Free The Secret to Success by Eric Thomas Page A

you’re out in the streets an awful lot. It’s time to get serious Eric, I’m not playing anymore.” I wouldn’t admit it then, but she was right. De was pushing me towards greatness but I was scared to make a whole hearted attempt to reach it. I was purposely sabotaging my chances of succeeding and the momentum I had gained was quickly fading.

CHAPTER
9
Enough is Enough
    You will not experience all life has to offer you or begin to experience life at its fullest as long as you are satisfied with mediocrity. You have to be disgusted with your current circumstances before your circumstances can change
.
    You have to be smart enough to know when life presents you with a golden opportunity and you have to be courageous enough to take advantage of it. My relationship with De was that golden opportunity, but the pressure was mounting. My mother used to say there are two types of pressure- good and bad. Mom used to put it like this, “Pressure busts pipes, but it can also make a diamond. You’re a diamond.” Before De and I hooked up, the only pressure I experienced was the pressure to smoke weed, join a gang, sell drugs, and to lose my virginity to an absolute stranger.
    â€œEric, we need to talk,” De said in her I mean business voice.
    â€œAll right, but let me kiss that neck first. I haven’t seen my Boo in days,” I said, going in for the kiss.
    â€œStop playing, you play too much, you can’t be serious about anything can you?” she scolded.
    â€œWell, let me hold your hand at least.” I knew she was serious because her top lip curled up. I grabbed her hand and sat her down on the top stair of the porch. “Holla at me Boo; you have my undivided attention.”
    â€œDo you love me, Eric?” she asked.
    â€œWhat? Do I love you?” I asked, a little hurt. “What kind of question is that?”
    â€œDo you?”, she asked again with this weird look on her face.
    â€œYes, I love you.”
    â€œWell, I met with my school counselor today and she told me that I have enough credits to graduate on time.”
    â€œWow, Boo, I am proud of you.” (The fact that I had recently dropped out made her graduation even sweeter). “For real Boo I am proud of you.”
    â€œAre you really?” she said in a way that sounded like a question but it really wasn’t..
    â€œWhat’s that all about?” I asked, a little confused.
    â€œIt’s about our future. I am going to college, Eric I am not going to stay in State; I am going down south and I want you to come with me.
    You want me to come?” “You and I both know that’s not possible!”
    â€œIt is possible; all you have to do is go get your G.E.D. You think I don’t know Pastor Willis told you if you get your G.E.D. he would talk to one of his friends in the admissions department and see if he could get you in?” Immediately, my neck started to twitch—it was a natural reaction every time I got nervous. “I don’t know De. I don’t know.”
    â€œI thought you said you loved me? Do you or don’t you?” she tested.
    â€œWhat does me loving you have to do with you going to college? Hell, this is the first time you even mentioned the fact that you were going to college. What am I supposed to do? Just because you are going to college I am supposed to pack up my life here and follow you down south?” “Eric, what life? You didn’t finish school, you don’t have a real job; what life are you referring to—I thought I was your life? Let me put it like this, I am leaving for college in August, and I don’t plan on having a long distance relationship. So either we go together and continue our relationship or else.”
    Principle 11:
Just Do It.
    If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you always gotten. There will never be a perfect time or perfect situation in our life