Category: Lessons Learned

The Road Less Traveled

There are two roads in front of you, what do you do? Both roads are heading in opposite directions and look the exact same. In my mind, one road looks beautiful with the trees and the leaves around that road. That road leads in the direction of what the “normal” life is. Then there’s the other road going in a different direction. The road is cracked, branches are covering it, the trees are dead. Very few will actually go down that road. What road would you go down?

I’m not normal, I’m unique and different compared to most. Just like these two roads, they are completely different in every category. As much as I hated it when I was younger, I now except it at 28 years old. With no idea what to do with myself and no idea where to head next.

Screw it, I decided to take the road less traveled. I decide to go down the ugly road that not many are willing to travel down. That’s why from a young age, I see the world differently than most. Is my way better than others, of course not? This is just how I see my world through my eyes.

Left or Right

To some people, the decision might be hard deciding where to go and what to do next. For me, my mindset and poor attitude and views toward life already decided my outcome and life before I ever really started living. From age 6-25 going down the road that leads to the right was the first easy decision I ever made. School wasn’t for me, being a stupid dyslexic kid who can’t read and write. Anything that has to do with school, or believing in himself I Peter A Harrower suck at it. To this day, It’s still a battle.

Well if that’s the case, then what is for me? That’s the problem, I have no idea what’s for me, how do I figure that out? I think what I have learned over the years in trying to figure that riddle towards life out is, you actually have to live life and learn from it. You have to try different things in life, you have to experience and taste different adventures. You might fail in some things, and sometimes you might win.

I’m Not Like Most People

Most people head left and know exactly what they are doing and live a happy and awesome life. With all due respect, I don’t care about the people that already figured out what road to take and are doing very well. I’m speaking to the people and kids, that are undecided and have no idea which direction to take. Those are the people I’m doing this for, those are the people I’m trying to reach with my books and blog. I know what it’s like first hand to be upset and confused. Going back and forth searching and failing for which direction to go in.

At 28 and a late bloomer, I don’t love admitting that but it’s true. I’m only starting to figure out what I want to do in my life. It was a bumpy ride getting to this point, and it definitely wasn’t easy. I believe writing is going to lead me to my success. Now when I say success, I don’t just mean making money and trying to become wealthy. To me, money isn’t even a top priory at this moment.

Creating Something

For years I was slowly building my foundation in life and didn’t even know it. Within the last few years is when I really started to notice progress. I have never been so excited for what’s ahead of me and what the future holds for me. Sure, the unknown terrifies me sometimes. It’s hard not going back to my old ways and thinking, crap what if writing doesn’t work out? Now I truly believe 100% that it will work out, I might not sell millions of copies. The point I’m trying to make is not about the copies of books I’m trying to sell. It’s about the people buying those copies. Those are the people I’m trying to connect with.

Every book of mine that is purchased through the years. If I just look at it with a dollar sign on it then I have failed. That’s not why I got into writing seven years ago. The reason I got into writing is when I write it make’s me feel free and alive. Whenever I start typing, and I’m in my zone and trying to bring a story alive. In my early years, that’s one of the few times I was happy in life. Writing gave me purpose and hope towards something bigger in life.

Just Be You

I will always have my personal issues, and it will continue to be a working progress. Living with this negative and angry mindset towards the world for 22 years is not going to be an overnight fix. It will take time, and I’m starting to notice some change already. That’s why I’m doing this, I know what life is like with that dark cloud over your head.

Now I’m trying to help remove those burdens from other people. Deep down were all winners and we can all be successful in life. You just need to look deep inside of you and find it. That’s what I’m trying to do is to help you find it yourself, I can’t do it for you.

When you’re stuck and looking at two different choices in front of you. Don’t be afraid to take the one less traveled. Don’t be ashamed of who you are and where you think that road might take you. My road has opened me up to a whole new word I would never have pictured in my life. Don’t be afraid to go the other way, embrace it. Besides if you don’t take that chance. You never know how beautiful that road might be a hundred yards into that path and your life.

What To Do

What is worse, the pain of risk or regret? Now I’m no expert, but I think the answer should be obvious. Now just because it’s obvious, doesn’t always mean it’s the easiest answer to make. Some decisions are hard to make, some are a no-brainer.

Knowing when to make the tuff call, and take a leap of faith. That’s what I did a year ago, and still working on to this day. I’m pursuing something that for a long time, I didn’t think I had any business being a part of. But deep down in my gut, I had a feeling and it was the only decision to make. Last year I stepped down from a full-time position to part-time. I wanted more time to try and pursue a writing career. Was it risky and scary absolutely, but deep down I know it was the right decision?

Take Action

Peter Harrower, was diagnosed with a Learning Disability and Dyslexia at the young age of six years old. From age 6-25 it has been a constant roller coaster in my life. Some days I was happy and high and loving life. On the other hand, and most days, I was as low as you can almost be. Hatting myself and who I was with this stupid disability. Feeling bad for myself and hating who I was, depressed and just miserable. With no care in the world for a long time, confused and lost going through life like a zombie.

