My 2nd Chance

Hi,
My name is Rodney. I am the product of a single mother household raised in the projects of Philadelphia, PA. I grew up in a pretty tuff neighborhood where self pity was a big thing and often very encouraged (side note problack people and most black leaders don't make money helping you to change your life or make a better life. They make money catering to your fear and emotions they get paid to make you embrace a victim mentality. Trust me your failing life is a victim of your self pity more than any thing else) . I spent a big chunk of my life pretending that the world owed me something because I was born in poverty. After making jail a home with revolving doors and realizing life wasn't going to get better until I owned my choices and decided to make my life better I started looking for legit work. I was a barber at a neighborhood barbershop until it was raided by the police for suspected drug trade. My parole officer informed me that I needed to find a different line of work unless I wanted to find myself back in jail. I took his advice (after all, what if something serious happened? I could be dead or back in jail for being in the wrong place at the wrong time). I worked for a store that sold linen and other house hold items (I wont name any names. Just now it starts with a B ) for a short period until they decided they want to keep me on staff after the Christmas Holiday. I even worked a nursing home until a patient wondered off site and was injured. Because the facility would under go investigation they didn't want an ex-con on staff (they thought it would make them look bad).
It was when I lost my job at the nursing home that a became very discouraged. I learned a very important lesson. Never give up and be prepared to capitalize on any chance you get in life. When God closed one door he opened up an even bigger door . 5 months later I landed a job with KLOVER a innovative construction company. They took a chance on me and I love my job and my company for that. I was a carpenter! I have never felt such a sense of pride I was an apprentice but I was learning a trade! At the end of each day I could look at what my hands produced even on days I was just a cleanup man I made sure that place was clean and spotless. I was going to school to become a journeyman carpenter when I feel 20' off of a ladder and ended up in the hospital with injury that would never be fully healed. KLOVER brought me in the office and made me a project estimator. I prayed to God to be the best project estimator KLOVER has ever had. I am proud to tell you that at the end of 2016 I celebrated my 10 year anniversary. At that same celebration I was also recognized for securing the biggest project KLOVER has ever been awarded. I also broke the all time sales record.
My take away from my life.........

Get over yourself. No one owes you anything.
Never be jealous of someone having been born with more than you. They had fathers how worked hard and left them a legacy. Strive to be a father like the father they had.
If God has forgiven you.....Forgive yourself.
Be prepared to take advantage of a perfect opportunity (although I got a second chance in life. Don't count on that second chance. Some people make a mistake and it cost them their very life the 1st time.
If you fall down get back up and keep pushing. Don't get discouraged.
You can never have a positive life with a negative mindset. Change your way of thinking if that is what is required. You can speak life and death, you can also speak failure and success!
You think you got a tuff life??? Please there are people really suffering more than you are. At least you are alive and still in the game.