I am from Kenya but currently in the US. Seven years ago after college I went to teach in my village, a remote part of Kenya. While there I met Benedict, blind, and living in abject poverty. In one sentence, written off, nobody thinks he can amount to become anything. However I saw potential in him. I set out to help him. the problem. he had dropped out of school more than ten years ago due to lack of school fees, this guy has been wallowing in blindness and poverty for all those years in some remote part of Kenya. I did not know where to start. My first attempt was to pull people who knew him and friends together so that we raise money and take him back to school, well, that failed miserably, no one was willing to help. Step two, I came to the US, left my teaching job and joined my husband who is a student here. I searched allover the net for organizations that help, blind or poor people in Africa. Wrote mails and made calls, nothing went through. I kept on praying.

Then to step three, I sat my husband down and told him how I have wanted to help this guy and yet we have no money to do that, but we can cut our budget squeeze the little we have and take this guy to school. We are in a stipend, not a salary and with children. He accepted. It was a big joy to see him set off to a rehabilitation center this year, he will join school next year. This has been hard and is going to be harder yet, he still has four more years.Back to school at the age of thirty nine now, high school. I told him if he wants to go back, I will be there, with God of course. It gets so hard like this week, when school opens, I just wanted to tell him to go back in the village and somehow, God will see him through, but we are sending the money anyway. I thank God.

Why do I share this. It has made me sit down, look at myself and see how else I can make money without applying for a traditional job. I still want to help more people, and I have realized, I will not borrow from anyone or even beg. I will soon join the 212 connection, I cannot wait. Thank you so much Dan, you have impacted my life so much from your articles, I know it will be great when I join. God bless.

Grace NJ.

The very thing you’re looking for could be the very thing you’re suppose to give to others. It’s not about puling up your own bootstraps; it’s about pulling up other people’s bootstraps. Somewhere in the process yours get pulled up as well.

God often takes pain and uses it for good.

When you meet your creator and you are asked; How did you serve humanity? What will your response be?

I have been lucky in life – I believe that you make your luck. After WWII I went to college and worked in manufacturing companies as a foreman, superintendent and manager. I did not do it alone. Others helped all the way. The most common theme was when I was helping someone else, others above me seemed to decide that I too needed a hand up

Give and it will be given to you.

A few thoughts:

1. Like many people of his era, my grandfather started with nothing, but became a successful builder and developer through hard work and creating relationships. He wasn’t wealthy, but was very well liked and respected, and the houses he built are still known for their quality. My father continued in these industries, but was not terribly successful, mostly due from a lack of confidence in his own abilities. I feel that my mission is to continue what my grandfather started: owning and operating a successful business. I don’t face the challenges he faced, but I do face challenges of my own: lack of capital, lack of experience, etc… If I can overcome these hurdles, people around me will benefit, as will I. This is what my grandfather worked so hard for!

2. Not to get too esoteric, but it seems that not having challenges growing up creates a challenge in itself! Work on overcoming THAT challenge.

3. If we don’t have challenges ourselves, there are certainly plenty in the world that could benefit from our attention. Get involved in a problem area in your neighborhood, or your city, or beyond. Who knows, you might find something you love, or are passionate about making better. Helping others is a great way to get out of your own rut.

Just writing these thoughts out is motivating me to get going! I hope they help someone else as well.

I coach executives who make millions, college students who can only spend $35 a week on groceries and working families who live pay check to pay check.

95% of my clients succeed in achieving their health goals of weight loss, more energy, and improving their entire lives just by changing their food.

Money, education, upbringing have nothing to do with whether these people are successful or not. The common denominator for their success:

They Are Willing To Do The Work, No Matter How Hard Gets.

These people, the 95%, not only accomplish their health goals but go on to see dramatic improvements in every area of their lives. I get calls and letters months and even years later from the 95%, excited to tell me about their new adventures in success.

The 5% who do not accomplish their health goals quit when it seems hard. Interestingly enough, they don’t usually quit because of a diet or physical feelings. They quit when the work becomes personal.

100% of those people quit at the pinnacle of reaching their health goals. They quit when it is time to work on issues of unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment. All of them become even more stuck in their lives.

A few of the wise ones end up coming back months or years later. They value their health more than their treasured secrets and grudges. They are now willing to do all the work; they become part of the 95% who succeed.

People who have means are sometimes willing to do anything as long as they can pay someone else to do the parts they don’t want to do. Those who struggle financially may feel like they would be able to do more if someone would pay for them to do it. Both excuses are the same; they are looking for someone to remove the difficulties.

It all boils down to what you value most. “This is something I want, I am willing to do what it takes to get there.”

Celeste Davis, Whole-food Lifestyle & Detox Coaching
Author of Give Your Body A Break and 8 Simple Secrets
Improve Your Life by Changing Your Food
http://www.thewellnessworkshop.org