When I was a kid, I was taught to “Pay it Forward.” The concept of doing a good deed for someone else, when something good happens to you.
The reality of it, it never worked for me. I’ve always been a giver in my world. But, I don’t give credit for my success because I “paid it forward.” I give it to understanding the meaning of ambition, discipline and purpose.
In my 32 years of life, I can’t say I’m a perfect person. Reality is, no one is perfect. But, I have created thousands of jobs, given opportunities to people that were barely starting off, made some millionaires over and over, given back to charities and even started my own foundation, and in return for some of these good deeds, I’ve been deceived by these very people that came into my life. It’s crazy that money is what fuels some people to come into your life and then once they have it they leave. For me, it’s never been about the money, it’s always been about the journey.
That’s why the “Pay it Forward” doesn’t work for me. For all the negative energy that comes in my way, you can say some can become cold and callous around people. But, I haven’t. I know its in human nature to have good and evil. But, if you lose faith in good, you’ll never find the few gems in your life that will make a difference.
So, always keep an open heart and mind, and let people enter your life. But, understand, for most it will become a revolving door. Some will teach you, some will inspire you, some will make you a better person, but always remember most will try to break you and deceive you.
One of my favorite quotes I live by is: “A miracle is just a shift in perception from fear to love.”
Meaning good things happen to you when you let go of fear and convert that energy into love.
Always do good for others, but expect nothing in return. And, if you find something from them, consider it a blessing. That’s a rare gem.