Finally, when I was at my lowest and didn’t, think I could get any lower. Just four short months after my 25th birthday I ran into a brick wall. Not physically because that would really hurt haha. Well maybe that would have been easier and that would have woken me up faster haha. Mentally and in life, I just hit a brick wall.

I’m Determined

It was time for a change, and fast. I decided to make that change and never look back, well not entirely. I look back occasionally to see how far I have come and to remind myself of who I used to be and the kind of person I used to be. I’m a whole new person now and have been for the last three years. I started writing more, and that hot summer day in July was the first day of my new life. I committed to making a legitimate run at becoming an author. With no direction on how to do that, but I was going to do it.

From last January to this day as I’m writing this, I do not officially have anything published yet. But yet I consider myself an author. To be fair and you might not even know it or have ever thought about it but were all authors. Were all authors of our life, and every day is a new page going in our book. Now I know that’s cheesy, but it’s true. No matter where you are in your life. No matter what obstacle you might be going through or hill your climbing at the moment.

Sometimes You Never Know

Every morning is a fresh start and a new opportunity to start living again. That’s why I dropped down to pursue this career. Did I know it would work out, no of course not I still don’t know if it will or not? But I do know I don’t want any regrets by the time I take my last breath in life. I knew if I didn’t pursue this opportunity that would be the biggest regret in my life. The pain of the regret I would have had would have been much worse then the pain of risk if I didn’t do this and give it my all.

Now I have my own website and have been blogging for a few months. I have had over 2,400 visits on my blog and 677 people visited my website within that time. If you Google my name, peterharrower.com is the first link that comes up. When I made my blog, I was on page six on Google. Now I get it, I’m not a household name and its only page one for my name. It’s not like I’m the number one blog for Learning Disabilities, at least not yet.

I’m Focused

In the end, this is so much bigger than what I thought I could do and where I would be at this time. My books still aren’t published, I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything yet. That’s just me being a tuff critic, I know I’m only begging. Here’s the kicker, I know I have a lot more to improve and a lot farther to go. That’s only making me work harder and stay focused on the task at hand.

My focus is not to have Peter Harrower be a household name and have the number one blog about learning disabilities. The point of this is to help people and kids just like me. That’s why I knew I had to take the risk and go all in.

Don’t Give Up

Life is short and it’s a beautiful gift that we ALL take advantage of some days. Why I’m still breathing and have the opportunity I’m trying to turn my life around and have a positive impact on people. Will it be easy, of course not and I wouldn’t want it to be? It’s going to be hard, and a long and bumpy ride and I’m ok with that. Because I know my past was building me to go down this path at this very moment.

That’s why I’m going to risk it all now, so in my future when I’m old and sitting in my rocking chair I can look back. Whether it’s good or bad and I make it as an author or not. I will be proud of the effort I gave. I took a leap of faith closed my eyes and went for it. Besides, it might work out, and you might land softly on your feet.

What Are You

When you think of, free the beast within, what do you think of? Something big and scary inside of you? Maybe, you’re quiet and shy on the outside, but on the inside, the fire and the passion you have towards life is just waiting to be let free? It’s different for all of us, there’s no right or wrong answer. I’m going through my own battles every day. That’s what makes everyone so fascinating and so different.

As far as which beast I am, well I don’t think I’m scary, at least I hope not haha. But I think I’m the last example I used. Yes, I’m sarcastic on the outside and sometimes I might take it too far trying to be the funny guy and make people laugh. The reason why is I know what it’s like to be upset, sad and feel alone or a loser. I felt that way for far too long, that’s why I try and be happy with others to help bring them up. On the inside, I’m a caged lion ready to be free. Writing has been the main source to help me release this tension that’s been building up for years. It’s been unhealthy and caused a lot of stress and damage with my mind playing tricks on me.

This Is Who I Am

That’s why I’m so passionate now about writing and my blog, with trying to express myself and who I am on my posts. It’s not about the views and readers I might have every day, or how much money I could potentially make from this. I haven’t made any money from this, I’m still only begging. Yes, I have made it clear I want to pursue writing as a career somehow, but It’s not for the money it’s far greater than that. Money comes and go, yes, you can do great things with money and I still believe I will do great things with the money I make one day.

Unleashing this beast within me and letting kids just like me, people just like me that feel different or alone. Were all different and unique in our own way. We all express our ways differently and find different ways to do that, through passions and hobbies we find along our journey every day.

Time For A Change

The beast inside of me that I’m trying to release and let free, it’s not healthy and it’s weighed me down more than I would care to admit. It’s been a heavy anchor holding me down for years and years. It’s time I cut my ties with it, and free myself from that weight I have been holding on my shoulders for far too long. It’s time you and I stop lying to ourselves and telling us that it isn’t so bad, it’s not that big of a deal. That’s a lie, IT IS A BIG DEAL. It’s easy to come up with excuses along the way because it’s safer doing that.

