Skip to main content

My Journey To a Networking Event.

A few months ago, I received an invitation to a big networking event here in Toronto. I said yes right away but I wasn't a hundred percent sure that I would be there, the reason being that it would be on my birthday. But after all, I thought that it was not a big enough reason for me not to show up as I was not going to celebrate my birthday anyway.

So, last week, with hundreds of other business owners, we were gathered at the Ontario Place for a networking bash. It was a great event. I told Jennifer, the organizer, that she did all of that just to celebrate my birthday. She laughed, but, in a way I did celebrate with all those wonderful people (especially when there is food involved).

As I was standing at our table, a gentleman came over from a corner, as if he had something important to tell me. He asked me to join him where he was. I immediately went to him. His face looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I met him. He looked in my eyes and just said: I don't know if you remember me, but I was at your event in May last year. I heard your speech and I was so inspired. Your story was simply amazing. Keep doing what you're doing.

The guy came just to tell me that. I tell you what! He doesn't know it maybe, but that guy made my day. Do you know when you start doubting yourself (yes, it happens to me more than once lol), when you are thinking that, maybe you have made a huge mistake, and somebody comes and tell you those kinds of words!! Man, it was a breath of fresh air. Funny enough, about ten minutes later, a lady came to me and said: I heard your story last year. You inspired me a lot. Keep doing what you're doing. You are on the right track.

This time I was not doubting anymore. I felt I could fly man. Those two conversations were worth every penny we invested in the event. They brought me back to life.

You see, I have realized that in every dreamer's journey, there comes a point when nothing seems to work. Where every effort we make, it seems that nothing is moving. That's when so many people give up. If that hasn't happened to you, just wait and you will see. But those are great moments if you understand the reasons behind them

Just this morning, I picked up one of my favourite books, namely Bruce Wilkinson's book “The Dream Giver” (if you haven't read it, it is a must read). He beautifully summarizes the dreamer's journey in these terms. He says that Dreamers:

1. Become aware of a personal dream or calling, and then decide to pursue it.
2. Face fear as they leave a place of comfort.
3. Encounter opposition from those around them
4. Endure a season of difficulty that tests their faith.
5. Learn the importance of surrender and consecration to God
6. Fight the giants that stand between them and the fulfillment of their dream
7. Reach their full potential as they achieve their dream and bring honor to God.

Bruce Wilkinson ended this part by saying that the good news for every dreamer is that each stage or obstacle along our journey is intended not to block our dream, but to help us break through to the fulfillment God promises.

So, if you are pursuing your dream, maybe you can relate to the paragraph above. The key is not to give up when the going gets tough. Keep believing, keep the faith and we will see you at the top.
Moral of the story? Do you want to live your dream, just invite me at your event and I will inspire you as I was inspired.




Always a pleasure

Patrick
The Journeyman

PS: A shout out to my friend Courtney Caroll for publishing his first book "The Financial Fitness Blueprint"

Click here for more information.

Proud of you my man!!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey to my wedding

Where do I start? I don't really know. As I am waiting for my flight at Kigali airport, with tears in my eyes, I am thinking about the last few days. There are no words that can explain what I have experienced in this month of December 2010. As Phil Collins said, it's another day in paradise. The person who said that words are powerful was so right. It took a few words from my then girlfriend, now wife (are you kidding me!!!!), to start a series of events that led me to this moment. She just said: “Honey, this long distance thing is killing me”. Having been in a couple of long distance relationships, I knew what she meant. This time, it was different. I had to do something, otherwise, this relationship would end up like the other ones. I had promised myself to do whatever it took to make this one work. As I hung up the phone, I thought I had to move mountains. I had to find a way to meet her. Originally, my intention was to visit her in July 2011, however, this felt like a cent

My Journey to my meeting with Bob Proctor

He is a hero of mine, I have studied his material for years, I had met him once and at that time he even signed one of the books he gave to me. But, spending three hours in an intimate setting, hearing him calling my name, him talking to me from a few feet away was just a dream come true. Bob Proctor is simply a genius. He has been studying the laws of success for over fifty years, but he has a simple way of explaining things that I found myself saying “wow” all the time. I have listened to his audios, read his book and saw hundreds of his videos. It has come to the point where I can finish his sentences before he finishes them. But seeing him live telling his story is another thing. Call me crazy, but I just believe that I will end up working with him. I don't know how or when this is going to happen, but I know I will. It is with the same belief that I know I will one day meet Michael Jordan and Nelson Mandela (being with Pathe'O few weeks ago made me feel I am not that far

My Journey to a meeting with Gandhi

You must be thinking that I lost my mind when I say that I met Gandhi. Don't worry. I am doing fine. I met him only in a story that I heard. Do you want to hear it? I know you do. So I will tell the story Long time ago, there was a lady in India whose son was eating too much sugar. She tried so many times in vain to ask him to stop eating sugar. After a while, she thought that Gandhi could help. She took her son to Gandhi and begged him to tell him to stop eating sugar. He carefully listen to the lady, and then went: “Please come back in two weeks, I will be able to help you” Two weeks later, the lady came back to see Gandhi. The Mahatma looked in the young boy's eyes and told him: “Please stop eating too much sugar”. That was it. The lady could not believe it. “Do you mean I had to wait two weeks for you to ask my son to stop eating sugar” she said. “Why couldn't tell him in the first place?” Then, Gandhi simply said: “You see madam. Two weeks ago, I was still eating sugar