Casualties of Progress

Very few people that come across my path can tell by looking at and speaking with me that I was originally born in Jamaica, West Indies.  When people say that I don’t have an accent, my usual retort is that, “I was Jamaican when Jamaican wasn't cool!”  When I first arrived in the United States (US) in the mid-seventies, my accent was very strong and was often ridiculed; therefore, I had to learn how to imitate the American accent quickly so as to not stand out as a “foreigner”.  Well…“What does that have to do with casualties of progress?” you may be thinking.  Let me explain.

I was born in November of 1966 in Jamaica to parents that did not have a sprawling estate, a car to drive, or even an apartment or house of their own.  After a year of birth my Mom desired a better life for us.  Therefore, she was able to secure a visa to gain entry into the United States in hopes of one day bringing the entire family there.  Unfortunately, it took four additional years for that to be accomplished. 

What did that mean?

This meant that I did not have my Mom around me for four of my critical years of development.  Little did I know the impact that would have on me as an adult.  I also found out that my Dad would leave six months at time to do what they called “farm work” in the US; thereby relegating us (me along with my brother and sister) to be passed around to various relatives for upbringing.  Wow!  Now just imagine what a young child is experiencing not having his mother around for four years and not seeing his dad but periodically.  Although I’m sure some of you that are reading this may have experienced even worse situations, there is a point to my story.

My Mom and Dad desired better for us as their children than they had or could financially provide.  They wanted us to be in an environment where we could learn, apply, and grow beyond anything that they had seen thus far in their lifetime.  It was because of those desires that the tough decision to leave us was made.  However, that decision to position us for progress produced certain casualties in the lives of their children.

The nature of war indicates that there will be certain causalities–those killed, injured or displaced by war. The same can be said of progress–there will be casualties.  In order for something to live, oftentimes something has to die whether physically or spiritually.  A seed must first die in order for that tree to emerge and live.

I had to understand that although my feelings of abandonment and rejection were valid, they were part of the casualty in the journey of progress that my parents had to take in order for me to have the access I have today.  I had to admit, confront, and deal with those feelings of abandonment and rejection along with their lingering impact on my life.  I also began to understand and appreciate the lessons learned along the journey of progress.  Had my Mom decided to stay in Jamaica, many of the opportunities and experiences that I now share with my children would be quite different. 

Would I have loved to have both parents active in all of my years of life?  Absolutely!  However, because my Mother took that risk (not that she wanted to, but in her mind–had to) over forty-something years ago, today she and my Dad are able to see their children live productive lives at a level far above their ceiling.  That Jamaican boy with the funny accent in the mid-seventies is now an American citizen, Motivational Speaker, Trainer, and Growth Coach with children of his own.

What tough decisions are you making that will position you or your family for greatness?

What casualties have you endured so that you or your posterity can be positioned for progress?

Progress is not free.  The question is, “What price are you willing to pay?”

Aim High…

© 2012 Aldean Pearson

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Aldean “Al” Pearson is a Professional Speaker, Trainer, and Perspective Coach.  He is the Co-Founder of the LĪVE! movement, a speaking, training and coaching organization committed to developing extraordinary people, families, and businesses. His “up-front and candid,” yet at times humorous approach empowers his clients and audiences to look past their limitations to find the hidden gems of capability within. He is married with twin boy and girl. 
Contact: AlPearson1@gmail.com

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An Open Letter to Women

“I see when men love women.  They give them but a little of their lives.  But women when they love give everything.” – Oscar Wilde

Early one morning as I was praying for my family, I began to reflect on some of the thinking patterns I had, choices I made, and actions taken towards women that were in no way beneficial to their growth.  I was then inspired to construct this “Open Letter of Apology” to all the women who have been the recipient of the negative actions of men.

Let me first start by saying, I am so grateful that my past has not defined me, but has been used as a tool to refine me into the MAN that I am today.  However, this transition and transformation was not something that I just “fell” into; it took a willing and intentional effort on my part to admit, confront, and deal with a mindset that was entrenched so deep that it was very challenging to overcome.  Thank God for placing within me the will and desire to be better, and giving me a wonderful wife who continues to champion and assist me as I continue this life’s journey of freedom and value.

How did this start?

