This is the tale of my quitting — not once, but twice — and the steadfast belief that strengthened with each departure. I tell it now, for I find myself confronting yet another juncture in my life’s journey. Twice, I embarked upon this path, twice I turned away from it, and twice I was propelled toward a more profound sense of faith. And now, here I am, standing at the cusp of a third. — A year back, I resigned as an English teacher at a high school. This was my second exit. The first time, it was a hunch, a small voice urging me on. I’d been feeling something stirring deep inside me for a while, until it crescendoed into an internal ultimatum. A…

The unlikely story of a teacher who merely wanted to motivate people across the country, and in doing so earned $10K checks while learning to speak with strangers — Have you ever noticed the striking resemblance between the art of motivational speaking and cold-calling? It may not be apparent at first glance, but both require the art of selling. A motivational speaker aims to inspire and motivate a group of individuals they’ve never met, while a cold-caller has to…

The world has its own way of doing things. But applying spiritual tools unlocks another level of power, pride, and achievement, in ways society simply cannot offer. — In my youth, my dream was set in stone like an ancient obelisk. I yearned to be a basketball star, and the Orlando Magic was my passion. I wore their jerseys with pride, memorized every player’s name, and admired the prowess of stars like Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal. My…

This is the year you push yourself to new heights. Define yourself (and your fears), and never look back! — “I’m not playing a role. I’m being myself, whatever the hell that is.” — Bea Arthur It’s all too convenient to be someone else — I mean, we’re urged to ‘be and indivdual,’ and then are blasted when we color outside the lines. What other choice is there but to…

What in the world was I thinking? Though, the benefits may have been worth it! — “I’m vegan,” I said excitedly! I held the phone to my ear, anxiously awaiting an equally enthusiastic response. My younger sister is on the other end of the receiver. “Oh Lord, what are you doing now?” she groans. Not the reaction I was anticipating. Sigh. Sisters… It appears I’ve once…

“It’s the family you choose that counts,” says Andrew Vachss. And you know what? He’s right! — There’s what we had, what I thought we had…and then there’s what we have; and that’s not much these days. Lately, I’ve been bothered by a looming but necessary choice regarding key family members — more to it, their shelf-life in my ever-growing spiritual and economic marketplace: my heart. I’m…

Einstein famously said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” — “Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.” — Bruce Garrabrandt You never start with everything you need. I believe that. Maybe there’s just some universal law dictating that pioneers should never begin with all the tools needed to go the…

Over the last few months, God has used numbers, animals, people, and weather, to gain my undivided attention. And yet many devout Christians warn I’m flirting with the occult. — In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. — Genesis 1:1, ESV A year ago, I was warned I would experience difficulties with my health. A snake told me — actually, two snakes told me. I was walking through a lush, National Heritage Area located east of Atlanta…

I’m not anti-social, maladjusted, or unrealistic. I’m an entrepreneur. — Two years ago, I decided to go my own way. While it will go down as one of the more foolish decisions I’ve ever made, things have worked out fine — if fine is defined as strained romantic relationships, the loss of childhood friends, arduous personal-growth phases, and crippling anxiety. …