Overcome Adversity: Your Dreams Matter

By Andrew L. Brown

"Overcome Adversity" is an inspiring book written for those who are facing or have dealt with life adversities (low self-esteem, traumatic experiences, auto accidents, bodily injuries, loss of love one's, family problems, marital issues, finances, career loss or burnout). Masterfully written, this book serves as a roadmap to help readers rediscover their life's purpose.

Are you tired of letting your fears run your life?

Are you tired of attracting negative people?

Do you want to stop compromising your faith and promoting your fears?

Are you open to learn something new and succeed at (1) new thing in your life?

If you answered "YES"...Today, you desire a fresh perspective, with workable solutions to achieve your dreams. "Overcome Adversity: Your Dreams Matter" is written to inspire and empower you to challenge yourself to overcome the limitations in your own mind and life, right now!

This book is an active read, emotionally connecting the reader with realistic examples, inspirational and spiritual insight, and practical applications for their individual concerns. "Overcome Adversity" is about people developing a mindset geared towards improving their current way of thinking. Author Andrew Brown is passionate about helping people achieve their life's purpose.

His book shares a non-fictional account of a near-fatal car accident and his process of recovery, which became a unique platform to experience God's love, growth and healing from life's mistakes and unplanned adversity, The story line embraces ordinary people. The reader walks with Andrew, through his medical recovery experiencing the revelation of leadership, and God's purposeful plan for his life.

The takeaway for the reader is, "People can overcome life's adversities, the moment they realize their dreams matter!" To realize means to understand correctly. The reader will realize they have the potential to make the vision imparted in their spirit; a REAL experience in their life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9780976563921

Book preview

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Overcome Adversity

Your Dreams Matter

Andrew L. Brown

Copyright © 2021 Andrew L. Brown

Second Edition

All rights reserved. Names have been changed to reserve privacy and copyright protection. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.

Published by:

BreakThru Publishing

P.O. Box 7815

Westchester, IL  60154

Printed in the United States of America

Cover and layout: Ad Graphics, LLC., Tulsa, OK

ISBN #: 978-0-9765639-2-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021902843

A Letter from the Author to You

This book will help you achieve the change you desire! Overcome Adversity Your Dreams Matter was born in a defining moment of loss in multiple areas of my life. I was at my lowest point, and I could see NO OPTIONS. God appeared to me and guided me on a journey to discover my purpose in his name. I accepted and promised to pursue the new opportunity.

Today, you desire a fresh perspective, with workable solutions to achieve your dreams. It is with great joy that I present, Overcome Adversity Your Dreams Matter, to you. Overcome Adversity Your Dreams Matter is written to inspire and empower you to challenge yourself to overcome the limitations in your own mind and life, right now!

I did not know that my story would have such a unique and positive impact on the lives of our readers. I enjoy hearing the testimonies from those who have written or witnessed me sharing insightful perspectives with audiences from education to business and industry. My goal is to help you embrace your story and achieve your dream because…Your Dreams Matter!

What Others Are Saying About Overcome Adversity… Your Dreams Matter

You have written a dynamic book. This book is a must read for soldiers and young people. It can serve as a guide to overcome life’s adversities and problems. You did an excellent job communicating your analogy of your accident and relating it to life adversities. Anyone’s dream can be realized if acted upon. Someone somewhere is experiencing problems with marriage, family, business, finance, etc. By following your simple solutions presented in your book, anyone can overcome adversities.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Blackwell, IL Army National Guard

This is a book that gives us hope that no matter what, we can turn our dreams into reality. Anyone would be inspired by Andrew’s story.

Vickie Sullivan, Sullivan Speaker Services, Inc.

That which is important learning for you comes though loud and clear to the reader…I believe people will enjoy reading about you and your experiences.  The sincerity in your writing will inspire others to believe that adversities will come and go while it is only what we do for Christ that will last.

Pat Moncure, Principal, Washington State Board of Education

This book can inspire you and help to chart your life’s course in a positive direction.

Nido Qubein, Chairman, Great Harvest Bread Company

"After reading Andrew Brown’s book, Overcome Adversity you will be compelled to re-examine your own life. Certainly, readers will be left feeling motivated,  encouraged and inspired as they face the ‘trials and tribulations’ in their own lives. I certainly have great admiration for this young man who overcame the monumental challenges in his life by using ‘GOD, Faith and Determination’ as his crutches. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has ever experienced ‘hard times’ in any form. Bravo Andrew for a job WELL DONE!!!"

Betty Anderson, Healthcare Professional

Andrew’s story is an inspiration…reading it is guaranteed to give you the courage to make your dream become a reality.

Dr. Vicky Gordon, Consultant The Gordon Group

"People are like sticks of dynamite. The power is on the inside, but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit. Overcome Adversity by Andrew Brown will light the fuse inside you."

Joe Bonini, CEO, MD World Financial Group

Reading this book has helped me to realize there is nothing I can’t do as long as I have Jesus as my Savior, at the head of my life. This book has blessed me in all areas of my life and showed me my purpose in God’s kingdom and gave me the tools to accomplish them.

Daryl Watson, Student

This is one of the finest books I have ever read. It inspires, uplifts the spirit, and reminds you of the truths you already knew, but perhaps have forgotten. It is wonderful to think of all the people this book will help. It is ideal to use as a gift for someone you love who may be downhearted. Bravo, Andrew L. Brown!

