In my opinion, owning a business is the only way to achieve the American Dream. Granted there are fields where you can do extremely well, but you will always be at the mercy of someone above you watching every move you make and reaping the rewards from it.

In my life, I have always wanted to create my own destiny. It has been in my blood and a true passion of mine since childhood which did not materialize until I was about twenty years old. Back then, all I thought about was the rewards of starting my first company. I envisioned everything I ever wanted in life even before the doors opened. That fantasy of riches soon became a reality and boy was I in for the ride of my young life.

After four years and no customers, my company failed miserably. It was embarrassing to bring my year ending paperwork to my accountant who always thought I forgot a decimal point in my sales column. Not to mention how much of my own money I invested into this failing company. I clearly did not do my homework on this one and lost my shirt in the process.

After that embarrassing period I spent nine long years working for a corporation that I hated with a passion. It was during this time that I got the itch to start another company. This time I knew what I was looking for and did my homework before the doors opened. My confidence was exploding as my little company became nationally recognized and the accolades started pouring in. My wife and I bought a new home, cars, and investment property during this ego trip. Life was good and I was truly happy as a providing husband for my family. Little did I know my pot of gold would soon start to shrink.

After many years, and the perfect location, I received a letter that would change my life forever. A new owner was purchasing the building where I leased space and informed me that my stay was not welcome. I thought, no problem, I will just borrow the money or find a partner and move. What I didn’t realize was now I became a liability. In other words, I was maxed out on credit due to my investing and everything I owned was tied into the business which in bank terms, I was worthless.

I remember coming back from the bank and watching my life flash before my eyes. I knew I was in deep trouble. Most important, how was I going to tell my wife and kids that we where about to lose everything? My chest soon felt extremely heavy as I knew the end was near.

The day my company closed was a hard one. The reality still did not set in yet because I knew more was to come. My investment property was gone and my wife had to watch as one of our cars was towed away for repossession. Thank god I wasn’t there for that one, but the guilt started to overtake me and the feelings of failure soon followed.

I was smart enough during this tumultuous time to attain new employment. This gave me confidence knowing I was trying to get my family back on its feet. Ultimately, after losing the house, we ended up moving to a small duplex here in town with the hopes of starting over. But our lives where about to change again with such force it would bring most to the breaking point.

No less than two weeks after my wife set up our new place we came home to find it in flames. I remember as I pulled up with my daughter and her friend thinking why? Why now? I ran as fast as I could to the front door trying to save our dog. My wife soon pulled up with the rest of the family and her reactions were screams of anger and disbelief. We now lost everything including a dear pet we had saved from a shelter. That day was a blur at the time, but as I write this column everything seems to be flashing back to me with such clarity I can still smell the smoke.

Within a day or so, we moved into a hotel and started to put our lives back together once again. Those three months in our so-called home was a great time to heal and make decisions on where we wanted to go. I knew at this point in my life that I wanted to teach. I did not know how it was going to happen, but I knew this was my path. Little did I know there was still more obstacles on the horizon.

On assignment in Pennsylvania I got word that my position was being eliminated. Now I am in a hotel, penniless, without work, and asking myself, will this ever end? Fortunately it did. I attained work quickly and our insurance finally paid us so we could buy a new home here in town. The people who helped us through this ordeal I will never forget. They are a true blessing in our lives today.

Most important was how I found my true calling through all of this. The years of study I did in psychology, personal growth, and philosophy helped me through a time that most would call the end. I call it a beginning. In other words, how can you teach others how to improve their lives when you have not experienced the same emotions involved? No schooling can prepare anyone to teach without true experience in such a powerful field. I have been blessed with true misfortune in order to bring others back from the brink.

All of you who read my weekly column can take comfort knowing that you are learning from a person who experienced life’s biggest high and the deepest low. Just like a flower that falls apart never really dies, over a period of time it soon sprouts back larger than life. Keep that thought in your mind if your world seems to be falling apart. Just know that with time, you will soon sprout again.