Just because it’s safer doesn’t make it the right decision. By always making the “safe move” every day in our life, what do we learn from that and how do we really grow from making those moves? The answer is we don’t grow and learn from those moves, honestly, it comes back to screw you even more down the road. As much as it might hurt, you’re better off just ripping the Band-Aid off now and except that pain now. Because that pain is only going to make your decisions and choices easier down the road.

Now Is The Time

This is for all ages, adults, and kids. This is coming straight from the mouth of a man trying to play his part and make a difference in this world. Do I do it every day to the best of my ability, no I don’t? Is there more I have to learn and grow in, well of course I do. I only started living three years ago, the first 25 years I was a zombie just trying to get through another day.

Maybe you don’t want to do your homework, maybe you don’t want to go to that meeting or workout today. HONESTLY, who cares what your excuses are, JUST DO IT. Look I get it, if it’s serious well then, you can’t do it. But people complain so much today, and I think most of the time they are doing it for the attention. Yes, WORK sucks sometimes and it’s uncomfortable and it’s not fun. Newsflash people, that’s why they call it WORK. Somedays it’s hard, and it takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to your limits. You have to recognize the difference from I physically can’t do that, or I just don’t want to do that.

One Day It Will All Make Sense

Here’s the plus, when it pushes you to the limits. It’s going to help turn and build you into the person your meant to become. Maybe not this week, maybe not even this year. But someday down the road, it will all click, you just have to keep working. You can’t let that beast inside of you control you every day. No good can come from that. Yes, you can use that as motivation and hunger to keep going and keep working hard every day. By being in that uncomfortable stage and being out of your comfort zone, is when you start living. Sometimes as funny as it sounds, you just need to embrace the suck and keep doing the best you can every day.

That’s when you will start to control your life and start enjoying who you are. Now is the time to take over that beast and fight back and control what’s been controlling you for years. You’re in charge, you run the show of what you want to do. It’s time to make something of yourself and start becoming the person you were meant to become.

My Roller Coaster

Life is like a roller coaster; some days were on cloud nine and happy. Other days something might hit us and we fall into a low and feel horrible. Other days we might be going straight and just coasting in life. We’re just going with the flow of life and every day, not really giving it our all. Every once and a while there will be days you get to taste a little of everything.

Well, I don’t like heights, to begin with, so it takes a lot to get me to do something with heights. I have no problem at almost 28 years old admitting that heights bother me. It freaks me out, and well I’m ok with that. Yes, I’m trying to get better with it, skydiving is still on my bucket list to do one day. Going skydiving seems very extreme and well the smart or dumb thing to help with it haha.

Just Getting Started

In the morning you wake up and start your day, in a roller coaster usually your start a little slower and work your way to the first big drop or climb. Sometimes depending on life and what’s coming our way or what was going through, there’s nothing we can do. You just need to hold onto something and get the strength and go through that drop or whatever is waiting for you on the other side.

Here’s another example for you. I dropped down to part-time a little over a year ago to try and pursue writing more and roll the dice. Well, I’m here a year later, and I’m still rolling the dice you could say. That’s life sometimes things take longer or lining up all of the pieces to what you’re working on. Now I believe I still made the right move, it’s just taking a little longer then I would have liked. In that time, I started this blog, and it has been a lot of fun. Yes, it has been a lot of work, but what do you expect? I’m building something from scratch, I’m building my website up to try and reach people. Nobody knows Peter Harrower YET, is the keyword.

The Bar Is Set High

I have big goals to accomplish and I know I can accomplish them and I know I’m capable of doing that. I just need to keep working and doing the best I can every day when I’m on my roller coaster and going through life and this journey we are on every day.

In that time, my book did not get published so that’s frustrating. I’m still waiting for the editor to finish, and it’s taking longer then I would have liked. That’s life, things come up, things change and you have to be prepared to roll with whatever comes your way. Now a plus about that is, I’m almost done with the first book in my three-book series. Hopefully, by the summer, I’ll have enough money on the side to send that to an editor. I quickly learned to start from scratch is very expensive. Also starting from scratch and not making much money before I started doing this, is also very tricky.

Our Unique Roller Coaster

That’s why life is so special and were all on different paths. Were all on different roller coasters every day. Some are going up, some are going down, some might be taking crazy turns trying to figure out what’s next. What’s important is no matter where you are, you don’t stop and you keep going. That’s the first rule you want to remember. Don’t stop keep moving and keep going.

Yes, I know it’s easier said than done. That’s why you need to find what it is your fighting for, why are you chasing this dream of yours? You have to look deep down within yourself, and figure out where this hunger and motivation to do what it is you want to do came from? Is it for the money, for the fame, do you want people to know who you are, maybe you just want to help people. We all have different reasons as to why we’re chasing this dream and sacrificing what we’re sacrificing to get there and accomplish that goal we’re working on.

