YOUNG FRIEND, YOU CAN BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE by Jerry O’Meara
Recently a young neighbor came to me and asked for some career advice.
I told him that after I graduated from the University of Dayton in 1970, with a degree in Business Management, I joined Holiday Inns.
After 17 years in hotel management, I left the hotel business and satisfied a childhood dream of becoming a firefighter. I was 39 years old. My fervor to become a firefighter began when I was just five years old, and my dad took me to witness a large fire in our small hometown.
The following eight years as a firefighter were absolutely the most rewarding of my career.
I then went into real estate. Seventeen years later when the economy began trending down, I transitioned into property management.
My young friend Michael was conflicted. He was about to complete his freshman year in college and was still undecided on a major. His conflict lay in the fact that his parents wanted him to earn a college degree, but Michael had a burning passion to join the Marine Corps.
As a child he had studied the events of 9-11 in detail and longed to do his part in protecting our country.
His eagerness had never wavered as friends and family attempted to dissuade him from joining the Marines.
Many wanted to direct him toward a path that would make them proud.
Others urged him not to follow the career path they had chosen.
Following is the advice I gave to him:
“Michael, you are an intelligent young man. You observe the laws of the land. You treat others with kindness, respect your parents and yourself.
The first thing I will tell you as you begin the next chapter of your life is:
Honor your parents’ wishes and complete your college education.
Next, Take Risks. You will experience success and you will experience failure. But unless you take risks you will never know how far you can go, or what you can achieve.
And, when you fail, when life knocks you flat on your back, remember If you can see up you can get up.
Do not beat yourself up when you fail. Be mature enough to understand that we humans make mistakes.”
I told Michael to use failure as a building block, not a stumbling block.
After a failure you will be smarter and better prepared for your next challenge.
You will realize that life owes you nothing. You will also realize that life is not fair.
You will meet people who are toxic to you. Attempt to distance yourself from them. Others will simply annoy you, bore you, disappoint you or befriend you. You can learn from everyone.
My favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln is: “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”
After a while, I said: “Michael, welcome to the real-world. After college whether you choose to join the Marine Corps, or take another path, pray for guidance, work hard, follow your heart and do not ever forget your childhood dreams.
Life has wonderful experiences in store for you.
Always remember, you can be whatever you want to be. I support you 100% and am already looking forward to our next talk.”
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