Building a Life: My Foundation for Growth and Success
This blog is an external, introspective, retrospective work, if that makes any sense.
What I’m trying to say is that the act of me writing this blog is the external part.
The introspective part is me explaining my internal processes, and the retrospective aspect is me looking back from the place where I currently am.
When I first set out on the Route to Royalty, I didn’t know that I was setting out to become an elevated, enlightened version of myself
Early Beginnings
I was born on August 5, 1980, at 5:30 AM in Rock Hill, SC… for the people who like to do natal charts. I don’t pay too much attention to this type of thing, but a few people I’ve encountered do, especially after we’ve had a conversation or two.
“I don’t necessarily believe that a person’s zodiac has too much of an influence on how they view the world or how they behave. However, I do believe that a person’s upbringing, influences, and environment can, in fact, greatly enhance or hinder their development. Consequently, this, in turn, affects their position in life.”
Family and Upbringing
My upbringing was a good one. My parents were gainfully employed, and I grew up in a two-parent household.
A Mother’s Journey
My mother worked in a snack food factory as a forklift driver when I was a young child. Additionally, she also drove a school bus.
Furthermore, in the mid 80’s, she started taking college courses and graduated with an accounting degree. Subsequently, she later worked as a bank teller and, in addition, in an accounting or secretarial capacity in other office jobs.
Overall, my mother was and still is a hard-working woman.
A Father’s Influence
My father was a hard worker, skilled at many things. He worked long hours at a steel plant and still did most of the repairs and maintenance around our home.
“Talking a lot was not how he taught lessons; instead, he disciplined me whenever I veered off track. However, he still faced the realization that he was a man living in a world where, ultimately, he could not see himself as ruler of his own destiny, and consequently, this ate away at him.”
Sibling Rivalry
I have one sister who is almost five years older than I am. I remember our relationship being sort of rocky at the start… and throughout our formative years.
We fought against each other, but we came together whenever it was time to stick up for the other. We are on good terms now that we are both adults, have children, and have experienced the ups and downs of relationships.
However, I believe our relationship could have been better if our parents had emphasized sibling love instead of tolerating our sibling rivalry.
Influential Family Members
My parents and my sister were my main influences. I also had a maternal grandfather until I was 11 years old, and I had a paternal grandmother who passed away two months before I turned 29 years old.
My Grandfather’s Legacy
My grandfather was an influential man. He was a father to five daughters, with my mother being his firstborn and the eldest of her sisters. He was a provider, and he was respected in the community.
Lessons from My Grandmother
My grandmother was a mother to nine children. She raised six men and three women, with my father being her seventh-born.
My grandmother always talked to me as if I had the ability to comprehend life on a higher level. Many of the things she told me and situations she presented to me opened my eyes to the inner workings of the relationships between adults.
A Close-Knit Extended Family
I also have a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins. I’m lucky that I come from a close-knit extended family where my elders protected the children, even though they weren’t perfect people.
They taught and advised from their level of understanding, the same as anyone else does. Eventually, there came a time when their level of understanding didn’t suffice. When this happened to me, I was pushed to set out to get an overstanding.
The Purpose of This Blog
This blog is part of what has come to me as a reward for seeking that overstanding. I hope it helps you and leads you to your own Route to Royalty.
God Bless