Embrace What Comes Your Way

Somedays you won’t want to get up, or you feel like crap and your tired and you don’t feel like working. Well, this might surprise you, but everyone goes through that. I struggle with that constantly, all I want to do is keep writing books and my next blog posts for the days to come. I love it, and it makes me feel happy and free. With my message, I’m trying to share I need to keep giving more to the people that need to hear my story. Unfortunately, the real world is knocking and well I’m not making any money from my blog or books yet, so I don’t have that luxury YET. Again, notice the keyword yet. That is the goal and that’s my mission that I’m working towards, helping others just like me.

Once it’s the end of the night, don’t always focus or get distracted by what you didn’t do or what little you accomplished. Try flipping that mindset to a positive, and say wow look at what I accomplished today? Sure, it might not be as much as yesterday or the day before, life happens and things come up.

You only have so much time every day to work with. Time is a gift, life is a gift, let’s start treating it like a gift. Remember, we don’t own time we don’t even own our life. Were just renters and renting time until our journey comes to an end whenever that might be. It can be taken away from us at any moment. That’s why you need to start enjoying the ups and learning and growing from the downs. That’s how you grow and that’s how you become a better version of yourself.

I Choose Less Sleep

If you had one choice and that was it, there was no turning back after you picked. What superpower would you pick? Anything is on the table. Would you pick flying, strength, maybe read people’s minds? Would you pick one to be cool and make you better than others? Or maybe you would pick one to help others and try and make a difference.

My whole life I always struggled with reading and was slow. So, I thought if I could read faster that would be huge. I can learn more and get through more material faster. That was the power I picked a while ago. Then one day it hit me, it was a busy week between both my jobs working on the website. I was getting up early for a few days in a row for work and going to bed early. It hit me one day, I wish I didn’t have to sleep so long.

60 Extra Days A Year

I’m one of those people I think I need seven or eight hours of sleep. Now when I’m working early for a few days in a row or working late for example that doesn’t always happen. For me, I changed my power. My new power would be to only need four hours of sleep a night and that would be the equivalent of my eight hours of sleep. I think that would be awesome, and think of all of the extra time you would have every day?

There are 365 days in a year, with four extra hours a day. That would give me roughly 60 extra days in a calendar year. Can you imagine what you could do with 60 extra days every year? Even if you had five extra days a year, that would be huge for your success and what you want to accomplish. Think of all of that extra time you would have every day. You sleep for four hours, work for eight hours that’s 12 hours right there. You still have half the day left to do whatever you want.

What’s Important To You

If you would pick this power, I think how somebody answers this next question is how you find out the kind of person they are or what’s important to them. How would you spend those 12 hours every day? Would you relax watching movies, playing video games, what would you do? Maybe you’re trying to build a new career and start your own business like me. Think of all of those extra hours you can invest in your craft every day? Look at how much better you will get every day and how much farther you can get every day.

My memoir about me that I’m trying to get published. Writing that took about a month and a half maybe two months to write the rough draft. Now I added stuff over the years and changed things of course. But say it took two months, that’s the amount of time I would have added to my life every day if I could sleep less? Think about how much extra time I would have going forward if I finished my book with those bonus days? That would leave me two more months this year to write another book.

Choose Wisley

Now do we have superpowers, well no of course not. Are some people gifted and have amazing skills and talents, of course. To be honest, I could sleep four hours a day, but I wouldn’t be very productive and that wouldn’t be healthy for me. In the end, I think that would end up hurting me. So that’s, why you need to pick your power, very careful.

Now I don’t have those extra four hours a day, I think you knew that. But what I do have is the mindset and the drive to keep working and make the best use of the time I do have. Another way you could look at it is like this. I lost four hours, and I have to keep working to make up for that time I lost. Now a negative with that is, it’s probably not healthy if all you do is work and not live every day with that outlook towards life. If you have a goal your working on you could do that for a short time to try and get ahead of others or a project you’re working on.

What Would You Pick

This game is innocent fun. I want to hear from you, what superpower would you choose, and why? Comment below, I want to hear what people would choose if anything was on the table. There’s no right or wrong answer with this, so if you’re worried about that its ok you won’t fail haha. This is supposed to be fun, so let me know what you would choose?

Work is very important and I’m working very hard trying to share my story with kids and trying to build a connection with them through my blog and stories. With working hard every day and trying to provide for your family for example or taking care of whoever you’re taking care of. You also need to enjoy life and make the most of it.

Start Enjoying Life Why You Still Can

Sometimes I know it’s easy to get frustrated, trust me I completely agree and I get it. Instead of focusing so much on what you’re in the middle of or what cloud is hanging over you right now. Why not try and focus on what else is in front of you. Keep living and keep working hard every day, work doesn’t always have to be work. It can be fun and life can be fun. It’s about time we start enjoying it and making the most of it why we can. Life is short, you never know when it might come to an end and your life might be taken from you.

