My name is Donald January, Jr. Some of the things that I enjoy most: family, reading, philosophy, combat sports, watching stand-up comedy, increasing my understanding of the spiritual world and the laws that govern it, and if it’s not already obvious… writing.

My path to sharing my perspective and experiences with you was not a common one. I grew up in the same rural coastal Louisiana town with a population of about 1,000 where my father was raised. My first home was an old single-wide trailer on a dead-end street. The generation before mine on the other side of my family came up out of the inner-city of Houston, Texas. In my lifetime, I have had many experiences – both good and bad, wonderful and horrible – that molded me into the man who you now see.

I know what it is to live in poverty. I have also had the pleasure of living without financial stress. I have seen my friends and family incarcerated and have their lives taken. I’ve also seen my friends and family receive degrees and achieve astronomical success in their respective fields. I witnessed the death of my father when I was 18 after watching his health deteriorate for most of my teenage years. My first real career required me to leave my life and family behind as I enlisted in the submarine Navy. For many years, I sulked and wondered about my repeated misfortune, “Why me?” Today, however, I look at my life and all the positivity surrounding me and wonder, “Why me?”

The shift in the way I viewed myself and my life came after many years of trial and error in my pursuit of happiness. The solution that kept my head above water and my eyes on the prized life that I knew I deserved was a simple change in mindset. Once I realized that all these variables that were beyond my control were wearing me down, I did what was necessary to take hold of the one thing that I could possibly have total control over: myself. In my writings, I share my experiences, pass on wisdom, and I will encourage you to conquer all those variables in your own life that may be holding you back.

Creating a better world and leading a peaceful existence is not as hard as many might believe it is. I assure you that as you learn and implement the principles that are among the lessons that I share and apply them consistently, you will understand how to create the life that you deserve while being happy in your own skin.

It’s not about how we start; how we finish is most important. Let’s grow together.