Dottie Walters, CSP President, Walters International Speakers

Bureau Publisher/Editor, SHARING IDEAS MAGAZINE

Founder, International Association of Speakers Bureaus IASB

To

My Lovely Wife, Jocelyn

and

Beloved Daughters

Anis’ and Jadyn

to

My Parents

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sr. & Betty Brown

In Memory of the Family Legacy Heroes:

Payton and Pearlie Thompson – Great Grandparents

Charlie Sr. and Betty Pope – Great Grandparents,

Alma and Edward Brown –  Grandparents,

Lacy Dixon, Grandfather, (Retired - VA) – US ARMY AIR FORCE,

Lou Pearl and John Willie Cooper –  Grandparents,

and

Ken H., Friend, 1LT – US ARMY

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Chapter One: The Accident of Life

Chapter Two: Influences of a Military Career

Chapter Three: The Trial – A Decision to Destiny™

Chapter Four: Breakthrough Boot Camp: Lessons Learned

Chapter Five: Dreams and Destiny

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Through an accident of life, Andrew Brown’s circumstances are changed forever. A young man in the prime of opportunity is suddenly thrust into an act-see-dent that causes him to change his perspectives and embrace adversity as a way of life. In Overcome Adversity, Andrew shares his experiences and his lessons learned as a way to help others understand that no matter what happens, Your Dreams Matter.

Andrew’s story is a story of the power of prayer and the healing power of love. He is challenged with injury to so many parts of his body – brain, jaw, hip, leg, spine, lungs and ribs; left in a coma; and suffers the death of a friend, all from the same accident of life. Although his body is broken and his recovery challenged, he never allows his spirit to break. His journey is tempered by a belief, a spiritual force that contains him, drives him, consoles him and guides him to healing.

Andrew’s story is a story of character development. On an emotional roller coaster of hope and despair, he travels through the process of healing himself inside and out. The ride inspires him to re-write his original life plan, find new dreams and map a new terrain of his life to create paths to attain new dreams. Overcome Adversity will inspire you to move in the direction of your dreams because Your Dreams Matter.

I met Andrew in Detroit, Michigan one winter and had the opportunity to coach him in the area of professional speaking. I was unprepared for strength of his presence, impressed by the strength of his voice and encouraged by the strength of his story. Hearing his story and feeling his presence allowed me to clearly see his compassion and his ability to touch others. He will touch you by this story and the lessons he has learned. And if you are fortunate enough to hear him speak you will be compelled to accelerate your efforts to make your dreams a reality.

Overcome Adversity is a hard-hitting, true life story of about the best kind of comeback. Andrew deals with his unexpected challenges while staying positive and growing from the experience. His is a life woven in a faith and demonstrated in love. His story will touch your heart, propel you to grow and imprint you with the reality that Your Dreams Matter.

Norma Thompson Hollis, President,

SPEAKERS ETCETERA / Black Speakers Online

Preface

I want to share a story of how a near-fatal auto accident and the challenges to survive developed me for an ordained mission set forth by God. In retrospect, I had an unexpected turn of events in my life in 1993 concerning my career, family, and goals. A lot of my time was spent allowing distracting situations and circumstances to dictate my life’s direction. Once I made the decision to focus and pursue my dream I started to succeed at achieving my goals.

In 1997, at the highlight of achieving my desired military goals, life changed and challenged me to prove the value of my dream. I was involved in a near-fatal auto accident, and during my recovery, I was concerned with rehabilitation, additional surgeries, my daughter, and parents. But, behind the scenes, I did not know that there was a greater purpose being formulated within me for a defining moment in life. While writing this book, I learned two critical lessons: 1.) We have decisions we make everyday, and these decisions have an impact on our lives as well as others. 2) Some of our decisions can be rewarding while other’s have results that challenge and threaten our potential to achieve our desired goals.

I will share with you a perspective I learned during my recovery process called Tri-E Attitude (Educate, Evaluate, and Elevate™). The Tri-E Attitude looks at these important words: Educate, Evaluate, and Elevate each, as independent ideas that join together to develop a clear understanding of the next move people need to make to achieve personal success.

CHAPTER ONE

The Accident of Life

On Top of the World

On January 8th, 1998, I felt like I was on top of the world. I had accomplished all of the things that I had set out to do. With a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Communications with studies in International Marketing and Military Science, I was just the person the army was looking for.

As a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army I had exceeded my own expectations, as well as those of family members who had preceded me in military service. Numerous awards for outstanding service attested to my success. In addition to all that, I had just completed coursework at the Army’s Pleasant Valley Medical Center and School in Nas Tonyia, Texas to become a medical officer.

On the final day of class, all the medical officers were turning in their supplies and clearing post before the graduation ceremony the next day. When I finished, I went back to my room to relax and enjoy the overwhelming experience of finally completing my heart’s desire. I had not made plans to go anywhere that day. I was thinking about seeing my daughter and sharing with her the joy of accomplishing my dream. I knew I had just received a great blessing, and I was so thankful to God for helping me make it through the years of hard training. I was excited! Tomorrow was my day and I was going to graduate.

The Celebration

After completing training, military personnel always have cause for celebration. The friends and bonds established during training are like none other. The memories will remain long after everyone goes to their respective duty stations. However, two of my close fiends, French, and Ivine wanted to go out and celebrate. I was at home relaxing when they came by and woke me up around 8:30 p.m. Come on man, this is the last time we are going to be together. Let’s go! I hesitated, but they persisted. Finally, I agreed to go. I first met French and Ivine when I arrived at Pleasant Valley Medical Center and School. We were classmates in the Medical Officer Basic Course and quickly became good friends. Ivine was a smart guy who was really smooth. He had just graduated college and was getting started in his military career. He was the first of the many friends I made at Pleasant Valley Medical Center and School. French was an awesome guy, a proven military leader with a great heart. He was also a loving father of four daughters and a member of the college fraternity Omega Psi Phi. We shared two common bonds; we were both fathers of daughters and both Army Airborne Paratroopers.

Once the three of us decided to go out, other friends from class joined us. Sannan, a good friend of Ivine’s from college and my friend EL, a physician’s assistant in the army, accompanied us in