My Foundation

Building a solid foundation is laying the groundwork for what you’re trying to build. Sometimes if you don’t pick the correct lot or come up with a well thought out plan. Your foundation might crack, or who knows what might happen in the future.

That’s why building a solid foundation is so vital and important for the days to come. What you put into your everyday life and your foundation your working on. Your mindset is what will help take you over the edge, good or bad.

What if instead of a foundation of a building, you look at the foundation of your life? What will you say about that at this moment? Would you say it’s a good foundation, or is it starting to crack and your hanging on for dear life? For me, because I don’t really care about you right now HA just kidding. In my past, I wouldn’t have changed anything. Even though it’s tempting, those hard times is what helped build me into the person I am today.

Negative Mindset

I’m human I’m not perfect and my emotions get the best of me every now and then. Sometimes, I’m still not crazy and don’t like myself. Now I know that’s not a good attitude, and I completely agree with that. That’s a constant battle I will be fighting with all of the days ahead of me. With becoming my toughest critic over the years. Somedays I look at what I did and didn’t do in recent days, or even in my past. It’s easy to think, crap why did I do that or why didn’t I push a little harder?

Yes, I have made mistakes and I will make even more mistakes ahead of me. The thing that matters is, I don’t focus too much on those mistakes and where I was or what I did earlier. Focusing on the present and where I want to go is what’s important next. Do I know what the future holds, of course not? Do I know if my books will do well, no I don’t? Will I even leave an impact on people and try and make a difference, or just keep talking about it? Those are common thoughts I have as I’m putting in the work and trying to build a strong foundation over the years.

Don’t Stop Moving

A negative mindset is one of the many ticking time bombs that can bring you or what you’re trying to build down. If you let it get out of control, it’s like cancer and keeps growing. That’s why you need to find the source and figure out the problem. When building a solid foundation, it’s important to trust and rely on your team. Unless it’s a one-man show and this battle you have to take on yourself.

If you’re a lone wolf through this journey and project your own. Sometimes we need to go through that storm alone. But what makes things different is when the person knows when to ask for help and when not to. Are you asking for help because you don’t want to do it? Or are you asking for help, because it’s physically not possible with one person? That’s what you need to recognize.

My Perspective On Life

This might be a surprise to you, but I don’t know what’s next for Peter. Now to some people that might freak them out. Seeing an open field and the unknown. Now on the flip side and the plus about that is, anything you want is out in front of you. It’s all about how you look at life and your perspective towards it. Is the glass half full, or half empty?

For me, I had both parents, three sisters an amazing family. With a roof over my head and my parents worked very hard to provide a great life for me. With that, I’m beyond blessed, and I know I have it easier than a good percentage of people in the world. I can’t deny that, and I won’t even try to defend that I didn’t have it easy.

I Hate Jenga

Now, what was hard for me and what made my earlier years so challenging for me. Was the battle I was fighting every day with myself. Being diagnosed with my disability I used that as an excuse and a copout saying I couldn’t make it in life. It’s impossible to be successful, I can’t even pass in school how am I going to get a job and provide for a family? Well before I can provide for my family, who would even want to marry this stupid kid? That was my first problem, I can’t take care of the simple things in my life. How am I going to provide for my family?

These were my issues every day. That’s why my foundation was a ticking time bomb in my earlier years. My foundation was like Jenga. One by one a piece of it was taken out every day. The only problem was I didn’t know how to put it back together and fill those gaps. That’s why I was destined to fail in life, and with whatever was in front of me down the road.

Come Up With A Plan

At the time, it didn’t matter how old I was or what I wanted to accomplish in life. For years I was ignoring the elephant in the room and ignoring my issues. I would try and pick up the pieces and it would collapse right away when I would let go.

Building yourself up from the ground up is step one. That’s why if your mindset sucks and your always negative, you might as well throw in the towel and not waste your time. It’s so important to look at what you’re doing every day. We need to get back to the basics and start building ourselves up first. From there use that drive and motivation, and share it with the world.

Old Mindset

It’s my past vs my future, it’s my old vs new mindset. This is very important people, it’s what is going to help us and drive us to become successful. If your mind isn’t right and you don’t have the right attitude then you’re in trouble. That’s why part of my old ways died a few years back. I had no other choice.

My old mindset was just to exist and just trying to survive and get through another day. Once I did that then I would consider that a win and go on to the next day and start all over.  With whatever you’re doing in life or where ever you are in your life. If you’re not thinking straight and trying to stay ahead of the game and working hard every day, you’re going to be in trouble and hurting for a long time. That’s not the best mindset to have in life and live with every day.

