From Successful Home Builder to Living With My Parents (AGAIN) – Life Happens to Us All…..And It’s OK!

I am sharing my story to inspire others who are hiding from their authentic selves. I believe that we experience setbacks in our lives not only to strengthen us but to give us experiences to share with and inspire others. I personally feel that when we experience life’s difficulties, learn from them and ultimately overcome them, we have a responsibility to share our personal stories to help others do the same. The picture above with the company polo is of me when I co-owned the real-estate development company, CEWE. However, after a successful run, I found myself broke, busted, disgusted and moving back in with my parents.

Life has thrown me some curve balls that I definitely did not see coming. As a former contractor, I experienced a repossession, a failed marriage and miscarriage with my ex-wife, MULTIPLE foreclosure’s including my former office and personal home, all within a span of 3 years. I literally, not figuratively, went from living in the penthouse to the outhouse. After being blindsided with unexpected news by a family member a few years ago, I spent the next year hurt, angry and in a depression that as a man, I did not want to admit that I was in. It got so bad, that I questioned whether life was even worth living any more!!! (BTW, that family member and I are back on great terms!!! Time truly heals all wounds!!!)

After being off of social media for several months a while back, I received a call from a friend after texting me out of the blue a month earlier because she had not seen me on social media in forever. We had not spoken for several months. That call was a life changer!!! It helped to confirm what was resonating in my soul regarding my life’s purpose to inspire and empower others. I can personally attest that NOTHING happens by coincidence and that GOD/Universe is working even when it appears to be your darkest hour. 

The great thing about all of this is that my setbacks propelled me into my life’s purpose and showed me that there is no way to happiness because happiness is the way. Happiness cannot be purchased. Without all of my setbacks over the years, I would have never been forced to dig deep inside to discover why I am here. To inspire and empower people to self-define their lives and live them on purpose regardless of what’s happened to them in their past. Only through overcoming my own struggles could I share my story to help people do the same. As I have found out, it’s not always about telling people what to do, a lot of times, its being able to tell them what not to do based on your experiences. 

Many people criticized me for being a grown a** man living with his parents again. What I finally realized is that all of the people that were criticizing me have or will experience “things” in their lives that they have been or will be to embarrassed to share. The only difference between me and my critics is that I have chosen to share my setback story rather than hide it. Living with my parents again has provided me another opportunity to be an entrepreneur and live my life on purpose, helping and inspiring others, including my parents!!! As a result, I do not work a job that I hate, with people I can’t stand for a boss I don’t like. Most importantly, I have something that money can’t buy and material things can’t provide, PEACE OF MIND. I stopped concerning myself with what people thought that weren’t contributing to my life, mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and since we are all grown folks here, physically too!!! My life instantly improved. I allowed my story to make me better and stop making me bitter. 

People are friends with people they relate to and connect with. People do business with people they relate to and connect with also. Never be afraid or ashamed to tell your story, personally and/or professionally. It will eliminate the wrong people from your personal and/or professional lives. Your authenticness is your connection to your “crowd”. Your story has made you who you are today. Your story is your personal and professional key brand differentiator. Own It, Live It, & above all, Share It with the world. We are waiting to hear it!!!

I hope me sharing my story inspires some of you to let your stories empower you rather than embarrass you. Whatever is in your past or present, is not there to hold you hostage but to free you to start living your life on purpose. Self-define who U are instead of being defined by your significant other, family, friend’s, the entertainment industry or society. Be the U that U were meant to be!!!

I look forward to facilitating the re-discovery of the greatness that lies within you and the answers to your questions that are there as well.

“I no longer regret the past, I no longer fear the future, I exist in harmony with NOW.” – Chuck Wilson, Jr.