Plight for Freedom
November 7, 2011 | General
PDF In the wake of my wellness program beginning, I am nervous. Nervous because the weight and fear of failing makes me want to dig deeper to ensure its success. However, trying harder never guarantees success. This is a lesson I learn time and time again. Some would say I am very successful and yes, in ways they are right. This road I have been traveling is clearly the road less traveled and with many challenges. I have gotten this far with no grants, no big sponsor, and no big donor but just by faith. Believing one day Light of Chance is going to be far beyond my wildest dreams.
Piece by piece, cent by cent, I am building Light of Chance. Have you ever tried building something huge with minute pieces? It is a slow grueling process. If you knew the complete ups and downs, the long grind it took to become success in an industry that isn’t always kind, would you do it? Honestly, I am not sure I would. Old folk say, “God takes care of babies and fools”. I am not a baby, so I must be a fool because lord knows I don’t know how I made it this far.
At times, I deal with some sheisty people. People who act like they are about the community when really they are about themselves. In small communities in which I operate, the church is at the heart of it. Therefore, when Light of Chance has an event, program, or workshop, one of the avenues I advertise through, are churches. Unfortunately, everyone isn’t receptive to my organization. Weather it is a pastor refusing to read my announcement, post my flyer at their church, scheduling unconventional church annual days on the same days and times as my events, or just flat out hates. I could share stories with you that would make some strong Christians consider not going to church. To add to that, I have had the most trouble (hating) from older men. I do not know if they feel threaten, jealous, or just not happy people in general. If you know, please explain.
I don’t like to keep harping on how difficult my job is but it is. Every day presents different challenges. Most days I don’t pay any attention to stresses and obstacle because I love what I do so much. On the other hand, when I repeatedly get turned down for funding, leaders in the community hating, or even see someone in the industry dissolve their non-profit, it can make me weary. However, I have come too far to turn back. Every morning for the past two years when I get to my office, I read the prayer of Jabez:
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
I have learned many things over the past six years and while trying to inspire people, I have been inspired by them. Light of Chance has changed and added to my life beyond measure. It has helped motivate me to do better and fight harder for my future. I have encountered things on this journey that are eye opening. I deal with the public all the time. With that being said, it comes with unbelievable highs and extreme lows but when a person works within the community as much as I do, some adversity is expected. Therefore, the only thing I know to do is to keep pushing.
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For a long time now I really haven’t known who Kelly Martinez was anymore. I was depressed, feeling Down, not knowing what I was doing with my life anymore. It was through Light of Chance,when I started volunteering, that I began to feel my soul again. I began to smile more and feel like I was making a difference. It was through your program that I was surrounded by positive, influential people who eventually became good friends. I now can say since I have joined the Light of chance, that I have finally been able to find out who Kelly martinez is again. Your program has continually made difference in peoples lives, becuase I know the difference it has made in mine. Keep up the hard work Eric.