At the age of 17 I moved away from home. I was not really one for the rules to be honest and my parents had them. So, I felt better off making my own up and moved out on my own. It was a battle but I quickly learned about true responsibility.
By the age of 27 I had quite the list of jobs and experiences under my belt. I graduated with a degree in Psychology and like most went into manual labor. I remember waking up at 3am to go to my roofing job. I worked that for 3 days a week while doing an internship in the United States House of Representatives for free in order to gain “professional” experience. After a bout with these two different worlds at the same time I finally moved full time into that wonderful world of suits and ties. The glory of this world was however short lived for me. I quickly saw how this world was very similar to the manual labor world. Both paid just enough to keep you there and I could see how people became stuck in the rut for 30 or 40 years without truly realizing you don’t have to live your life just to get by.
So I jumped out and did what any smart young guy would do. I talked my way into grad school. I say talked because my scores would not have gotten me into community college nonetheless George Washington University Grad School. I remember getting the no you are an idiot letter please leave us alone. That day hurt even though I knew it was coming. That was perhaps the first time I really decided I wanted something really bad. I went into the Dean’s office of my particular field of admission and waited six hours for him to arrive. The secretary thought I was crazy. Apparently word got around and the Dean heard the story and let me in. He said “Wes, your scores are terrible, why should I let you in?” I replied because I can do this and I am determined. My grades will not let you down. So he let me in. That was my first lesson that if I wanted something bad enough I could somehow get it.
A year later and I might say after good grades I was fortunate enough to see an opportunity that would quickly change my world. At the age of 28 and against all odds I retired from school and the working world forever. I was able to call myself unemployable at t the age of 28. People told me I was too young to succeed. People told me I was not smart enough. People told me I was in an impossible industry. They told me all that I needed to hear in order to drive on.
At this stage in life my aim is to show others that living the life of your dreams is a reality.
You can drive the dream car that you want. You can buy your dream house. You can give as much to your church as you would like. You can start your own charity. You can wake up when you are done sleeping. You can travel the world when you like. You can move wherever you want based on each season that you like. You can do whatever you want if you are willing to never let anyone hold you down….Especially yourself.
Dare to Dream. Come with me and live the life of your dreams.
Young Gun
Wesley Anderson