Are you Done?

Are you done?

I love underdogs. This love for the less likely winner may be the result of that that I was an underdog many times throughout my life.

I was born a sickly child, lost my parents at a young age, experienced extreme poverty, had little or no education (dropped out of school after eighth grade), amassed fortunes and lost them, lost my sisters and oldest son, and that’s just a small part of my “Under Dog List.”

Regardless of all the disadvantages and failures in my life, I always possessed (and still do) a “Keep Going” attitude . Even when I had no idea on how to survive into the next moment, let alone the next day, I would keep going. When I could not figure out what to do next, I would keep going with whatever I could at the moment.

When we keep going, something always comes through for us.

When you face your struggles in life, Keep Going. Do whatever you can with whatever you have to work with and you will end up creating a better version of yourself.

I remember being young, walking back from playing baseball with some other kids. Carrying my bat and glove, I noticed three large boys punching and kicking a small child. Although these boys were much larger than me, and this was the inner city, I couldn’t help myself but to run up to them swinging my bat. As I connected with two of them, the teenagers ran off, and I picked up the crying little eight-year old.

While consoling him (I was only ten), I wanted to make him feel empowered so I said, “Hey buddy, we won! We both beat those guys off of you.” The younger boy stopped crying and said, “It’s a good thing you had me on your side.” I put my arm around him and replied, “Yes, it is a good thing you were there.”

Whether it is a sporting team or just a person overcoming adversity, I’m on the under-dog’s side. When the under-dog wins, I feel like the adversities I’ve overcome in life, somehow, makes me belong to a select group. This group isn’t made up of “survivors,” we’re made up of “thrivers.”

As you walk through a deep valley in life, keep in mind, “If you won’t be beaten, you can’t be beaten—keep going.” And, I will always remember, “It’s a good thing I have you on my side.”

When you feel you are done, remind yourself, “No I’m just starting. It’s at this point where greatness is made.”

Warmly,Dr. Michael J. Duckett