Second Chances: The Power to Move On, Forgive Ourselves and Start over Again!

By D. Eric Harris

Though small in content Second Chances has very big message. Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, young or old Second Chances has message for all who seek to live better lives. If you have ever failed in life which most of us have this is just for you.
I blew it! Why should I even try again?
How do you respond when presented with a second chance?
Are you currently at a crossroads, unsure which way to go? Do you ever wonder why we choose the paths we take? How do we change our self-destructive behavior?
Life is about change and adjustment to situations everyone encounters. Those who make the necessary adjustments usually live contented lives. Any area of life in which you made an attempt but failed in could be worth another shot. Second chances come in many situations, from addictions to relationships, or education and business opportunities. Gain insight and inspiration for turning your life around. Everyone makes mistakes; dont waste too much time thinking about what yours was. Take that second chance; forgive yourself and move onto your destiny! Second chances can make a difference. Imagine what you may be missing if you never try again.
Arent you worth a Second Chance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450231756

D. Eric Harris

D. Eric Harris experienced multiple failures in life, from school and marriage to alcohol and drug addictions. Inspired by the many chances to experience the joy of living he penned Second Chances. After failing many times in different areas of life he realized his life has been a series of second chances. Renewed dreams that were lost are now reality. He finds himself happily married, content, successful, grateful, drug and alcohol free. Married for fourteen years to an inspiring counselor, father to one son and stepfather to two more, the former telecom professional now finds joy in his profession as videographer and editor.

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Copyright © 2010 by D. Eric Harris

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The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-4502-3174-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4502-3175-6 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 7/19/2010

This book is dedicated to anyone in need

of a new beginning in life,

whether from addictions or relationships,

education or business opportunities.

Any area of life that you’ve tried

and failed at could be worth another try.

Aren’t you worth it?

Contents

Introduction

I

Who Am I?

II

Why Me?

III

The Way of Life

IV

Dare to Dream Again: Dreamers Make It

V

The Peaks and Valleys: Everything Is Not Always Okay!

VI

Star Moments

VII

Life Is Really What We Make It

VIII

Forgive Yourself

IX

Start Over Again: Move on to Your Destiny

Afterword

Acknowledgments & Inspirations

Introduction

Second Chances began on the second day of July 1987. I faced a major crossroad in my life: I needed to make a decision that could change the direction of my life and myself forever. Which way do we go is the question? Should we take the next right, turn left, back up or continue on the same path hoping for the best. That second day of the month began a lifetime of second chances for me.

Many chances later I am inspired to share actual experiences to help those who are in need of a second chance. This is intended to inspire people to try again after failures that are surely a part of living. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you have been, or what you’ve done; you can start all over again! Why and how, you ask? It’s because of who He is, where He’s been, and what He’s done. He being God of your understanding and personal preference.

This is not your typical spiritual book, although spirituality is a part of it. Don’t get it twisted; spirituality is different from religion. We all possess spirits—some good and others evil. You don’t have to be a religious fanatic to get a second chance in life—just someone with a desire to make some changes to your life, which we all need to do from time to time. Change is good, and life is always changing. Nothing and no one remains the same forever; you can take that to the bank and get interest on it!

This is a book of trials, testings, triumphs, fears, and failures with an underlying hope that I am still worth something and worth the struggle to get it. The it I struggled for is what most people want in life: to be satisfied with ourselves. Many times we struggle not so much with situations or people, but the inner battles that are waged over and over until we give in or give up on ourselves. Such as our choices of what we know to be right only to choose wrong again.

I am in no way privileged or overeducated; just your ordinary guy with a desire to live a life of happiness in spite of life’s challenges and pressing on in spite of the pain. I am living some of my dreams here on earth before my time is up. Isn’t this true of most of us? We have some dreams we would like to fulfill while we have the chance. That’s what Second Chances is all about.

Why didn’t I give up after the addiction, alcoholism, failed first marriage, growing up without a father in the home, racism, and corporate BS? Along the way I clung to the hope and dream that life was what I would make it. Therefore, I refused to give up when I lost my life to drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, and many other struggles.

We must believe in ourselves if we are going to accomplish anything in life. It’s up to us and not our mothers, fathers, spouses or handouts. That’s not to say we don’t need help from others because I did, and I still seek help to better myself through reading and sharing with others. No person is an island, or meant to struggle on his or her own. We all need a hand from time to time. Life is about sharing and passing on the lessons learned to make the world a better place for all to enjoy. I believe it’s God’s will for everyone to experience the joy of living, no matter if we are well off or less fortunate. The choice is solely up to the individual whether change or another chance is worth it. You and I hold more power over our lives than we really know.

Give yourself more credit than others who may have written you off, saying, He / she will always be like that. We have to stay positive and give all we do our best effort. As the saying goes, Shoot for the moon and you might reach the stars. There have been star moments along my life journey, and there have been dark, lonely nights. My desire is to share my journey of second chances with you to inspire you in your own journey.

In this day of instant everything, people are missing out on what really matters, which is genuine inner peace and satisfaction with oneself. We don’t have to live up to others’ expectations because they may not be who we really are or meant to be.

Do you know who you are? You owe it yourself to find out. What do you have to lose? Don’t give up or give in to your failures. Your dream come true is probably closer than you think.

Apply the lessons of living within this book and be inspired to try again. If you do, you will gain more hope, peace, joy, love, and contentment, which we all can use. If you’ve ever wondered why we do what we do and how to change some of those things for the better then this is just for you. You’ll be inspired to try again because you are worth it!

I

Who Am I?

Who am I? seemed like a ridiculous question twenty-two years ago when asked by a man whom I now call a friend and who was trying to help me get my life back on track. I distinctly remember how he said to me, You want to know who you are.

I thought to myself, like you may be thinking right now, Who is this cat? I know who I am. But did I really know who I was, and do you know who you really are? That’s a question most of us probably never ask ourselves. Could it be that we’re afraid of the answers, because there are so many things we could be? Could we be so arrogant and prideful, thinking we know everything, especially who we are?

We are more than most people see on the surface. We love to put on airs, to pretend we have our act together. We love to dress up the outside for the world to see, when honestly we are none of what we put on. There is so much that has molded us that we probably don’t know who we really are. Some things are good, others great, some ugly, some handsome and