Don’t let your heredity slow your destiny

Aug 24, 2012

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Many of the world’s greatest people came from very humble beginnings. Former US president Ronald Reagan’s father was an alcoholic. He would sometimes drink until he passed out in the front yard of his house. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be for your neighbors to see your father passed out on your front lawn? The family moved from town to town as his father lost job after job. But instead of letting a rough upbringing ruin him, Ronal Reagan allowed it to make him stronger.

Though former President Jimmy Carter’s father died a relatively wealthy man, between Earl’s forgiveness of debts owed to him and the division of his wealth among his heirs, Jimmy Carter inherited comparatively little. For a period of time, due to a limited real estate market, the Carters lived in public housing for the poor.

Jack Canfield’s father abused him and his mother divorced him when Jack was young, but Jack went on to be one of the world’s best loved authors. Psychologists say 80% of families are dysfunctional.

Tom Monaghan’s father died when he was four years old. His mother had a very difficult time raising Tom and his younger brother, so she put them in an orphanage for six years. Later he bought a small pizza shop, worked extremely long hours, suffered serious debt problems and saw his shop burn to the ground. But every time his plans were thwarted, he picked himself up and kept working. Now his is one of the richest men in America and his Domino’s Pizza Restaurants are famous.

Did you have lousy parents? Maybe they had anger problems or mistreated you and your siblings. That doesn’t mean you will do the same. You can get rid of the habits that were instilled in you by your parents. You don’t have to let those memories ruin your joy. When you forgive, the person you help most is yourself.

Don’t let anything that has happened to you in the past, don’t let any mistake keep you down. Mistakes can make you stronger. Everybody makes mistakes in life, everybody has done things they are ashamed of and would like a chance to do over.

Every day is a brand new day. Like Zig Zigglar (he was extremely poor growing up) says: “Today’s gonna be a great day and tomorrow’s gonna be even better!” Your best is still ahead of you.

Don’t let divorce, wayward children, unfair spouse, or a mean boss keep you down. Keep working and believing and you can turn any bad situation around.

Comments

14 responses to “Don’t let your heredity slow your destiny”

Van Ubl

September 8, 2012

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Milan Toniatti

September 6, 2012

I simply want to say I am just new to blogs and absolutely liked this page. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely come with very good writings. Regards for sharing your blog site.

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tooda

August 31, 2012

In buddhism there is a powerful concept….Turn poison into medicine.

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eve1748

August 26, 2012

Reblogged this on eve1748.

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eve1748

August 26, 2012

This post is so dead on I can relate my childhood was not all peaches and cream but it made a better and stronger person. Some people who didn’t have a good childhood unfortunately don’t see it that way instead they use it as an excuse to screw up their life when they should use it as a motivator to succeed and achieve their goals. Good Job! 🙂

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catnipoflife

August 25, 2012

Brad, excellent post! Too often individuals don’t strive to do their best because of dire past circumstances or failures within frutile attempts at success. Visit Awakenings, Life = Risk, when you get a chance. Some very interesting stories. . .http://awakenings2012.blogspot.com/2012/08/life-risk.html

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mercy1234

August 24, 2012

Brad, Good Job.
Your blog is very inspirational, just like your book on the power of prayer.It is very true indeed that your past does not determine your present.
We have a saying back in Africa which states that ” It is in the house of a poor man that a great man is found, and it is also in the house of a rich man that a poor man is found!”
Great blog, Keep it up.

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Long Life Cats and Dogs

August 24, 2012

So very true. So many people blame their parents for who they are now. The reality is, that you make you who you are now. It’s a choice. Decide to be the person your parents wanted you to be, or made you, or decide to be your own person. Life is all about the choice. I’d rather choose to be happy.

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lifeyourwaycoaching

August 24, 2012

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the great post. This is one of the things I’m often call upon for coaching services–people who have lack mentalities or shame or inferiority issues or whatever the case may be due to having been raised by as you called them “lousy parents.” The negative impact that comes with these types of inherited beliefs and experiences are powerful, but you are right–they can be released, and new, positive beliefs can take their place! Thanks again Brad! I always enjoy your posts.

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marie celis

August 24, 2012

and even if you can’t turn a bad situation around, you’ll come out of it stronger.
I came from an abusive family. We were considered well-off in my country (Philippines), but we’re technically poor by North American standards.
I’m a first generation immigrant along with my family and most first generation immigrants don’t make it past the culture’s conventional ways of success (mostly in administration or in something conventionally perceived as prestigious like being a doctor or such)… I decided to go to film school and I am only coming to realize that I am disadvantaged precisely because there aren’t as much visible minorities in the establishments and places that I am trying to penetrate. I experienced a lot of unintentional bias, racism, and sexism… It hit me on a personal level, but it made me even more determined to succeed.
Good article… it hit me on a personal level =)

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