When I was 14 years old my brothers and I shared a task which involved us "stuffing envelopes" with information for local companies marketing their services.  At the time our parents would only allow us to do this during the summer, since our education was the highest priority.  We did not have much growing up, but my parents always made sure we had enough.  With this in mind the money we were earning and splitting was a lot to us as kids.   Being kids we would spend the money on candy, chips, new clothes, games, etc., eventually using every penny earned.  After our first spending spree our parents would ask us how much we saved.  With a disappointing drop of our heads they knew the answer immediately.  Although we were learning hard work, my parents also wanted to teach us "the value of a penny." Once I got to high school  I became interested in playing football, but it was pretty pricey.  Growing up we didn't want them to have more stress than what they already had on their plates at the time.  Applying  the lessons they had taught me with hard work and saving, I was able to use the money I had saved to pay for football that year.  Eventually I would work to save up for the next 2 years for football too while helping my oldest sibling with her bills as well. At the time it was just life, but in retrospect I am proud of that accomplishment because I learned valuable lessons which continue to help sustain me and my little family.

Throughout my life I was never known to be a patient person, especially when it came to instant gratification. Through my weakness' I unfortunately fell to vicious addictions poisoning my life with lies, deceit, and darkness. With the help of my wife, family, and professionals, I eventually learned much about myself, and how I sought fleeting happiness through my addictions. I began to pursuit after self-help books, tedx talks, uplifting podcasts, which guided me in my journey in search of strength. I came a crossed a study through a tedx talk that helped enlighten my mind and propel me to develop my patience. In 1972, a study was conducted by psychologist Walter Mischel a professor at Stanford University. The study involved placing 4 year old children into a room then placing a marshmallow in front of them. They told the kids that if they wait and do not eat this marshmallow, in 15 minutes they will come back and give them 2 marshmallows. A large majority of the children, not surprisingly, ate the marshmallow, while a handful of them decided to wait. Following up with these children 15 years later, they found that the children that exercised patience had higher SAT's, better grades, as well higher measurements of success comparative to their counterparts. Throughout my journey of recovery, I have learned and still learn many lessons especially ones focused on patience. I do my best to develop patience by being patient. I have learned patience isn't "waiting for something to happen", but to take action, and continuing that action with patience. I have a mentor who says it best "We live in a world microwave world, everyone wants something in 2 minutes or less." I can proudly say, I no longer live in that world.