I rarely cry, but today I did

Visiting my hometown brings me both pain and pleasure. I love seeing my family. My mom, my dad. My sisters. My nephews. My close friends. But as I walk these streets I'm reminded of my past. A troubled teen, a dropout, a misfit, a lost child trying to find his way.

Crazed & Confused.
Unfortunately, several of my friends weren't able to figure it out. Several of them are no longer with us ... Several of them are locked up still to this day. As I walk past certain spots in this city I'm reminded of past events that happened there. Rough situations. Some where I was lucky to survive. It's bittersweet for me.

These reminders not only humble me but they also inspire me. I use these memories as motivation.
Motivation that people can change.
Motivation that even the most lost souls can be found again.
Motivation that it's never too late.
Motivation that no matter how bad your past was, it doesn't need to represent your present or your future.
You can be anyone, do anything, and achieve everything you've ever dreamed of.
The biggest obstacle we face is ourselves.
Once we conquer that obstacle, everything else falls into place as it's designed to.
I've moved on from my past a long time ago. But I still go back every now and again as a reminder of how bad it had been, and I'll never forget where I came from.

For what it's worth, here is my advice for you this Christmas Day:
Let go of the pain.
Let go of the anger.
Let go of your fear.
Let go of allowing your past to define you.
This new year is a chance to reinvent yourself. To begin a new journey. To create more rather than to settle for.
Do something great with your life. Someone out there needs to hear your story. And I bet you have an amazing story to tell. Especially after you rise to greatness this next year...