Dash of Courage: Letter from Lake Como

"There are tomorrows on the way, worth the struggles of today."—Richelle Goodrich

I grew up in Acworth, Georgia—where summer included Tarzan tree swings into Lake Allatoona. 

Mom worked 2 jobs to make ends meet for me and my brother. Dad sold insurance. 

Red Lobster was the grand prize for a solid report card or a big birthday.

I never left the country until the very end of college—that was thanks to a scholarship.

Growing up with no money means you have to make your own luck...and are thankful for every opportunity you get. 

I had a great childhood which led to the mantra for the company I later co-founded with my great friend Kevin Scott.

At our 1st Leadership Conference we had t-shirts printed with big bold letters of our mantra: "Where Grassroots meets Wow"

We text each other that line still to this day. Remembering where we came from and giving it our best. 

These days perspective seems hard. At least for me. 

But then you see a quote, hear a story, or get a text that keeps you going.

I'm writing this from Lake Como—a long way from Lake Allatoona. 

There is a group of us here for a wedding. I still don't know how I got here or the millions of lucky moments that allowed for it.  

I was checking up on a friend, who is also here, and he wrote me back the following:
 "Having lunch by the lake thinking about how I used to get free lunches at school and reflecting on what a lucky b*stard I am."

Brilliant. Perspective. 

It reminded me that life is a wild journey. We all struggle. We all have setbacks. But the real key is to keep going ANYWAY.

Mother Teresa wrote a poem that I still remember. It was in her children's home in Calcutta, India. It was just as true then, as it is today.

It's called "Anyway"

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Dash of Courage:
There will always be ups a downs, struggles and setbacks, but have a Dash of Courage to keep going...Anyway.

Courage over Comfort,
Garrett