I promised some sneak peeks,
so here are a few pieces from our sixth chapter, "Destiny."
Please hit REPLY with your thoughts and answers. :)
At this point, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that I’m crazy for believing all of these things weren’t coincidences at all, and instead some kind of “destiny.” A few years ago, I would have agreed with you. But I have to tell you, in hindsight, it’s difficult for me to brush off all of the opportunities and people that have appeared for me exactly when I needed them.
For example, when I decided to go down a non-traditional educational path, a network full of insightful change-makers and mentors appeared. They helped me figure out what I like to do and don’t like to do according to my innate wiring and personality which helped me to hone in on some possible career paths. From there, I got the inspiration to start a business, Caterbuilder (pronounced like caterpillar), that helps entrepreneurs and small businesses build their next dream from the ground up. And when I say I got the “inspiration,” what I mean is that every single step from its inception all the way to its creation let me know that it was the right next thing for me to do: The workshop that was offered to me from a wonderful family friend, the way that the brand lined up with the butterfly metaphor that my mom weaved into her life and business, and the logo that not only looks like a caterpillar but also matches the flow of my signature since I learned how to write in cursive.
It took about nine months of experimenting with and searching for the work I love the most when I realized that I was happiest when the work I do is novel to me, involves lots of checklists, smart systems, and incredible teams of people. I became determined to find out how I could do and experience more of those things, and instead of finding the answer, the answer found me: project management. And what do you know? A month later, a huge pilot project for the state of New Mexico showed up and needed my help with the guidance of an incredible mentor (who also showed up at the most perfect time imaginable). Don’t even get me started on the project management certification course that landed at my feet barely one month into the project—it’s so exciting to me!
~ Aaron
Destiny, Fate, and Time
What did you learn about Destiny, Fate, and Time, from your favorite childhood stories? Looking back at my earliest childhood stories, I see stories of heroes like Maverick (Top Gun) and Doug (Iron Eagle), who seem to have been born with the exact-right combination of strengths and ambitions to do what they were called to do, but who also spent long hours in preparation, honing their natural abilities. Whether the calling was external or internal and whether they believed they were meant to do it or not, effort and training were required, and so were the wounds. The wounds and fears of more loss and pain somehow compelled them and focused their efforts. (These heroes also validated my inner rebel who innately knew that I would eventually have to get over my desire to fit in and face the fact that who I am and what I am here to do requires me to take big risks and make others feel uncomfortable and even scared in the process.) I marveled at how it seemed like all of the mentors and resources seemed perfectly placed and timed. I mean, it’s a freaking miracle that the talented young pilot’s friends were already primed with the knowledge and access required to steal two jets and save his father (Iron Eagle).
