"I Want A Rematch"

It was the fall of 2009.  I was just coming to grips with the fact that my career as a Realtor was coming to an end.  I had decided that I was going to pursue what I felt was my true calling and God's purpose for my life.  I started writing and preparing to speak anywhere that someone would allow me to speak.

I had a vision of what I wanted to happen, and I went for it with everything that I had.  Doing something new, after years of doing something so long that it seemed like second nature, was a struggle for me.  I knew that I couldn't go back to the good old days as a successful Realtor, and I wasn't used to my new career in the speaking and writing business.  But I kept moving forward.  I got my business registered, built my website, and joined organizations in my field.

I began calling people and looking for opportunities to speak and write.  Some people seem interested, and told me they would keep me in mind.  Then I got my first paid speaking engagement, and that was a very good feeling.  I'm thinking, "wow, this is really happening".  I was going to schools, youth groups, and having a weekly bible study at my house.

But the money wasn't coming in like I needed it to.  Bills were getting overdue.  Tensions were flaring with me and my wife, and all of a sudden, my new business didn't seem like such a good idea.  I felt defeated and if I had been let down by God.  So I began to slow down.  I stopped having the bible study at my house.  I called a few places here and there, but for the most part I stopped prospecting for speaking engagements.  I would still write, but not with the same enthusiasm that I had before.

It felt like I had gotten into a fight with life and lost.  I started to do other things.  A job here, a job there.  And the next thing I know, a couple years had gone by.  My passion hadn't gone away, it was just buried in fear, disappointment, and lack of confidence.

So I decided to give it another try.  A couple of years had past.  I learned some valuable life lessons, and had developed more wisdom and insight on how to do things.

I declared to life, "I want a rematch"!  Sometimes, you have to declare to life that you want a rematch.  During the time period that you felt you had lost and now, you will have grown, become stronger, and learned things that are going to help you in your "rematch".  And the fact that you have an opportunity for a rematch,  means that God wants you to win.

So review the, "tape" of life.  Look at the mistakes you made before and learn from them.  Use the training, teaching, and development that life has given you, and declare "I want a rematch"!

"Michael Vick Perseverance"

Michael Vick

Perseverance- It means to persist; to keep moving forward in a course of action, in spite of difficulties, discouragements, or obstacles.

I don't know about you, but I love a good comeback story.  Something or someone that you can relate to, that is inspiring.  In my quest to encourage and inspire others myself, I am able to make some wonderful discoveries of people and events that are life changing, to say the very least.

In the midst of all the doom and gloom in the media about how bad the economy is, the crimes and scandals, and other sad news, we desperately need some good news sometime.  A quiet (or loud) reminder that it is not all bad, and motivation to keep moving forward.

There is no stronger motivator, or what I call "the source of motives", than love and passion.  We all need what I call,"Michael Vick Perseverance".

The story of an NFL quarterback, who had the drive and determination to make one of the biggest comebacks in American history.

Michael Vick is an NFL football player for the Philadelphia Eagles football team.  He is one of the most talented players to ever play the game.  Vick played college football at Virginia Tech, where as a freshman he placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He left after his sophomore year to enter the NFL and was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. He became the first African-American quarterback to be selected first overall in an NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Falcons, he gained wide popularity for his performance on the field, and led the Falcons to the playoffs twice. Vick ranks second among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.

But in August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegal dog fighting, and served 21 months in prison, followed by two months in home confinement. He lost his NFL salary, he lost product endorsement deals, and combined with previous financial mismanagement, Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2008. Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not want Vick on the Falcons, and after attempts to trade him failed, Vick was released.

But Vick had perseverance and drive.  He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was reinstated in Week 3 of the 2009 season.  


<sup>This season, Vick is on track to be the most valuable player, make it to the pro bowl, and lead his team to the playoffs.  He regularly speaks to youth about making good choices in life. 

Despite of difficulties, obstacles, and discouragements,  he kept moving forward.  With a love and passion, (and God given talent) for the game of football as his motive, the world now has a story of one of the greatest comebacks and examples of perseverance ever told.

And that is what we need to have.  We need to have "Michael Vick Perseverance".  I'm sure that their were times where Vick wanted to give up.  Times where he threw up his hands and said, "what else can go wrong"? But he persisted and kept moving forward.  

So what's your difficulty?  A breakup or divorce? What's your discouragement? A failed business? What's your obstacle? Foreclosure? A bankruptcy?  Keep moving forward! Use "Michael Vick Perseverance"!</sup>