This is my TAO… This is my Journey

I grew up in a small rural town in Jamaica, with no running water, no indoor plumbing, or utilities. Walking 17kms every day to attend school. Hiking for a km for firewood to be used as fuel for dinner after school. Walking 2 km to fetch water. This was considered to be normal and a way of life. During this time all my friends lived the same life and with no television to suggest otherwise I considered this to be normal.
Living in a small isolated community comes with its share of turmoils. As recent as November 2008 life as I knew it fell apart, because of a gang war. On a faithful November night a group of gunmen entered the community, they came with the intent to kill and destroy and that’s what happened. 5 of my friends and neighbours were killed and 9 homes were destroyed, mine being one of them. My family was fortunate enough to seek shelter hours before tragedy struck.  Nonetheless, when daylight broke we saw the devastation, and all of our earthly possessions were gone all in a blink of an eye.

For the first time in my life, I had experienced what it felt like to have absolutely nothing. Nonetheless, all of my family members were accounted for, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters- having the right people around you, the ones who truly love and support you.

That experience taught me that no matter what life throws at you it be can be overcome,  no matter how tough your life is. Always remember that with the life we have hope. We can hope that our circumstances change or we can use the opportunity we have today to change them.

Growing up in an isolated community taught me to be proactive, responsible, determined, and not to lose sight of what I could accomplish if I put my mind to it, even if the odds were stacked against me. Now I look at life with a high level of compassion and admiration.

Having a six-pack and a visible chest is not a necessity but being physically fit to perform duties that enhance your way of life is vital. We have to remember that being physically fit and healthy is a lifestyle and we can’t be complacent when it comes to our well-being.

I made a choice to start a journey. A journey to be healthy, physically fit, and mentally strong. Though most journeys can be uncertain, I am certain of the outcome of this one. I have prepared myself and acquired all the tools and knowledge I need: my mind, my body, and my spirit. This journey has granted me the opportunity to be happy, confident, self-reliant, and determined. This is my TAO.

Amando Campbell