Today I am sharing a column that will be published next month.
Inventing Your Life
“What Is Your Story”
By
Rob Claudio
As I was watching a special on television a couple of weeks ago, one of the speakers of a talk show asked a guest very directly about their story and how they became famous. The person answering the question took a long time to respond, because he relayed to the host that his story was very complicated and fame was a residual result of his primary passion, which was simply to be an actor. The actor's long pause made me ask that same question to myself almost simultaneously, as I envisioned myself sitting in that guest chair. I also took a long time to consider my answer as I contemplated what I would say. First, I do know that everyone who has had the privilege of living a few decades on earth, has a choice number of stories that they could tell with regard to what they have been able to overcome through the course of their lifetime. I have had some great mentors and wonderful friends that happen to be older than I am, which has provided me with great insight and plenty of stories that have inspired me to become a better version of myself, as a result. I also wholeheartedly believe that I have a ways to go. During the course of many deep conversations with people that were part of my life at one time or another, I learned that there were some very tough beginnings to people's lives, many of which could make your heart break. One of the most inspiring stories that was shared with me, was of this individual who had to leave his country of origin because remaining there could have meant that he and his family may have lost their lives. It was in Central America and a group of people who dismantled many established happy families were called the Sandinistas. I remember how his story had me riveted, as he fled with very few belongings and he had to travel across many countries north, before he arrived into this country illegally at first with his older brother. They both did not know what awaited them, after achieving this great feat of crossing several borders without losing their lives and then waiting to see when the rest of their family would be able to join them. Although I could spend an entire blog and a half to tell you about his particular story, I will conclude by telling you that this young man who arrived here under the most dire of circumstances, ended up becoming a legal U.S. citizen, went to school and then graduated from college, while later earning a P.H.D. from a well-known university in California. I recall that I was completely mesmerized by his story of personal accomplishment and after listening to what he was able to overcome, I felt like such an under achiever. Although I had my own story filled with personal challenges that I have faced, it was amazing to hear another story filled with human triumph and a living example of the possibilities that came with that type of perseverance. This is also why sometimes when I am stuck in traffic, or sitting in a waiting room or perhaps stuck in the busy lobby of an airport, the art of people watching for me becomes greatly interesting, as I begin to wonder what the story of a particular individual that I am next to might be. No matter what your own story is, I am hopeful that you have been able to achieve many of your own personal goals in your own life and have also shown the world that you are an example of great achievement. When given the opportunity, remember that you can always find inspiration in other people or even yourself, all you have to do is recant the story of where one began and trace what has transpired thus far. That exercise alone can bring a smile to your face and a feeling of exhilaration when you take the time to review. Ultimately, it may also rejuvenate your purpose as you refocus back on the path that you were meant to walk.
“The whole story is
about you. You are the main character”. –don Miguel Ruiz
