[vc_row content_placement=”top”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Discover Your Potential” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%231e73be” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”By Louis Castro, PT, DPT” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1710170219828{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Download the article (pdf)[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Hispanic, overweight,
lonely, and insecure
from eight to sixteen,
I’m not sure?
The doctor said no more
rice or tortillas …
WHAT — are you serious?
We have to get your waist down.
Trying to fit in,
to find the right crew
growing up, juggling life.
No drugs, no alcohol,
just want to be accepted,
just want to be cool.
Always in trouble
At home, in class …
Parents always arguing
Who never finished high school.
Home was a war zone,
screaming, yelling, tears.
Damn alcohol takes
another family victim.
This war never ends.
Looked for any excuse to leave,
to escape the pain.
Oddly enough, alcohol
helped me stay sane.
10th grade, another test failed.
Another dozen visits
to the principal’s office.
Louis, what’s happening?
You’re going off the rails.
College? No way;
I didn’t know what it was —
Parties? Natural ice and drugs?
And residency? Grad school?
Pshh forget that shit.
Another test —Wait—89—
Woah, I passed?
Who is this?
Louis! Looks like you
might have a chance.
You were walking in the dark alone.
No lights, no path, no guide.
Until somebody helped you see
a bright light—a potential.
You had missed it. You were blind.
The small flame inside shines bright.
A soft voice helps you look and see —
remember why you’re alive!
Along the journey,
things challenge you —
a few bad chapters,
disappointments, bruises.
They do not define you.
It’s hard. You will fail,
but get up, you got this.
All that matters
is how you respond.
Each moment a new moment,
each day is a new day.
You define your attitude
based on what you say.
Adversity is scary,
but don’t be afraid.
One step at a time —
you’ll cross the finish line.
Celebrate small victories.
Eh! Drink some wine!
Challenge yourself.
Discover who you are.
Don’t give up, because
after every storm
sun and rainbows shine.
Just take a moment,
stand tall, breathe,
look in the mirror.
See how far you’ve come.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”author-about”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”About the Author(s)” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
