A Powerful Touching Story

Breaking The Cycle


Today I remember standing above my fathers' coffin.

I remember touching his stiff hand; the hands I loved.

He was 54.

It was 32 years ago.


Just then, I heard the words from a song called, "In the Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics. The words that struck me.



I wasn't there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say



Ever feel that way? I couldn't express what I felt. Not sure exactly why, but I always found it difficult to share how much I loved him, appreciated him, longed for his approval. He checked out too early. He never saw the success I enjoy now.


Some time later in Bangkok, Thailand, this thought came home to me. It was the last time I remember hearing the song; "In the Living Years."


I was giving a speech to the entire Asian division of Visa. The company provided the Presidential Suite at the Intercontinental Hotel. It was awesome. A huge room, way more than I needed and could ever use on my own. There was a grand piano in the bedroom. Imagine!


I arrived late and needed to get a suit pressed for my speech just a few hours later. The person on the other end of the phone in the housekeeping section seemed surprised that I would be calling him to attend to my suit. "Why are you calling us sir, don't you see that red button by your phone?" Sure enough, there was a bright red button mounted on a fancy silver box. "That's your personal butler's button." Personal butler? MY personal butler?


"Sure," he said, "just push it and see what happens." I did and within three seconds there was a knock on my door. It was him, MY PERSONAL BUTLER.


I couldn't believe it. I had come a long way since my father's death 32 years earlier.


Then that song! It was playing in the background; there in Bangkok. I couldn't help thinking of Dad. We grew up in poverty. We were on welfare. There was booze and drugs. We were living in the "projects." Life was hard. Life was uncertain. Life was traumatic. Humiliation due to a "lack." A lack of money, ambition, goals, resources, a plan. Lack!



I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years


You see, sitting there in the Presidential Suite, I was no longer a "prisoner"; I was free. I knew that I didn't have to repeat the cycle. I knew that the demons that kept his soul in a bottle didn't have to keep me there. But still, sitting in that hotel room I wish I could have told him that before; when Dad was alive.


Here in Bangkok, at the Intercontinental, there was no lack. In fact, it didn't get much better than this - my own butler and all! Still, I wished I could have shared it with him. It's not about the money, it's about growth and how far I had come; that's what I think would have impressed him. I was heading down the same path as him until I found mentors. I found people who knew more than I did. I shut up, did what they said and before too long, I was experiencing some of the results they enjoyed.


First, there was Norm. He showed me how to become honest. He demonstrated love. I witnessed in Norm how to change from a self-centered life to a God-centered life. I still follow Norm. Speak to him every time I can.


Then, his brother Jim took me under his wing. He got me excited about entrepreneurship. He showed me how to sell. He taught me that selling is "solving"; an honorable profession. He showed me how to dream. He was a dreamer. He thought big. He enjoyed life. How I wish my dad had enjoyed his life more.


Then I met Bob Proctor. He taught me how to get out of my own way. He helped bring out in me the potential that was always there. He saw something in me that I didn't even see. He showed me passion. He loves to learn and passed that to me. He showed me that the answers are there as long as I keep on growing. Oh, and yes, he showed me how to make millions and later I returned the favor by helping him make a few too!


I might not have gotten all of these things from Dad, but I got them, and for that I'm sure he would be happy. He died too early. He's never read my books, seen me mesmerize an audience of thousands, seen my trips on private jets, the money I've earned, the degree I have (Theology, of all things!), the business I've built, nor the people whose lives I have impacted. People like Bruce, who decided not to commit suicide after hearing me speak. Adele, who lost 100 lbs after reading my first book. Kim, who left her abusive husband after reading my article on self-confidence, or Attila, whose business is flourishing because of my marketing tactics or Peter, who I counseled to leave a job he hated and now feels free and is living his dream.


My father has never met Anne; my wife of 26 years. He wasn't able to see my three boys: Corey, Trevor and Evan. How much we love each other. How great our relationship is and how great they are turning out to be.


Just then, the song continued.

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years


I think I see my father's impact everywhere. I see him when I see changes in myself. I see his smile in my smile. I see his laugh in my own laughter. I see his creativity in my own creative efforts to help people do better in life and business.


I can't tell him now "in the living years." But I can tell him now nevertheless.

I love you Dad. Thanks for loving me too. Thanks for the lessons!


Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Written by;
Gerry Robert

Just a story I thought I'd share if you haven't already sign up and get your insight of the day here http://www.insightoftheday.com/default.asp?affid=1068257
Be blessed
Patricia

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