Hey, peeps. Feeling kind of down today. Someone close to me that I hadn’t kept as close of contact with that I would have likes just passed away. Took a while to post this because he was one of the five people I can say have truly shaped my career and honestly how I live my life now. He taught me more about leadership and helping people grow than almost anyone, despite only knowing him for about six months. I hadn’t spoken to him directly in about 10 months or so (A few voicemails and texts were exchanged but that’s about it) but he helped me through one of my lowest points by saying one line and one line only:
“Don’t let this moment define you. The one that defines you…is you.”
I am paraphrasing because I was a bit numb when he told me this but it really calmed me down and taught me a huge lesson about life: you are what you make of yourself. I cannot say enough kind words about this man, and others that knew him better can put the words much better than I can so I won’t even try. All I can say is that if I can be half the man he was when he was alive, I will be more than elated.
It’s funny how those that you know the least amount of time are the ones that touch and shape your lives the most. With that being said, Michael Van Doren, I am a better man for knowing you:
I know you will rest in peace and better things are in store for you. That is all for now. I will have some rants and funny stuff up soon, I promise. I just had to get that out. Stay up, peeps.
Chachi Out
