Pride and Prejudice! part 2

Today is November 24, 2014...19 days from my 50th birthday on December 12th.  Happy Monday!    "You found it?" asked John Kanary snapping me back out of my memory.   "Yes, I did."   He didn't ask for a detailed explanation as he knew I had been enlightened.   In that flash of revelation, I realized there two things that impacted my character;   One was a deposit that built a surplus... the other was a withdrawal that created a deficit.    The Deposit -   When prejudice occurs, always pull the "race" card;   No, not that one...the "human race" card.  Thinking back on a repressed memory made me see how so many teachers took an interest in me and looked after me after that day (I am sure it was a topic in the teachers lounge).    One giving me a ride to and from Science Fairs as I reached the state level.  Another teacher encouraging me to write (so that is where this came from?), putting my writings in the State Capital for 1,000's of people to see.  After school projects, taking me on small group field trips and sleepovers at their homes with their kids.  Almost 25 years later, my three kids went to the same school for a while and they were known as "Brandon's kids" since many of the teachers were still there.   Random acts of support, kindness, and compassion?    Maybe.   I think it was more their way of fighting injustice.  Every injustice does not need a march or picket signs of disapproval. Most injustice is fought by individual acts of support, kindness and compassion.  The collective acts create their own "movement" and is the way most scales of justice are balanced, as is required by natural law -    "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction".      The things that those sweet people put in me that have endured and helped me become successful, far outweigh the "damage" of the prejudice.  That day planted the seed of my faith in people.  It has grown and developed over the years.     There is something about the "quiet majority" that has ALWAYS undergirded my belief in people.    Sometimes, the ignorant ones just happen to be loudest.   As a result, I became a freedom fighter.  Making sure everyone gets a fair shake, that the playing field is level and that once the door of opportunity was opened that everyone will stand on their own merit.  No isms;   Favoritism, sexism, racism, classism, nepotism, or schism (look that one up!)...everyone will stand on their own.  That is justice and fairness and I have that in surplus. The withdrawal -   In my retrospection and introspection of that day I realized that I also lost something.  It was what John was trying to tell me when he said, "you probably fight harder for others than you do yourself".  He was right.   I lost the ability self-promote.   Make no mistake, I have a strong self-image and know my strengths and talents.  I know I have been given the God-given ability to help people and change their lives for the better.  However, I don't always push like I need to.  How many more people could I help and what kind of legacy can I leave if I impacted more people?   That required shameless self-promotion.  My mission statement is, "Helping millions achieve success...one at a time".   That day with John showed me that I had the "one at a time" part down pat and that it was time to self-promote and help the millions...don't worry, I am working on it!  I have almost cleared that deficit and can see turning the corner of surplus!   Most people have had similar experiences.  The good parts of you were forged in fire.  The fires that put virtue in us may have also taken something out of us.  Self-development is about recognizing the deficit and working toward putting it back in...getting our mojo back.    Restore what was taken in the fire...that is your right...when you fight to get it back, that is justice...   Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!