New Mindset

We are all different people and have different battles and follow different paths in our life. I sad it before and I’ll say it again, that’s what makes all of so unique and interesting. We are all meant to accomplish and pursue different challenges and experiences in our lives. What we make of those experiences and speed bumps that come up in front of us, and how you get over those difficulties that’s how you find yourself. Are you going to give in and let that issue get the best of you, or are you going to stop making excuses and keep fighting to live another day?

We’re all going different speeds and all are on different paths every day. For me, I was one of those unlucky people that kept getting stopped and blocked on my path. Now I don’t think I ever made any wrong turns. I think this was the life I was always meant to have and to be walking on. Yes, it sucks sometimes, I won’t lie about that. Yes, some days were harder than others and I wanted to give up, I’m sure I’m not the only one to ever want to give up and wanted to wave the white flag.

21 Nothing

After those days and waving that flag I quickly realized I can’t do this, I can’t give up. Thinking back to when I was a kid and visualizing what my future might look like, I would always dream about it and think what I will be doing at 21, 25 even 30 years old. 21, I wasn’t doing anything I was confused and as lost as someone could be. I didn’t know what to do, where to go, I honestly had no idea what was next.

New Me

At 25 I still had no idea or no clue what was next for me and what my future looked like. I realized enough is enough, I wasted far too many years being sad, angry, and miserable. Sure I might have those days every once in awhile, I mean that’s normal we all have our off days

I just came to the conclusion that life doesn’t have to be so bad; life is what you make it. If you want to be pissed off toward the world, well that’s the kind of life you’re going to have. If you want to be happy and try and make the most of whatever situation you are placed in, well then that’s the life you will have. I got sick and tired of the life I was living so it was time for a change. I desperately needed a change, and fast.

My new mindset was created and it was born. I’m ready for the world and I’m ready for whatever comes my way next. Just because my mindset is starting to become a little more clear doesn’t mean life is going to change and be easy at the snap of my fingers. I have to put in the work to match my new mindset. It can’t just be one or the other, its multiple things you have to change and fix.

New Year

Your mindset and attitude is only the first step, and there are multiple steps that come after. Now the steps following after this step might be a little easier, but it still won’t be a breeze and you still have to work. The mindset and getting it clear and focused is the first major step you need to fix.

With the new year coming and around the corner, what do you want to change and fix for 2018? This is a new chapter in your book of life. Now, is the time to start living for once and make the most of the time we have left. Don’t just look at the end goal of; alright I need to accomplish these 10 things or whatever number by December 31st and GO. Yes, you need to have an end goal, I agree with that. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. You need to set those small goals to help make that path a little easier to reach your ultimate goal and whatever you’re focused on with wanting to accomplish.

Live In The Moment

What do you need to change and fix, not just for the New Year because everyone talks about it? You should want to do it for yourself, and that’s what you need to focus on for the time being. Focus on you and that mindset to get it right and figure out what you want. Then from there use that momentum and use that new mindset to help others and accomplish everything else you want to do this year. Now is the time to start living, don’t get too distracted with what’s on the horizon. Yes, keep your eye on what’s in front of you so you are prepared, but don’t forget to live in the moment.

Scared

Let’s be honest, not many people like to be scared or think, fear is a great motivator. I agree, most of my life If I feared something or was scared why would I want to confront it or go near it, that’s stupid? Well, what did I know; it turns out nothing I was wrong haha. It’s true; fear is a great motivator and can help push you to new limits that you never expected in life.

Fear can mean anything and its different for every one of us, and that’s perfectly ok. Besides, we are all on different paths and heading in different directions in life. That’s why we can’t get too caught up in other people’s lives and seeing what they are doing and how they are living. You don’t know what they are going through or maybe battling at the moment. Everything might look ok and fine on the outside, but on the inside they are broken and lost like so many of us.

Different Paths

When I was younger I’ll admit I was scared a lot, when it came to school everything terrified me. Having the teacher calling on me to answer a question, or maybe to read something out loud. Don’t get me started on homework and studying for tests. Who knows how many fights I got into with my parents through the years about school-related topics. I can’t read fast, my spelling was a joke, and I can’t write well. When it comes to paying attention in school I’m like a little kid, I can’t stay focused and get distracted very easily.

With all of my faults and issues I have or used as excuses over the years. Even with that deadweight, I used holding me back and preventing me from living all these years. My fear was one of the final pushes I needed to push me over the edge to keep going, and finally, start living for once. That’s why I need to do this blog, that’s why I said enough was enough. I know I’m not the only one that used my dyslexia and lack of knowledge toward school as excuses. I know there are millions of people that maybe had the same thoughts and frustrations just like me. Are we all different and have different hobbies of course, but when it comes to school and the learning side we all are probably very similar.

