Who is John Gregory?

I've been thinking a lot lately about rebranding my blog (or creating a new one) and working on more video sharing and possibly creating a YouTube channel, podcast, or using more videos via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. to find ways to share and add value to others.  But one of the first questions they ask when you're starting a blog or channel is what do you want to name it or what will your topic be.  So I began asking myself these questions:

• What do I like to talk about?  
• What do I like to take pictures of?  
• What do I want to share with people? 
• How can I help or inspire people?
• What could I teach someone?
• Basically, what do I like and what am I good at?

It was these simple questions that led me deeper to who is John Gregory?

Sometimes we discover who we are by marking off the things we're not.  I'm not a highly educated man with a Masters, PhD or MBA.  I'm not filthy rich.  I'm not a politician.  I'm not a multi-business entrepreneur.  I'm not really an "expert" in any particular field.  I don't have a niche. 

But I'm not a nobody.  To my wife and kids, I'm a husband and father - hopefully a great one, but probably just slightly above average.  To my parents, I'm a son.  To my hometown, I'm a resident, a taxpayer, and a volunteer.  To my church, a teacher, deacon, and committee member.  To my boss, I'm a valuable employee (hopefully).

I can't come up with a phrase, a name, or a single topic.  And maybe I'm not supposed to.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians that he became a servant to all, a Jew to the Jews, weak to the weak - he became all things to all people.

I can't do everything and I don't know everything (bet I just moved up a notch in the husband rankings with that comment).  But I can share with you the things that I am good at and passionate about.  

Faith - I'm passionate about my faith.  Maybe you are too, maybe you're not.  But that's how I roll.  I won't make you memorize scripture or beat you over the head with a Bible, but I will live my life in a way that honors God because I believe it leads to a more fulfilling life in the end.  I'm certainly no theologian, but I love finding stories in the Bible that have good real-world practical application to help us get through life.

Finance - I majored in business and have always loved numbers (and money, but we all like money).  And working at a bank, I'm exposed to it every day.  I get to see people in many different financial situations and help people and businesses find solutions.  I've learned from my financial mistakes and the mistakes of others so there are some useful tidbits of information in my head that could help people.

Fitness - I'm not a personal trainer or coach.  I don't have any degrees or certifications.  But I've been working out for over 20 years with various goals and for various sports.  Again, I'm not an expert, but I know a thing or two.  And deep down, most of us just need some motivation and inspiration - there are a ton of free workouts and diets online if you're willing to put in the work to stick to them.

This could be my "light bulb" moment if I wanted to name by blog something about the Three F's.  But 'F' just has such a negative connotation to it, be it a failing grade or a bad word.  So as I continue to gather the courage to work on new ways to share, teach, and hopefully inspire, bear with me.  Who knows...maybe one day I'll have a freakin' awesome platform (that sounds so professional).

P.S. - I'm not writing this seeking pity or affirmation or anything like that.  I'm in a good place (that's why I want to share and help others).  But I'm sharing for two reasons:  

1. I believe that honesty and vulnerability are key to being successful.  You can't try to help others or "make it" when you're not being true to yourself.
2. Maybe someone else feels like they're on the verge of something great or stuck in bit of a rut.  And perhaps seeing someone else work through that too will help them out.

There are many different roads that lead to happiness and success.  If you like highways, take them.  If you want the interstate, take it.  If you prefer backroads, take them.  Maybe you're going at a different speed and maybe your arrival will be a different time from someone else.  But you know what, you'll get there when you get there.  And as long as you find your happiness, don't stress about everyone else's arrival time.  

I'm still working on who I am.  Maybe you are too.  And that's okay.  Best of luck discovering who you are...but more importantly, who you can become!