When we men are confronted with a counterproductive choice we have made, it is easier for us to say that it was the action of someone else that precipitated that behavior instead of taking full responsibility for our actions.  Unfortunately, the “genesis” of this behavioral pattern started in Genesis.  Even Adam when confronted with his disobedient action, blamed the woman (Genesis 3:11-12).  No, we were not created that way; however, we did take on that (Adamic) nature because of Adam’s decision of deliberate disobedience.  What is that nature?  That nature is the perceived need to self-preserve no matter what collateral damage ensues.  It is that mindset that for years has viewed women from an ancillary and not complementary position.  For that, I apologize.

Women, I apologize for all the men who have been the purveyors of hurt.  In other words, most hurts can oftentimes be traced back to a male figure.  There is no right way to explain a wrong; however, let me help to uncover the reason (not an excuse) as to why that has been.  For as long as I can remember, which is just a blurb of time compared to man’s existence, many societies have taught most males–starting at a very young age–that they are not to cry and/or feel pain.  We have been taught/told to “suck it up,” “be a man,” and “stop acting like a woman” to name a few phrases.  For the majority of their lives, these phrases have been expressed to males by both men and women.  Well, unless I’ve been bamboozled, hurts, internal pains and tears are not gender specific. 

Therefore, where do these hurts and pains go 
when a male is experiencing these feelings?


Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to internalize them.  However, in doing so, we become unaware that by continually internalizing those feelings, they eventually produce external symptoms.  Simply put, “Hurt people…Hurt people.”  Consequently, we men then externalize those hurts in various forms of abuse–manipulation and control, promiscuity, substance addiction, etc.  Additionally, oftentimes we aren’t even realizing the source of those symptoms due to never being taught or given the opportunity or freedom to process the seed that was planted to produce the destructive behavioral harvest.  Therefore, we stay a prisoner, bound in that mindset.  Again I exclaim, not an excuse but a reason.

Women, I apologize for all the men who you have trusted in to protect, lead, or guide you that have used their positions to take advantage of you.  I believe it’s safe to assume, some have been relatives, supervisors, and unfortunately even clergy.  It is becoming more and more apparent that creeping compromise has been the snowflake which has rolled into an eventual avalanche.  This transpires when we men allow and rationalize deviant behavior to be our norm until it reaches pronounced levels before we are forced to admit, confront, and deal with it.  A position will not cure it, neither will a perception. 

You may be saying,

“If I can’t trust someone who is clergy, then who can I trust?”

Short answer, trust in God first and then trust the God in you (Psalms 118:8).  As I stated earlier, we have been conditioned to internalize and keep in isolation personal challenges that we are dealing with.  Why?  Mainly because of pride, and for reasons stated earlier.  Although it takes strength to go past one’s feelings to deal with shortcomings and weaknesses, ego (pride’s offspring) has caused most men to ignore or minimize deviant behavioral patterns and their impact on those they oversee.  Pride has even caused many of us to feel that we have the antidote to self-medicate.  At times, we men believe that we can “fix” ourselves thinking “we aren’t that bad off”.  Wow!  Even as I am writing this, I can remember situations and the times I had that same mindset.  Thank God for Spiritual Maturity!

As a husband and a father–who has a teenage daughter–I have seen the adverse effects that a hurt mindset can have on the maturation and leadership of a family.  It takes tenacity and a willingness to break the negative generational cycle for positive growth to take place.  I continue on that journey daily.  Is it easy?  NO!  But I and they are worth it.

Women, I pray that you accept this apology on behalf of all the men you have come across that may never personally tell you that they apologize for the way that they have treated you.  Some may still even feel that they did nothing wrong.   Well, I know through experience, learning and application that the victim always remembers.  That is one of the reasons I decided to write this open letter.  I pray that this serves as a formal apology to you, so that you can forgive us collectively, and those specifically, who have injured you mentally, emotionally, physically, or any combination of the three.  Learn to forgive.  Forgiveness does not mean that the other person is right; it just frees YOU to live.

I pray that you will choose today to start living at a ten!  You deserve it!

Aim High…

© 2012 Aldean Pearson

_____________________________________________________________________________

Aldean “Al” Pearson is a Professional Speaker, Trainer, and Growth Coach.  He is the Co-Founder of the LĪVE! movement, a speaking, training and coaching organization committed to developing extraordinary people, families, and businesses. His “up-front and candid,” yet at times humorous approach empowers his clients and audiences to look past their limitations to find the hidden gems of capability within. He is married with twin boy and girl. 
Contact: AlPearson1@gmail.com

Become Inspired! 
Join our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/AldeanPearson
Follow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/AldeanPearson
Connect on LinkedIn: www.Linkedin.com/in/aldeanpearson