Choosing When To Live
“You said you chose when to live. How can you decide when to live? You don’t control life.”
Millionaire Tech Giant Justin Anglin was invited to speak at his son’s high school graduation. He stood at the podium, staring back at the eager faces eyeing him in awe. His thoughts skipped back more than thirty years at his own graduation ceremony.
A voice interrupted his thoughts, “put your hand down, Shavaugh. Mr. Anglin isn’t answering any questions.”
Composure returned, and the child’s hand was still up. A female teacher reached out to pull her hand down when Mr. Anglin said, “I will answer her question.”
A petite young lady quickly stood up, curiosity written all over her face as she stared at her teacher with furled brows.
“Go on, young lady,” he encouraged.
“Thank you,” she said. “I was listening to you last week on the radio, and someone called in and asked you what the secret to your success was. You said you chose when to live. How can you decide when to live? You don’t control life.”
He smiled, then revealed, “I had some control over mine.”
“How did you choose when to live?”
Justin stared at her, and something touched his heart.
“I grew up in poverty. I witness the rise and fall of family members and others. I listen to their stories, how they achieve success. One thing none could answer is how did they fall. They were aware of going up but not coming down. None seems to be mindful of themselves falling. I decided that when I got up there, I wasn’t leaving,” he gesticulated.
Laughter erupted in the audience.
“So that’s when you chose when to live,” she cuts in.
Smiling in awe, he quotes, “the man who rose from poverty knows where he will land when he falls. That is power.”
“How did you choose when to live?” she asks eagerly.
“My journey was a difficult one — obstacles, hunger, pain, and hopelessness are just a few that lined my path in every direction. So I decided to live like a dog for ten years. Then live like a king for the rest of my life.”
A smile slowly emerged, and she questioned, “how did you do it?”
“Failure paved the road to success. I must make sacrifices to counteract the many disappointments I met along the way. For ten years, I learned how to live and survive the worst and the best. My first job was at a restaurant. I never had to pay for food. So I could save more money. That was my day job. After I left evening classes, my night job was as a security guard. I had somewhere safe to stay at night. I save more.”
“Where did you keep your stuff?” she quizzed.
“Lockers at both of my jobs. And the restaurant I worked at had a shower. Both jobs gave us uniforms. I saved money on clothes.”
“Damn!” slipped out of her mouth, and she quickly covered it.
He went before anyone else could interrupt, “I saved on the three basic needs. Food, clothing, and shelter. I rotated between the two jobs, saving a bundle until I got my bachelor’s degree in finance. From my savings, I rented an apartment and continued my journey up.”
“Didn’t you have a girlfriend?” she asked as laughter erupted again.
“No,” he said. “That was another sacrifice worth making. For ten years, all I did was prepare for the future — no girlfriends, fun, parties, vacations, entertainment, etc. I wanted no distractions. Today, I can do what I want, when I want to, with whom I wish to. I have the resources too.”
A voice in the audience shouts, “That’s brilliant. I would love to do that. That also gave you more control over your life and lots of time to do the things you enjoy.”
Justin laughed, saying, “Yes, son, I am glad you are listening. But you don’t have to do what I did.”
I applied this method to my life. It worked for me. I lived like a pauper for several years, denying myself many things that could wait on me. Now I can enjoy what I want when I want, with whomever.
I believe that certain things can wait when climbing the ladder of success. Stopping to smell the roses is one of them for me. I believe that it would slow me down.
Find your system and make it work for you. I chose to live when I can live the way I want to and enjoy my life with what makes me happy. You can choose when to live too. Do it wisely.
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoy it and will sample more from some inspiring writers on this platform.
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