FiredUp Letters - Section 4: Personal Growth
The following are letters which were received and published by Shad Helmstetter's The Helmstetter Report.
After reading the other letters from achievers, I felt I had to write.
Several years ago I was a mess. I had been agoraphobic for 22 years and could hardly leave the house. I had a small child that started asking why Mommy didn't want to go to the park or take him to the movies or friend's homes.
I felt my marriage was at an end and there were nights that I thought of ending my life. I prayed to God many times to help me and fix the problems, and I blamed Him too. Why did others seem to have it so much easier?
Then I met my neighbor and heard about the Plan. I signed up with the idea that even though I couldn't do this, but that my husband could. My upline loaned me books like "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" and "What you say Is What You Get".
After 5+ years I can say that I have changed so that people do not recognize me. I take pride in myself and have learned to love others, not fear them. Let me tell you that God often answers a prayer with a plan for change and tells you to get to work.
Share the Plan with everyone, don't judge by looks. You can help change, and maybe, save lives. I have found the joy in life again. Thank God for Amway and all those who don't give up the dream.
—M. H., Temple, Texas
Dear Shad,
I have been in the Amway business now for almost four years, and I can say that the business has helped me to crete dramatic changes in my life, to overcome the drugs, alcohol and pessimism that used to be an everyday part my life.
I personally had almost given up on ever finding anything that I could strive for that would be worth the effort of devoting myself to it and believing in it.
The business has changed my views on pretty much everything in life, and helped me to know that there still is a place where true success and achievement are valued and held in high esteem and where everyday people can achieve great success and accomplishment.
I never had the desire to get married before the business, and have now been married for over three years. My faith, belief, self-confidence and sense of accountability are the highest they have ever been.
Also, the Amway business has helped me to be a better employee and manager of my time and finances. I have stopped judging my ability for success against the failures and limited thinking of others. Anyone who might say the business only promotes materialism has never experienced the full picture of the business and how it helps people make positive changes in their lives.
—BGM & CMM, Chicago, IL.
Dear Shad,
Thank you so much for the 'PepTalk' letters. It's so refreshing to start the day hearing such encouragement and positive re-enforcement.
Most people allow the media at large to form their opinions for them, never realizing that positive affirmation and self-determination are choices. I would like to say that I just simply made a choice to be positive one day but it didn't happen that way.
Many friends in the Amway business helped me realize that if I wasn't where I wanted to be, I could change. But didn't just leave it at that. They accepted me where I was and introduced me to a system that would help me do what I could not do on my own.
Though far from perfect, my life has changed 180 degrees from drugs, alcohol and a marriage headed for failure. Funny how you can get in a business that give you so much, and at the same time, gives you the opportunity to give back — the opportunity to serve others.
—E. L.
To those of you who are Amway Distributors I salute you. To those of you who are checking this opportunity out, what this business can produce for you and your family is well worth the effort.
I have had the opportunity of being in this business for the past seven years and it has been the greatest time of my life.
There are many levels that you can attain in this business opportunity, but I feel the greatest of these opportunities is the ability of helping yourself grow to be a better person in life.
So, give yourself a chance and go for it. And forget about the naysayers because there are naysayers in everything that makes people successful. Always dream bigger.
—C. N., Michigan
As a U.S. Marine Vietnam Veteran, the group that I belong to has been an excellent support group for me. As I am able to trust and to love people again. I personally feel that this business has saved my marriage, my family, and probablely my life.
Semper Fi and God bless,
—K. K.
The changes that have been made in my life since joining Amway are incredible. The friendships and knowledge I have gained staggers my mind as it fills my heart.
There are so many of us out there who come into this business beat down in life and it takes us a long time to fight our way back up. For far too long we were led to believe that we didn't deserve better or that there wasn't anything better out there.
This business teaches us differently. It gives us back our dignity and pride that we so easily and carelessly gave away. I am still learning and have a great deal to learn, but I now know that there is an answer. If I were to receive nothing more than this, I have already received untold riches.
—L. B.
I wanted to let you know of the positive effects the Amway business has had on me personally. When we got in the business several years ago, my self-esteem was extremely low. I was so intimidated by other people, I could not go to the grocery store alone. I also could not go to parties or other such events where I would need to interact with people. I would have panic attacks. I also did not think people would like me.
Because of the business, I have overcome all of that. I have many friends who I can count on. I am much happier because I am so much more confident and comfortable with myself as a person.
Although we have not hit all our financial goals (yet), we have made money and the financial principles we have learned, such as getting out of debt, have been invaluable to us. We are confident we would not have learned these things if it were not for the business.
My husband and I have a stronger relationship, and we have common goals. We know where we are going, and we are having fun getting there! With so much negative out in the world at large, it is great to be around positive people who are uplifting and have our best interests at heart.
If the only benefit we received from the business were to be my overcoming my huge fear of people and increased self-esteem, every penny we have spent on books, tapes, and functions would have been worth it. But it has been so much more. We are very grateful our sponsor came into our lives. This business has been an incredible adventure!
—R.S., Felton, CA
I'm writing to say that I have been an Amway Distributor for 6 years. The quality of my life has improved tremendously, due mostly to the personal growth that you learn in this business. Even though it has created some good income for us, the personal growth has been the most valuable asset.
My wife and I are both teachers, but this business can be done in your discretionary time to the point where it will exceed your regular income. You'll want to at least have a distributor explain the concept to you. You have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain!
—V.T. and M. T., Pennsylvania
I am a one year Amway Distributor and I have to say it has been an educating and adventurous journey so far. You see, I am a very skeptical, stubborn, and independant 27-year-old looking for something better in life than the typical 45 year "work and retire" plan.
I joined Amway because it was the only business opportunity that would allow me personal business ownership that I could afford. The return on my investment has been priceless!
I have learned more about business, finance and personal growth by becoming involved as a distributor. I know that if I had not become a distributor I would have never learned this information.
The positive environment that my up-line distributors have created for me has dramatically improved my self-image, confidence and business sense. I was not looking for personal growth when I joined, I wanted the money! I never understood the importance of personal development until I got into this business. I appreciate the working values and the balance of both money management as well as personal management that one must have to truly be successful.
—R. M., Dallas, GA
