I personally love talking about sacrifice because I believe we've all had to sacrifice something in life. The beauty about sacrifice is learning about the sacrifice it self and the process of it in order to reach the goal. John Maxwell says,"Sacrifice usually means being willing to trade something of value that you possess to gain something more valuable.
About 3 in a half years ago I worked at a police station in Southern California as a records administration with processing criminal files to the district attorneys office. I was working for a temp agency making a an annual salary of $17,280 per year. I really enjoyed my job and all the great new skills I was learning at the time. I was notified about a permanent position paying an annual salary of $28,800 a year doing the exact thing I was doing already at the police station. So I applied and went for my interview. To my surprise I landed in 2nd place candidate out of 20 other applicants who applied for the position as well. It was a great feeling until I received a call from one of the lieutenants at the station to go meet her at her office. I went to the office and I was told that I was disqualified from the position because I didn't have a high school diploma or GED. That moment is called "The wrong Action at the Right Time". Timing was perfect but my actions where not good due to my pass of not finishing high school.
It's hard to describe the feeling that moment because it's like having something so close to you taken away because of a wrong mistake. I was about 19 years old and making that kind of money at that age was not bad at all in those years. But I learned and decided to go to school because I was told that the opening will come again soon. So I went back to school and got my GED. That was a great moment in life but I had bigger plans. Nine months later the same position opens up and yes I did apply once again. I was confident and ready once again to nail the interview once and for all.
So I went into my interview with the gut feeling that this time around was going to be different. Things didn't feel rite around me but I still went for it and did my best. So I walk into the room and my manager is sitting rite in front of me and she begins the interview. She starts asking questions a little aggressive and pushes for unusual questions that I didn't think where appropriate for the type of job or even for an interview. But I went along with it and did my best. I must admit walking out of that room was one of the best feelings I have ever had.
So I wait a few weeks to receive an answer that I was not waiting for. I did not land the position because my scores where to low according to my interviewers. That was also a difficult moment because I had just gotten into a relationship with my girlfriend who is my current wife today. I was devastated and I honestly cried and I had so much anger and frustration. After a few days of just thinking about what would be next for my career I decided to follow my heart and my dreams. I decided to give my two week notice. Now most people would ask them selves how do you go from scoring a 2nd place position to not even passing the interview process? Well, when things in life are not meant to be the are just not meant to be especially if you put them in Gods hands. So rite after work I decide to speak to my manager the one who originally interview me and give her my two week notice. She then ask me why and I responded that I no longer have a feature with this company and I've decided to follow my dreams and go to the best school in the world that can teach me what I love to do. I must admit that moment was a great feeling! So I did just that I got a different job, got married and moved out of California with my wife to follow my dreams.
I believe in the rite timing because understanding that when all odds are against you, we must learn have to follow our hearts and our dreams. Today is December 21st 2010 three in a half years later I am two months away from receiving my Bachelor Degree from one of the most prestigious universities of technology. I will soon receive a degree in something I love to do an want to do for the rest of my life. Today I understand why I didn't get that job. A great man once said "what you don't understand today, you will understand tomorrow". He was rite I didn't understand and I cried and suffered along the way. But I never took my eyes off my dream and my true passion. But the most and greatest gift I've received in the past three years of my life is my beautiful daughter Aryanna who is now 2 years old and that alone is worth any sacrifice I make in my life.
Life is full of sacrifices and risk and most importantly a journey that is not going to be easy but every step of the way just add more and more value to that sacrifice and that soon to be my reward. It's about learning from the journey and perfecting our faith and believing that at the other side of the mountain is our promise land. Giving up should never be an option but a simple obstacle we can overcome.
Today I feel like a great leader because I made the rite choice at the rite time and that's what great leaders are about. John Maxwell states "when the right leader and the right timing come together, incredible things happen". It's about embracing sacrifice and learning when to make the rite decisions is when we see great results. My wife left her career in Southern California not ever knowing if she will ever make the same type of salary in our new city. Well to our surprise she tripled her salary in less than 3 years at our current location. A place wear people said and still say that theirs no money to be made but my wife and I have always believed that as long as we have faith in what we can't see it then will happen.
Our biggest sacrifice was family and not having them around during special holidays like thanksgiving and having regular meal at Denny's Restaurant. Spending Christmas in a 600 square foot apartment just my wife and I alone in a city where we knew no one. Sacrifice can be painful but something I am certain it will bring the best out of us at times and teach us long life lessons that we will need for ever. Learning how to appreciate family and the luxuries of life when we do have them around is the value found in sacrifice.
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