“What we get in life often has a greater impact than what we miss.” 

– James Sarvis

Many of us may feel like we didn’t get as much from our home lives as we should have. Maybe you feel like life dealt you an unfair hand because mom or dad were absent, or maybe you are a single parent left to raise children on your own. But the silver lining here is that the leaning moments we get in life could have a much greater impact than what we missed out on. I have seen where one Leaner can make all the difference in building that solid foundation that a person needs to grow.

I came across this story that is the perfect example. In an interview on NPR.org with Jarrett J. Krosoczka, the author and illistrator of the popular Lunch Lady series, he says that his childhood was not idyllic. He did not know his father, and his mother was on drugs and couldn’t raise him. Clearly he missed out on living in a home with a loving mom and dad, but his grandparents raised him. He says that they gave him unconditional love, and that “they were his parents.” According to Wikipedia, he uses the “J” in his professional name as a tribute to his late grandfather, Joseph.  My definition of unconditional love is a person that never stops leaning to you. Jarrett’s grandparents were his Leaner’s and they produced a Leaner. So, it is not who you are, but what you do that counts most.

George Strait is another example. He is considered one of the most ”influential and popular recording artist of all time.” I love this story because, although his parents divorced when he was in fourth grade, and his mother moved away, George was able to flourish living with his dad and brother, going to their ranch in Texas on the weekends. George had an accomplished career in the limelight, and was able to maintain a life of integrity through it all. Which affirms to me that he had a strong foundation. He may have missed out not having his mom, but his dad was a dedicated Leaner to George and produced a great Leaner.

What we get in life often has a greater impact than what we miss.

We would love to hear your stories. Do you or someone you know have a similar story? Did one Leaner step up and make a difference in your life? Or, are you the Leaner stepping up? Let us know in the comments.

These articles are co-written by James and Elisha, based on the books and work created and founded by James