Mike Taylor –Member 1967 USC National Champions and 1st Round draft pick 1968 Pittsburgh Steelers and Kevin “James” Richardson
When I finally made the decision to commit to the process of writing my first book, I had no idea where this road would lead. I first set out to make this a living journal of sorts for my family first and close friends to understand who I am—from where I’d been. But it has evolved into something so much more than that. This has been the toughest challenge of my life. I’ve had to peel back the layers of my soul to expose what I might hope to find. I knew I was searching for answers, but I had no idea what discoveries would be unveiled. Would I find what my heart had been longing to discover for so long; along the path of this philosophical, spiritual journey? Or would I be lost to the answers that I was seeking from chasing a mystical pot of gold at the end of some elusive rainbow? What I found was so very much more than I’d ever imagined. The combination lock that had constrained my life and had held my soul imprisoned in the shadows of darkness, had finally clicked, falling into place—releasing the compensating bountiful rewards of the Universe and its abundant Creator. What a ride!
As the years of my life began to play forward from my young adulthood; a benchmark when I’d felt my future was secure, I found that I’d become lost in my life’s wake. There would be times when I’d pause – and reflect on my life’s path. It was very much in the same way that we all gaze into the rear view mirror of our lives from time to time. This reflection was always so bitter-sweet for me. What was happy always became sad. A profound new beginning always seemed to end in failure. Why did it always turn out this way? I couldn’t understand. Why did I keep ending up in the same vicious, disappointing circle of life? I was conflicted, confused and allowed the fear of uncertainty to gain a stronghold over me from my perceptions of what negative occurrences may result from my actions. I wanted good to come from all that I did. It felt like I was always second-guessing myself and allowed the insecurity of the unknown to stifle my every move.
I’d always believed deep down in my heart, that one day, this mentally reflective and often emotionally jarring, disruptive traverse—which always peered deeper and deeper into my mind and soul’s cavernous wilderness; would eventually yield this wonderful labor of love. This immeasurable feeling would gracefully find its way from my heart and into my head and then down to my hands and onto my computer’s keyboard. It was there, that the creative magic would transform itself into an expression of my life’s personal experiences. Upon arrival, it would finally perform as my measure of “giving back”.
We all go through life with our own set of trials, tribulations and heartache which are commonplace to us in our world condition of choices and their resulting experiences. We are all a functioning cog in this great wheel of humanity that we experience day in and day out. None of us are immune to its pleasant, sometimes euphoric journey, or its dismal—dark abyss of despair and pain. It’s the adversities that we face and how we endure them, with our deliberate and determined perseverance, which ultimately become the true test of our inner strength. This diligent perseverance will finally define our character and whether we will move on to face the challenges of life’s glorious race; or keep us pinned to our seat in the stands on game day, just hoping that we get in the game.
I’ve been immeasurably blessed to have shared in many joyous and wonderful experiences of my many life’s lessons. The loving care of my parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, teammates, housemates, friends and those unsuspecting strangers living in this human element of ours which would pass my way as I’ve traveled ever onward in this sojourn of life.
Life is about the relationships from which we learn and grow. That is, if we only pay attention to the details of their enriching lessons. The experiences of friendships from those special bonds we recognize from those many special times and relationships always seem to find their way back into one’s own heart; especially when those many different situations and unexpected circumstances arise. But yet, somehow we persevere; moving onward in our own path of seeking knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment.
We may hear a familiar song or a specific sound. Or there may be the definite smell of a freshly mown lawn or the cheerful, uncontrollably, exuberant laughter of a young child while being tickled by a loved one. The siren’s wail, as it races to aid in a cry for help. It may be the early spring scent of a cherry blossom with its sweet, subtle, aromatic fragrance; or even the stillness—from the sounds of silence. These all seem to trigger some special everlasting memory. These are all personal reference points that manifest those deep seated emotions that affect our attitude and how we live our lives.
When the light you see fades to black – as day turns into night – and if you feel that you may not see the light of day again; “Commit-To-Believe” that you will – because day will always follow the night… It’s Universal law.
As one of my former teammates from my old DAWG DAZE said to me recently in one of our conversations, while sharing in some of those special old memories; he related this to me:
“Hey Kev, you’re still standing brother. You need to tell your story so others can too.”
Thanks Doug, you were right. So, with that advice , I invite you—whether you’re a parent, CEO, coach, manager, teacher, truck-driver, student, doctor, athlete, lawyer, technician or whatever vocational path that you may follow to find your life’s work; to take a walk with me now through these pages, born from my own personal frame of reference and discover for yourselves how tragedy becomes gain. How anxiety and despair become hope. How failure turns to victory and how adversity becomes an inspiration in your life as others will be inspired by you, too. So come on. What are you waiting for? Let’s take a walk to remember together as I share with you the intimacy of my great walk — A Beautiful History. It’s time for life’s next step! Are you ready?
