My First Blog…

Welcome,

First let me start off by saying that I'm not a doctor, nor a lawyer. I'm not in Corporate America [though sometimes it may feel like it]; I don't make an ample amount of money; and I don't have a master's degree [yet]. Nevertheless, I travel the country for work; I travel the world for pleasure; I have been promoted three times within my first four years out of college; I have had more business engagements than half my peers; I have been trained as a motivational speaker and am helping to change the lives of thousands of young, hidden talent in America; I bought my first house - a four-bedroom residence in downtown Washington DC (w/ tenants).

So am I successful? I don't know...I think so, but I don't feel comfortable saying it one way or the other. The ultimate question for me is, "Will I make it into heaven," but right now that seems like an eternity away...

I grew up with a single mother who has seen her fair share of abuse; I was tempted by alcohol, gangs, drugs, and other blights from my hometown; and the one person I wanted to look up to was going down the wrong path [though he's much better now]. So should I be on the streets, dead, or in jail like most of those who have shared a similar path? Maybe, but I'm not.

I am a young & educated black man who works for a non-profit, helping low income high school students get into college. I graduated from Duke University; I am a Sigma Man [You Know!]; I am a product of numerous developmental programs; and I'm definitely a self-starter. So should I be doing something else, something more prestige and dap? Maybe, but I'm not.

I know I might sound like I'm going through my quarter-life crisis or that I'm looking for purpose [which I already know is to serve God], but none of which are correct. I guess I'm just writing this to say that I know I am blessed...above and beyond how I could have ended up. Yet as thankful to God as I am, I still want 'more'...and the question to myself, to you, or to anyone else that may know the answer... "Is that greed or something else?"

Who knows? Either way, I look forward to finding the answer as I continue on life's complex journey. I am fearful of it not working out, but if the past has any indicator of what's to come, then I can't wait...

~Sheldon M