Conquer Yourself. The Rest Is Easy.

Written on July 12th, 2009 at 7:01 pm by jdrohn74

Five years ago, if you would have asked me what I blogged for I would have answered money. If you would have asked me that same question five minutes ago, my reply would be quite different.

As I sit here on my front porch, I realize that the last two days have been perhaps the hardest and most worthwhile days of my life. I’ve learned more about myself and the sheer power of determination than any mentor, any college professor, or any single person on this earth could ever deliver.

You see, I’ve spent the better part of the last two days with my brothers at the hospital. My day’s kidneys temporarily failed after 17 years battling cancer. He’s been everywhere from Chicago to Pittsburgh to here in Erie, seeking help where ever he thought the most appropriate.

This last major operation landed him in Pittsburgh for about 6 months of recovery. Through that ordeal, he almost dies 6 times and (for all intents and purposes) died twice. Each time, he made it back.

After the long time away, he finally returned home with some medical supplies and well wishes. He wasn’t necessarily better, but he was functional. 7 days later, he was in an ambulance because his kidneys failed.

With a blood pressure of 50/30, the doctors gave him 24 hours to medicate him and flush his system of all the acid. After 24 hours, either we were going to make a decision or they were going to bring him around enough so that we didn’t have to.

After 24 hours he was fully cognizant and said he wanted to live.

Here’s a man who’s 51 years old and weighs 62.8 lbs after 17 years with cancer. He really doesn’t know if it’s day or night because for the last six months the lights are always on in his room. He’s hooked up to a ventilator and a urin bag. And he has been defying all odds of survival.

So there I was, with my three brothers, watching him fight another battle that has yet to get him. All the while, I’m pondering mortality and my contribution to the human race. What have I done in my 28 years here that has changed lives? What do I stand for? Where do my true passions lie? What is it that I find truly enjoyable?

Death seems to do that to people. It’s the ultimate challenge. Personally, I internalize everything, think it through, and then act on the results I come up with. Is that the right way to be? I don’t know. But that’s how I do it.

As of right now, my dad is ok. He’s broken through another barrier and told the reaper to visit him some other time. Yet again.

In the coming weeks, you’re going to see a new side of me. I’m going to cut all the things out that I’m not truly passionate about. I will be expanding on things that I find true enjoyment in and have the utmost belief in. I’ll be shifting my focus from the intricate aspects of social media and business consulting to a bigger picture that’s rooted in the realm of ideas and success (and how technology and social media can help amplify those things)..

Those are some of the elements I’m truly passionate about.

I want to thank Tim Ferriss because as I’ve struggled with my own identity over the last two days, I remembered a lot of what he taught in The 4 Hour Work Week. Business wise, Blue Ocean Strategy and Gravitational Marketing are going to be driving a lot of what you’re about to see.

Ultimately, I can finally say I’m excited about what’s coming up next. I don’t know that I’ve ever been able to say that professionally. My mind is right. My goals are laid out. And I’m as determined as my father is after 17 years of cancer.

That’s a pretty sick combination.

(ps. This post is written probably more for me than anything else. If you do happen to read it, do me a favor – stand for something. Life is too short merely live without any opinion and any passion.)