to go to the National Leadership Meeting."
The business owner looked at me and said, "How much do you still need?"
I said, "About $500, why?"
Her: "Alright, check really quick?"
Me: *checked* "$430"
Her: "Here is a check with that exact amount."
Me: ** "Are you sure?"
Her: "Yep, as long as you promise me for you to update me on how the trip went."
Me: "Will do."
I took the $1,300 into my adviser in a plain envelope and handed it to her. I left as soon as I finished it. My adviser looked at during her lunch break and counted it up.
She tracked me down and grabbed me by the scruff of neck.
Her: "Do you think that this is a joke? How did you get this money?"
Me: "I did a fundraiser."
Her: "Yeah, but there are checks in there for $100, $75, and $430. No one gives that kind of money, NO ONE!!!"
Me: "I suppose, but I found out that they do."
Her: "This is real money?"
Me: "Yes, they are real and I raised enough to go."
her: "Yes you did."
Then another tradegy struck that was trip threatening. My adviser couldn't go and I needed to find a ride there.
My instincts were put into gear. My then girlfriend was a higher up in the FCCLA and her adviser still had to buy tickets. I immeadiatly called to her and had a brief chat with her. Over the next couple of days, I had a flight and group to go with.
My detractors stood there in awe at the fact that I was accomplishing the impossible and doing it in style.
I not only went to the FCCLA National Leadership Meeting, but I was top of the nation!
Three lessons
1.) The limits of human potential are only self-imposed.
2.) The impossible is possible as long as one believes.
3.) An unshakeable confidence in one self will defeat any problems that one may have.
This story gave me the most important mindset of all time, to prove to people that the impossible is possible as long as one believes with a deep enough conviction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please everyone share your stories!
comic_relief
P.S. I am currently planning on hopefully another life changing event that will dwarf both previous events in scope and scale.
Share your stories.
=========================================================
My two most life changing events at this point was in tenth grade, after I lost all of my "friends" to a bully, was stuck in oneitis for four years, and suicidal. I finally found self-help/sosuave and changed my ideals entirely.
The truth of the matter was is that I finally gained a backbone and realized that I deserve better then this. That is what got me started on becoming a the man that i wanted to become.
The second and much more important story which has shaped my entire philosophy is the story of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students Taking Action for Recognition (STAR) Event.
I was told by friends and family that it would be impossible for me to go to states. Which I not only managed to score a gold medal, I also scored the nomination for the state delegation for the Pennsylvania FCCLA STAR Team.
Problem was, was that I needed to raise $2,000 in two weeks and rework my Event. No one other than my ex-girlfriend was saying that I was not going to go. I listened to my girlfriend and myself and said, "Hey, lets give it a try. Lets see what is possible and impossible."
I started to ask people for money. The first group of people that I asked was the school board, which gave me permission for the trip, a loan to pay for the trip that i had to pay back, and a gift of $700. Not too shabby for my first group to ask.
That leaves $1,300 left to raise.
First day of fundraising - $200
Second day of fundraising - $100
Third Day of fundraising - $220
Fourth Day of fundraising - $50
Fifth day of fundraising - $200
Sixth day of fundraising - $100
Seventh day of fundraising - nothing
Eighth day of fundraising - $430
On the eighth day, I went to my first prospective donor of the day and said, "Hi, i'm comic_relief and I am with the FCCLA. I am raising money for myself to go to the National Leadership Meeting."
The business owner looked at me and said, "How much do you still need?"
I said, "About $500, why?"
Her: "Alright, check really quick?"
Me: *checked* "$430"
Her: "Here is a check with that exact amount."
Me: ** "Are you sure?"
Her: "Yep, as long as you promise me for you to update me on how the trip went."
Me: "Will do."
I took the $1,300 into my adviser in a plain envelope and handed it to her. I left as soon as I finished it. My adviser looked at during her lunch break and counted it up.
She tracked me down and grabbed me by the scruff of neck.
Her: "Do you think that this is a joke? How did you get this money?"
Me: "I did a fundraiser."
Her: "Yeah, but there are checks in there for $100, $75, and $430. No one gives that kind of money, NO ONE!!!"
Me: "I suppose, but I found out that they do."
Her: "This is real money?"
Me: "Yes, they are real and I raised enough to go."
her: "Yes you did."
Then another tradegy struck that was trip threatening. My adviser couldn't go and I needed to find a ride there.
My instincts were put into gear. My then girlfriend was a higher up in the FCCLA and her adviser still had to buy tickets. I immeadiatly called to her and had a brief chat with her. Over the next couple of days, I had a flight and group to go with.
My detractors stood there in awe at the fact that I was accomplishing the impossible and doing it in style.
I not only went to the FCCLA National Leadership Meeting, but I was top of the nation!
Three lessons
1.) The limits of human potential are only self-imposed.
2.) The impossible is possible as long as one believes.
3.) An unshakeable confidence in one self will defeat any problems that one may have.
This story gave me the most important mindset of all time, to prove to people that the impossible is possible as long as one believes with a deep enough conviction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please everyone share your stories!
comic_relief
P.S. I am currently planning on hopefully another life changing event that will dwarf both previous events in scope and scale.