Leap Of Faith

There were two things that pushed me over the edge. They both help me take that leap of faith to finally start living. I wanted to conquer my fear of my faults and not be ashamed of who I am and all the issues and setbacks I had all these years. Sure my mindset will always need work and hopefully not be so negative and judgmental of myself. That’s going to be a lifelong battle. The second was YOU; I know there are millions of kids just like me.

I know what my childhood was like, now I was beyond blessed and lucky. Having a roof over my head, both of my parents, food, water and everything else I needed. I wasn’t spoiled but my parents provided everything to take care of me and my sisters. What about those kids who don’t have a mom or dad? Maybe a parent or loved one died, or maybe just couldn’t take it anymore and just got up and left one day. I didn’t have to deal with any of that, so that’s why when it comes to me complaining it’s only my mindset and the issues I dealt with. Everything else I have no reason to complain about, I had more than enough.

More Than Enough

I know what you kids are dealing with and battling every day. That’s why people and kids need to hear my story. Now, is my story better than yours ABSOLUTELY not, just like yours is not better than mine. Are stories are just different and we all traveled different paths in our life. I know the outcome and what and where that negative attitude will take you after all of these years, NOWHERE.

I’m 27 now and still searching and trying to find my way and purpose in life. I have two part-time jobs at the moment. Now trying to turn what started out as a hobby that quickly turned into an obsession, into a full-time career. I think my story can do more good than bad. What I mean with that is I have always been a private person; I never really liked opening up to people and talking that much. Being dyslexic made me scared and embarrassed to talk to people. It prevented me from living a normal life like everyone else. I quickly realized I don’t want a normal life like everyone else. I don’t want to fit in with the world like I used to want when I was a kid in school.

No More Hiding

I’m part of a small group that is different and has a unique disability compared to everyone else. Now it’s time to use that to my benefit and flip the script. Now is the time for me to embrace who I really am and how I really am. I have wasted far too much time hiding in the shadows and being ashamed of who the real Peter is.

Life is short and its almost 2018. Use that fear and control it, not let that fear control you? That’s why I need to share my story. To show kids life can be fun, even though you’re different than others doesn’t mean you can be successful and live a great life? My fears are pushing me every day to get out of my comfort zone, and try and become a better person. What are your fears doing for you?

Rich Man

What’s your definition of a rich man? Is it an endless amount of money? Maybe it’s an expensive car or a big house? For me and what I think it’s not money and material objects, sure that might play a factor. For me, it’s the endless amount of time and the opportunities they put themselves in and try and open up.

Some people are born into wealth and they ride that expensive car all through there life. Never will have to work a day in there life. Some people like me for example. My parents, I don’t want to say rich or come off that way. My father owns his own business, so when things were going well money was coming in. When things were slow, and people were not sending in checks or he was not getting new business. Well, things were slow and he wasn’t getting paid, multiple times as I was growing up I was worried. There have been multiple times where things were very tight and it was a little scary at times.

The Stuff That Matters

My parents weren’t wealthy, what they lacked with endless amounts of money, they made up for in other areas. We have a roof over our head, food, water you know the stuff that we all take for granted some days. We had that, so that was very important.

As I was growing up over the years, and trying to figure out who Peter is and what I want to do? Right now, I’m far from rich and money, we aren’t even in the same zip code at the moment. I’m just squeaking by right now, with everything I’m trying to build right now and the hours I’m putting into my two jobs at the moment. I have a lot more work to do if I want to be labeled as a “rich man.”

For me, I don’t want to be your typical rich man. Sure do I want to have money and make sure if something comes up I can take care of that situation or help out my family or whatever that issue is, of course, who wouldn’t want that? For me wanting to be labeled as a rich man, that title goes way beyond objects and money. I want that title for the time, and what I give to the world. That’s the label I want, time is so precious and we waste so much of it every day.

Money Doesn’t By Time

Time is the one thing we can’t buy, and the one thing that doesn’t have a price tag. If you ask me what I think the definition of a rich man should be. It goes beyond a person’s net worth or the items he owns. When it comes to time, every single one of us is equal, and on the same level. It doesn’t matter who you are, we all have the same 24 hours every day, seven days a week.

That’s how a man and the definition of a rich man, or women should be defined as. We all have different backgrounds issues and roadblocks along our path every day. What the successful do is they find a way to win, and they don’t make excuses. Whatever comes up in front of them, they work there way around it, over it and if that doesn’t work, they plow over that sucker. They don’t let anything get in there way, they are committed to winning and already have there mind made up.

It Starts WIth One Step

That’s what we all need to start doing more, don’t just settle and look at how big that hill is we have to climb. You have to start somewhere and all it takes is one step to start? After you take that first step, then take another, and another and so on. If it takes you three years like how long my book has taken me, then who cares it takes three years? Some people in that time, maybe it would have taken them two years or a year and a half, the amount of the time is not the point. What is the point is were all different and are all in different paths and heading different directions? What’s not different is the amount of time we have every day to work on that hill.

