A Decade

I left Florida a decade ago, where did all the time go?

Ten years passed just like that, it moved so fast

But you know what they say when you’re having fun

And just like that another chapter was done

So much has changed, so much has happened, it feels like two lifetimes

I’ll tell ya about it within these rhymes

I was young man that was lost, confused, and unhappy

Heartache after heartache, struggle after struggle,

I knew this life had more to offer but I felt like I was in a constant juggle

I couldn’t keep ignoring the signs that became less and less subtle

I struggled day-to-day, week-to-week, never sure how I would buy food, pay rent, and then still have to decide which utility would be the victim of my futility

I felt behind and embarrassed, after all, my high school classmates were already college educated, married, and buying homes

Making me feel even more alone

From the outside perspective, it sure looked jolly.

Meanwhile, I was jealous and placing blame while I was out partying with Molly

That undoubtedly led me to me waking up feeling very melancholy

I had no direction because I had no goals

I lightened that burden by clearing a bowl

But at the end of the day I was still a lost soul

I was living day-to-day without direction

Trying to find happiness through affection

Not willing to slow down and give my life some introspection

I missed that part about financial literacy and education

I was raised in a household that spending too much was the expectation

Extra hours, extra shifts, extra days – working to keep the bills at bay to play with temptation

I sat down one day and analyzed life with a lot of deep contemplation

I realized I needed to undergo a radical transformation

I decided enough was enough, my behaviors and environment were not serving me

I had a dream, I had a vision, I wrote it down and pursued it with relentless energy

I was terrified venturing into the unknown, knowing that it could all become a calamity

I refused to accept that and forged ahead with an iron clad mentality

I believed in myself, I believed in this dream

They called me crazy, said its just a scheme

With discipline burning, my focus supreme

I turned all my struggles into fuel to achieve this dream

Yes that’s extreme, but now you should see my self-esteem

I ventured off to Colorado to forge a new path

Leaving my old self and habits in the past

I aimed higher than I thought I could ever achieve

Because I dared to believe

I made life changing relationships thanks to martial arts and Bang Mauy Thai

Shoutout to the legend Sensei Duane ‘BANG’ Ludwig

Without you and your guidance I don’t think I could have ever dreamed this big

Fast forward to now and my life is remarkably different

The changes are nothing short of significant

From no college education

To a published scientist and a kid with a strong reputation

To marriage, kids, and a heart full of love

From nights once indifferent, to mornings more significant – children laughing make it all different

Bills paid on time, a fridge full of food, and a house built on warmth, love, and compassion It’s all a man needs in life to feel satisfaction

I’m still aiming high and I can only imagine what next decade will bring.