Slave No More: Conquering the Master Within

By Paul A. Henderson

Through the sharing of true stories, Slave No More teaches how to overcome life circumstances and live a life free from belief in limitation. Slave No More is the story of a young adult, Bobby, who is continuously dominated by impressions of his earlier life circumstances. His struggle with a work project brings back memories of challenges with his family, school failures, and disappointments in his athletic career. The overwhelming thoughts are hindering him from completing the task at hand. His good friend introduces Bobby to his mentor, Mr. J, a wise, older man who helps Bobby break free from enslaving thoughts. Through his memorable weekend with Mr. J, Bobby has enlightening conversations with him, his wife, and their friends. With generosity and insight, these people share stories of overcoming their challenging circumstances with Bobby. Mr. J helps extract the principles from each tale so that Bobby can carry them with him as he embraces his journey of freedom. By the time he returns to the apartment he shares with his friend, Bobby has begun to see the value in himself, even after failure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781631955952

Book preview

Preface

The inspiration for this book comes from a variety of life experiences—personal and observed. I have often witnessed people’s tendency to hold their past in higher regard than their future, which begs the question, Why? We are alive in the present with our whole future ahead of us, so why do we allow the past to control us today?

Enter Slave No More. The whole idea is to encourage the reader that being bound to their past is an option. Over the years, personal acquaintances have shared their stories with me and how they overcame adverse life circumstances. I wonder what separates Person A, the overcomer, from Person B, the bound one. Is there much difference? Or can we narrow it down to a mindset?

This book has been a few years in the writing, and in the process, I have learned more about how to free myself from limiting thoughts. As you follow a young man’s steps and lessons along the way, you will discover the power and effectiveness of having a strong vision to guide you through challenges. By the time you finish reading the book, I imagine that you will be ready to live with a sense of purpose, of being a slave no more.

Paul A. Henderson

Richmond, VA

CHAPTER 1

Bobby was frustrated. Another evening with another incomplete project looming over his head. Sitting at the small dining room table in his apartment, he stared at the instructions to what he had convinced himself was an endless task. The scattered pieces of the model train across the entire table were a depiction of his thoughts. His life felt derailed. The last thing he wanted to be doing on a Friday night in December was putting together any work project. Why does this keep happening to me? Will I ever be able to finish anything that I start? As he questioned himself, Bobby began replaying the list of incomplete tasks and assignments that burned in his memory of twenty-five years. The seventh-grade science fair project. The speech that he had tried to recite in front of his Social Studies class in eleventh grade. His senior term paper. He always experienced two common elements in every situation: He started strong, and he had trouble finishing.

Bobby interrupted his inner bully rant when Eric, his longtime friend, and new roommate, walked into the room. The look of frustration on Bobby’s face was all too familiar to Eric.

Bobby and Eric had been friends since their freshman year in college, so Eric could always tell if there was something wrong with his friend. Their friendship continued into their young adult years when they recently started to share the apartment. Eric looked compassionately at the disarray on the table.

Hey, what’s up, Bobby? It looks like you’re upset about something, Eric said.

Great. This is just what I need. I am already frustrated with this impossible project, and now I have to entertain Mr. Can-Do-No-Wrong? Yeah, he’s successful now. Does he realize that I know that this was not always his case? I remember his struggles, and I remember his failures. Eric, you know how it goes. You’ve heard it all before, we don’t need to talk about it. When will he learn? I don’t always need his advice. The longer he stands there, the longer it will take for me to focus on this project. I wish he would leave me alone.

Eric could see that his friend was troubled, so he paused for a moment. Eric walked over to Bobby, placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder, and said, Come on, Bobby. How long have we been friends? Something’s going on; let’s talk about it. Let me treat you to dinner.

An astonished Bobby looked at Eric because this was not a regular occurrence. Treat me to dinner? Well, I am hungry, and I could use a break. So, what do I have to lose? Bobby agreed, so they grabbed their coats and headed to Eric’s car.

On the drive to their favorite burger joint, Eric asked, It looks like you’re in the middle of a project. What are you frustrated about?

Bobby took a deep breath and exhaled loudly with a groan. I really don’t want to go into the details with him, but then, he is treating me to dinner. I guess I owe it to him, and I’ll give it a shot. At work, we have this group Christmas project to present to a local boys’ home. We were each given a role, and somehow, mine is way out of my expertise. You know that I am not good at those do-it-yourself jobs. I’ve been putting it off, and now I only have five days left. When I think of all the things that I like about the holiday season, parties, shopping, and gift exchanges, I don’t see how I can complete my part of the project. It’s more than an uphill battle. I feel like I’m staring at an unconquerable wall. How can I complete this task and still enjoy what’s left of the holiday season?

Well, did you let the group know that your task is out of your league? Eric asked.

No, I couldn’t do that. The project has everyone so pumped, and I don’t want to be ‘that guy,’ you know?

Eric replied, Bobby, I think I know what you mean. And I admit that in the past, I have jumped to conclusions rather than hear you out. I really want to be sure that I completely understand your point of view. So, if you don’t mind, could you tell me a little more?

Come on, Eric; you know exactly what I mean. I don’t want to put a damper on everyone’s excitement or have excuses. Who wants to hear about it? I’m afraid of being seen as a slacker.

Eric knew that Bobby cared about what people thought of him, especially about his abilities; that fear had hindered him over the years they’d been friends. Eric reflected on what he’d been recently learning while applying his life lessons and how he could help his friend tap into his potential, too. For a moment, Eric was silent as he gathered his thoughts.

CHAPTER 2

While the young men settled into the booth to eat once the waiter delivered their food, Eric glanced at Bobby before biting his burger. He was genuinely concerned for his friend for more reasons than Bobby realized. Even though he was familiar with how Bobby’s limiting thoughts predominated his approach to school, work, and life, Eric also knew that Bobby did not have to be dominated by those thoughts. How can I help my friend? It would be easy for me to tell him to stop having a pity party, except that I remember recently being in a similar place.

When Eric finished chewing, he asked, Bobby, can I ask you a couple of questions?

Bobby looked at Eric with a blank stare. What have I gotten myself into now? Is there any way that I can say, ‘No’? He’s treating me to dinner, so I guess I have to cooperate. After taking a long sip of his soda, Bobby said, Sure. Go ahead.

Eric leaned back in his booth. Even though he knew where this conversation could go, people had often mistaken his good intentions for arrogance. His concern for Bobby was genuine, and he wanted to be sure to communicate so that Bobby would know that his friend was in his corner. "You said a couple of things in the last hour that grabbed my