Colin Taylor

                                                                            "Love First..Love Last..Be Legendary!"

                                                                                                  Colin Taylor                                                                                                               

I hope you're getting better everyday...in every way!  You may have heard that before and if so that's a beautiful thing. I say that because as easy as it is to feel beat down by what life throws at us on a constant basis, if you're still getting better in spite of it...you're closer than you were yesterday to realizing your dreams!    

Years ago I had the honor of serving this country as a Search & Rescue Swimmer in the US Navy. I only bring that up to point out one of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned in my life. Might just be the MOST VALUABLE LESSON in life, especially as far as securing you and your family's future is concerned.

To become a Rescue Swimmer, one of the tests my class HAD to pass was a timed  "buddy tow". Imagine yourself swimming while carrying a person on your back for a distance just shy of nine football fields...NO JOKE!  Somehow I got paired up with the human gorilla in the class. Don't let the pic fool you. Literally he was the biggest guy in the class, probably pushing a good 230lbs. Keep in mind I'm not the most bouyant guy in the world either.

I'm doing my best right, focusing as best I could on getting done on time, every muscle in my body aligned with the goal of achievement. But somewhere between total body pain and water I was taking in from going under and eventually resurfacing a few yards closer to the end, I started to realize something pretty grim. There was no one left from the class other me and the guy I was towing. "How the hell is this possible? This can't be right! How can I be the last one? I know I'm one of the stronger swimmers in the class! Did I fail? There's no way I'm gonna pass now."

All these thoughts came to mind and before I realized it I was looking straight up at about seven feet of water above my head! In the midst of all that doubt, fear, pain and angst I didn't even realize that I had literally stopped kicking. And with all that weight, I started sinking immediately.

I don't remember surfacing. What I do remember is that I decided to finish even if I hadn't made the time because for me I couldn't live with myself if I quit, even through all the pain. It still seemed like an eternity before I actually finished and to this day I still question if I even made time. The instructors didn't say. But I did end up becoming a Rescue Swimmer and the rewards have been greater than you can imagine.

In that one moment if I quit, my life would definitely be entirely different because of the chain of events that it sparked. A lot of places, people and things I would've missed out on. I wouldn't have been blessed to meet my wife of 10 years or have two beautiful daughters, a home and numerous successes to share with them. And when it comes down to it, they are who I do this for. And for anybody else with the faith, desire, drive and motivation to effect their families and loved ones in a truly impactful way.

Who do YOU do this for? Family, time, money, freedom? Whatever the reason is for you, all I can say is  DON'T EVER QUIT!!

Kinda ironic, the Search & Rescue Swimmer motto is...        "SO OTHERS MAY LIVE"  How wild is that?

Please feel free reach out and let me know exactly what I can help you with. I'm looking forward to you taking me up on that!

Peace and Blessings,

Colin Taylor

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