If your committed and really committed then prove it, get up early and do what you need to do. Stay up that extra hour at night to work on that project. Right now you might see it as one extra hour a day, that’s seven hours a week if you do that for 31 days straight that an extra 31 hours put into whatever project it is your working on. After one month those 31 hours, don’t sound so bad and seem pointless anymore, does it?

Opportunites Are Everywhere

Everything I just shared and talked about that’s the kind of wealth I want and the title I’m looking for. Sure an endless amount of money and toys would be awesome and fun of course. You know what would be better if you have nothing or just getting by like me right now. You go on to build something bigger than you ever anticipated? We all have different goals and focused on different things in life, and all have different motivation pushing us. That’s fine that’s what makes life so interesting. All I’m trying to do is show you a different approach you could use for life.

The number of opportunities in our life right now and in the world is endless. It’s almost 2018, we shouldn’t be making any more excuses anymore. I’m trying to change my mindset and bad habits for the greater good to help people. What do you need to change?

Get Out

My comfort zone the last 20 plus years has been very small, not many people were really given the ok to enter and visit me. It was like my safe room only certain people had access to it. All these years going back to when I was a kid, keeping to myself and keeping a lot of private and personal stuff to myself. After living that way for a while, you start to get into a routine, like a rut.

This routine and rut lasted about 20 years of my life. I realized enough was enough it’s time to finish this book and give it to the people. If I sell one million copies the first year or 100 copies it doesn’t matter. Well ok, it does matter a little. If I only sell 100 copies then, I’m worried about my writing and what I’m really doing? That’s a topic for another day haha.

I want to be a new person; I need to be a new person. My lifestyle and the way I have been living the last 10 years especially, I couldn’t do it anymore. I realized something has to give. If I supposedly thought I was going to be “successful” and do something big with my life, then what do I do, where do you even begin? I had no idea what to do, just like when I started writing and now blogging and built my website. This is all new to me; I’m trying to enter a field I had never imagined I would be in.

2018

I’m hopefully about a month out from publishing my book. To be fair this isn’t just a book, and a story, this is my life written out. My emotions and intimate details about me and who I really am, spread out all over the paper. Most of the time when I feel safe and I feel alive, and free is when I’m alone and writing. I realized that I think I can do some good with my life that I spilled out into this book.

All though this is my life and this really shouldn’t be that hard writing everything. After all, it’s all from the mouth of yours truly Peter A Harrower. Even though looking back it’s easy to put everything down onto paper when I’m in the zone. Why is it when I know I’m finally done, it will be the hardest and scariest thing I will have ever done in my life to this point?

Once I hit publish, and my book is available to purchase. It’s because everyone is going to know who I really am, and the kind of person I really am? Well people, if you couldn’t tell or get that vibe that scares the CRAP out of me. I don’t want you people in my life, haha kidding. Your personal life is your business, it’s not mine unless you invite me to be a part of it. Just like what I did, you guys didn’t ask me to do any of this, I decided it.

Brace Yourself

I realized what I had put together and realized I was on to something. Even though it terrifies me to open up to the world and share my deepest darkest secrets with everyone. By the way, this blog is only a warm-up compared to my book. If all of my posts surprised you and you never knew I had this side of me or maybe thought this way. Well just brace yourself for when my book is available, it’s on a whole other level than this.

In the end, I realized that there are people, kids that are just like me. Having these same issues that I have, feeling stupid, confused, pissed off about life or toward the world, angry and don’t know where to turn next? I know what it was like, that’s why ladies and gentlemen this outcast wants to help people and kids just like me. No kid should have to go through all of this, and feel alone and against the world. We should all be in this together no matter what strengths and weaknesses we all have. Did you know 10% of kids have an LD?

My Comfort Zone

That’s why I’m throwing myself to the wolves. I don’t care what backlash might come from this, some people I’m sure are going to find a way to criticize me anyway. That’s life you can’t please everyone, so I’ve already been preparing for that for months now. My comfort zone started when I was six years old when everything started to change.

I can’t lie as much as I’m doing this for the kids, and want to help them feel safe and realize its ok to be different. I’m also doing this for myself, and I shouldn’t have to hide that or feel sorry about that. After all, I went through everything that I have talked about on my blog and in my book. Once I hit publish and get TWTMDE out to the public. I think that will be the last move I had to make to get out of my comfort zone.

Are you in a comfort zone, what are you hiding from the world, or even yourself? What do you need to do to lift that burden off of your shoulder? You don’t need to write a book or start blogging like me. Writing is my happy place that’s what I need. Were all different and unique that’s what makes all of us special. You need to figure out what will help make you feel safe and free?

Here’s a line from my favorite rapper at the moment, even though he’s talking about rapping his concept is the same as mine with writing and sharing my story. “I don’t rap, so millions of people will like me I rap, cuz there’s millions of people just like me” NF That’s the final piece I need to feel free for once, and finally able to start living.