Believing (Story) & Merry Christmas!

[missed mallards]

Hadn't posted in a spell and figured what the hey. Figured I would do as usual and give yall a thousand words to read, and wish all a Merry Christmas!
Believing

A few months ago, a close friend gave me an opportunity. An opportunity of which I could prosper financially, I could grow personally, and one that I could give to others. It was an opportunity, which was given solely to me, because the individual believed in me. It wasn’t because I had any in-depth knowledge, or that I was the ‘golden boy’ with everything he needed, it was that he saw something in me, that I couldn’t see in myself. I can remember asking him 100 questions, questions like “Why should I be the one?”, “Do you really think I’m your best bet?” and several more to receive the same answer “Yes!” At the time, and I’ll be honest, I figured he had fallen off his rocker. I have never been put into a position of the sorts, I had no knowledge, and truth be told, I really didn’t believe that I was the one that would best help him in accomplishing his goals. After explaining it all to him to make sure he fully understood, he made a simple comment, “Tom, you may work for me 1 week, or 10 years, but I just hope when we part ways, that our time together will be one that is beneficial to you.”

I imagine 3 weeks past when I threw in the towel. It was rather obvious, sales wasn’t a game I could play. Sure, there may be a million people that make millions of dollars in their life time by making commissions, but I just wasn’t one of them. By throwing in the towel, I threw in any hope of me ever succeeding in anything I tried to do. The thought of failing, the thought of not be good enough, and the thought of wasting the man’s time, brought forth a hell I can’t explain. There was something about me giving up, saying I couldn’t do it, and quitting that I couldn’t bare or deal with. When I say I couldn’t deal with it, I literally couldn’t mentally overcome my failure. It seemed to be a cloud that stayed over my head for months, and when it seemed the hail lessoned, the rain would pour. Nevertheless, something deep inside of me, and prayers, and friends, inspired me in a way I couldn’t completely give up living.

I don’t know why, what happened, or how it happened, but it seemed the moment I choose to give the Good Lord some of my stress, my desire to live again came like a hurricane hitting the coast, it was on. I finally got outside to see the sun, I began exercising a bit, and I even began socializing again. It was funny, as soon as I began to live; things began to ‘test’ me. My truck for instance: a blown spark plug. Never had I ever really thought I could be a mechanic, but 8 hours after popping the hood, and with the help of my younger brother, we had all 8 plugs changed and she was running like a scalded cat. Then when my hot water tank failed and I found myself with a pipe wrench and 2 hours later realizing I had hot water again, something clicked. I realized, I wasn’t as sorry or dumb as I thought I was. When you realize that you ‘have’ to do something and overcome the challenge, it gives you something to be proud of. For me, I didn’t know what pride was, and you can’t even imagine how big of an excitement it was to realize I could!

When you take the attitude “I can”, it changes everything. When Redhead1 asked me to help with the DU event, I said “I Can”. That event made me crawl out of my shell so to speak, and I had a great time. When DanP asked if I was interested in working with him, I made up my mind and informed myself I could do everything I needed. I had no idea what I would actually be doing, yet, from the first day, I quickly realized I was given an opportunity to learn something about myself. When I was asked to do something, I did it. Surprisingly enough, I think I did it correctly. When learning new things, I seemed to catch on rather quick. Not saying I didn’t need help, but for the most part I was getting it. When I made my first road trip to meet with a local farmer to collect data, I literally had a great time. I realized I could carry on a conversation with someone and just about anyone. Heck, I met farmers, landowners, and even a retired politician, all in a day’s work. I realized people are just people, and most importantly, I realized I could deal with them. The job, taught me that if I believed in myself, and understood that if I went with the mindset that “I could do anything”, everything works itself out if you give 100%.

Now here I am, several months after receiving a great opportunity, after leaving Dan and the guys, in Indianapolis, IN partaking in a training course for my new job. A job that I have dreamed of since I graduated college, and one I really know very little about, but am learning. I’ll be honest, this fall has been a blast, whether I was working or even hunting I have once again been able to enjoy it. I have learned about myself. I have realized I have taken several things for granted, and I have been working to better myself. I am slowly seeing success! Not so much financially, a little, but rather personally. I have once again gotten together with close friends, and well, life has been great. It is now nice to wake in the morning, rather than saying “Chit, another day.”

I wrote all of this simply, because you never know how much of a role you may play in someone’s life. The people on this board have helped me tremendously, and I would like to thank all of you. I’m telling you, it’s just a great group here. They have taught me many things. I could not list all of the things I have learned, although I possible could about hunting LOL, but whenever I needed it, I have been overwhelmed with those who have tried to help. And I guess the main reason I wrote this: “When you believe in someone, that in itself, is something that holds a value I can’t begin to calculate.” Those that believed in me, that tried or did help me, made me realize how important believing is. It’s weird I guess, but after meals shared with friends, beers shared on roads, a simple talk in the living room, a phone call, a gesture, and a little time, I realized after everyone saying “You can” that I really could! I guess it’s just another thing I took for granted, but man there is no better feeling to realize you’re going places, moving on through life, and understanding that there are those that never once question their beliefs that you would one day do it.
Anyway, hoping this storm in the Midwest subsides until my plane leaves so I can enjoy Christmas with the Family!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, and Good Duck Hunting to Boot!

[donia]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Tom. Happy hunting and good luck!

[lowbar]

Good deal man Congratulations and good luck!!! Merry Christmas

[Boogerden Boy]

Merry Christmas Tom

We need to get some more hunts together....... I had a blast last time.

[Redhead]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[captain-03]

Now you know you "CAN." Great feeling!! Always great to learn something new - try to do it everyday!! Good Luck to you but I don't think you will need it - you are making your own LUCK!! Have a merry Christmas and and a great 2010!!