1.An adjective, able to withstand and recover quickly from difficult conditions:
2.able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed
In my life I’ve been challenged over and over by difficulties. Resilience doesn’t just happen, it’s something you must practice. I’ve learned to bend, withstand and recover quickly.
Because of my background in coaching, most things in my life are labeled by sports terminology. In basketball when you are facing one direction and want to make a move to go another direction, you “pivot”. In life, as in sports, being able to pivot when you meet an obstacle builds resilience. I had my life planned out. It was going pretty much as planned when I hit a major obstacle in 2020. While COVID was raging and putting many people’s life in jeopardy, my life was in jeopardy in another way with a pending federal violation of the anti-kickback statute and a crumbling marriage.
Prior to my time in the federal prison, I was gaining great experience in business. I had just helped two companies get off the ground. The concept of launching new and disruptive technology and companies was all very exciting. This experience was a great opportunity to learn and grow to prepare me for the next phase in life. However, now I must pivot.
Having a felony record will create an obstacle, but I believe that my drive and problem-solving skills should help me in being able to withstand all that is awaiting me as I prepare to return home. I continue to keep faith that going through this trial was needed and purposed. I am destined for a greater purpose in life, a destiny that has yet to be fulfilled. I believe my creator is trying to teach me to always be ready for plans to change. To be resilient. To endure. To overcome.
So, I learn to pivot. After all I’ve been through, I understand life can change in an instant. What is here today can be easily gone tomorrow. I cherish each interaction I have with other people. I seek to learn, grow and move forward to better things that lie ahead for me. I’m ready to prove my ability to be resilient. I’m only 41 and still have a lot of life left to live and I’m determined to give it all I’ve got. If I can look back on my life and know that I learned from my mistakes, then this time was not wasted.