 Less is more! Well, at least when it comes to materialistic items and "junk" (items that you own that you don’t use and need). For example, less junk means more space and less materialistic items means that you have more money. It's too often that I hear people talk about how little space and money they have and in the same conversation hear them talk about their boat, guns, brand new car, or something else that is rarely used or needed. If only there was a way solve this problem... there is!
 Storytime: Growing Up HomelessThere’s an estimate of over 500,000 people struggling with homelessness in America and over 150,000,000 people worldwide. Some people may choose to be in that position but the majority are not homeless by choice. It’s our responsibility to help those around us, when we can, to prevent this number from increasing. I’ve been homeless and overcome it as well as helped others do the same. Here’s my story…
 When people ask what I do for a living, I often answer with "I travel and talk to people". This is oversimplifying but it's essentially true. However, let's dive a little bit deeper into my career, how I got here, and where I plan to go. Maybe you can relate and/or be inspired by my path and in turn it will help yours.
 Previous transformation (2021) For the first 25 years of my life, fitness was done by instinct because I was constantly playing basketball for competition and working out for fun. I can truthfully say that there were few days that I didn't do at least one or the other. Since then, I have focused more on my career, relationships, obligations, etc. and less on fitness. I did do a 100 day workout challenge within that time but after it was complete, I went back to my new routine. However, over the past year (2022) I've worked out less than I ever have. There were weeks that I worked out every day and for the first time, there were weeks where I didn't work out at all. Although I picked up boxing, which has recently stopped for the Winter, I dropped playing basketball temporarily due to ankle injuries. So, I'm setting some new goals to ignite the fire and in turn get back to a point where working out is instinctive.
Planning for your first "adult job", as they say, can bring out insecurities in yourself. How are you going to do? Will you know enough to succeed? Will the people like you? But even before that, it's scary applying to jobs. You're basically trying to sell yourself to a company when you have no idea if you're worthy yet.
After sending out a countless amount of resumes and doing interviews, I finally received the call from an employer that I was wanted to work for. I had two weeks until college graduation which timed out perfectly. I had planned for this call, in my mind, for months. I knew exactly how it would go down. I would hear out the offer then accept it, plain and simple. However, when the call came, I did something I never thought I'd do. I usually write about what I'm going through after it has happened. However, like a musician making a heartfelt song while they're in love, I figured I'd write about how I currently feel... maybe it could help someone else going through the same thing. At the very least, it may help myself.
 "I Don't Need Therapy"While growing up, people would mention how important it was to see a therapist. They would say "You've been through a lot and seeing a therapist would help". But, like most men my age, I didn't see any reason to because I figured I was fine. I persevered through struggles, like most people do, and moved on. Why would I waste my time on seeing a therapist and have them tell me what I already knew?
Storytime: Don't Give Up!Mid 2020, as the world was caught off guard by covid-19, I received a phone call that would change my life forever. A voice said “Greg, your mother was attacked and is in the hospital”. I rushed to the hospital and found my mother covered in blood from head to toe. She had broken bones, burn marks, and lacerations everywhere. It had been some time since we had last spoken, so I had no idea what was going on. I found out that she was down on her luck and ended up homeless. Then late in one random night, two men attacked her.
 STORYTIME: A Letter From The DeadIn early 2013, my sister was going about her normal day until she fainted. Of course this was not normal, so she was rushed to the hospital. After days of testing, she was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, otherwise known as HLH, a severe systemic inflammatory syndrome that had a 50% survival rate.
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Greg Smolka
Greg is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native with a passion for personal growth and the city of Grand Rapids. #WeAreGR
"Growth is the driving force to success & happiness" - G.S. |
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