“I KNOW TODAY, I’M NOT THE PERSON I STARTED OUT TO BE”
– Craig Tschetter
Author of FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO
Grace Jones once said, “Everyone has to make their own decisions. I still believe in that. You just have to be able to accept the consequences without complaining.” At no time in my life have I ever blamed someone other than myself for the decisions I’ve made, which eventually dictated who I am today. I mention in my book that I didn’t understand the meaning of discipline, courage, or patriotism –let alone how four years of military duty would change my life. But, it was my decision and mine alone. No one held a gun to my head and made me sign papers placing me in the United States Marine Corps . . . I volunteered.
I tell you this because of the importance of not blaming parents, events, peer pressure, teachers for the position one finds themselves facing. Owning up to one’s decisions is the start of the healing process. I will never be totally healed from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; however, recognizing it was my decision that caused it, removes the frustration of blame.
We all begin our life with dreams and aspirations of becoming something special, but dreams and aspirations will always be trumped by naive decisions. The key to becoming the person you started out to be is to accept the naivety, seek the necessary help, and begin anew with hopes of one day life’s aspirations will become real.
Be Strong,
Craig A. Tschetter