Totally Fulfilled
Mentors can be a variety of people, including family, friends, your boss, loved ones, and even a coach. Tiger Woods still works with a coach, right? One of my first mentors (someone I’ve never even met) was my great-grandfather. He indirectly inspired me to raise the bar on my beliefs and helped me appreciate what I have. His story, told to me by my grandmother, allows me to appreciate the smallest things. How is this possible, especially since I never met the man? Well, my great-grandfather’s story begins at the turn of the 20th century, when he left a tiny town in Italy called Potenza with a belief that he could get more out of his life and give more to future generations. So my great-grandfather left Potenza and made it to the closest port that had ships going to America. He wanted the chance for a better life; however, he had less than $5 in his pocket. But what he didn’t have in money he made up for with a strong desire and creativity . He knew one thing for certain: he wanted to get on the ship. So he made a deal to work on the ship in exchange for a free ride to America. Instead of limiting his beliefs and looking at all the obstacles, he focused on what he wanted. When the ship docked in New York City, he was dumped at Ellis Island. He couldn’t speak Eng- lish. He didn’t know anyone. He came here alone. He left his family and all his comfort zones behind. What was his belief? He believed there was a better life in Amer- ica, and he went for it. Let’s fast-forward a few years. He married my great-grandmother and moved to the little town I grew up in. They had four children, and he ended up owning his own restaurant. When he arrived in America, he worked as a dishwasher but believed he could do more, so he worked his way up to being a waiter. Again, he believed he could do more. Eventually he saved enough money and found the courage to leave the city and move to a little town called Milton, New York where he opened his own restaurant. …what he didn’t have in money he made up for with a strong desire and creativity.
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