Motivational Story - Tyler Perry (Actor, Writer, Producer, Director)

Greetings! This is a story that one day may change your mindset or further inspire your dreams?

This subject comes from a speech that was so riveting during the "People’s Choice Awards Show" (held in November, 2020).

This person who was recognized had won many other awards for his work. I had heard of his name but not his background. He had gone on to direct and produce many plays, feature films and TV shows including some for the Oprah Winfrey TV Network (OWN).

Meet Tyler Perry, who's story in life began where he had to overcome a traumatic childhood of parental abuse and molestation. He attempted suicide at age 12. At age 16, he had his name changed legally from "Emmitt, Jr." to Tyler to further distance himself from his family.

While he did not complete high school, he later went on to earn his GED. He worked odd jobs and lived in his car during his early 20’s. It was during this time period, he had watched an Oprah Winfrey talk show at work and was moved by an author’s description of how writing can have therapeutic effects? A career for him in writing was born out of the inspiration from that one single comment.

He began to apply himself and wrote a series of letters that turned into the basis for his first musical play titled “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” At the age of 22, Perry used the savings he had made from his work to move from New Orleans to Atlanta and begin the production of his musical play at a community theater. The play encompassed themes of forgiveness, dignity and self-worth and addressed issues he had faced with child abuse and his dysfunctional family past.

Perry said about that time: “When a seed is planted in the ground, all you can do is water it, you cannot control the sunshine, you cannot control the weather, and you cannot control what the locust’s would do when they would come to destroy it. All you can do is plant your seed in the ground, water it and believe.”

He credits his accomplishments of today to his faith and the fact that he would not stop believing that there was a better future he would make for himself? He encourages everyone he meets to “never despise small beginnings that can change the world.”

Know that Perry’s first musical was a financial failure, but he didn’t give up. During a second attempt to stage his play, he applied different marketing type strategies. The same play would sell out and even drew attention from investors. He kept persevering and over the next six years, Tyler would rewrite his musical many times over which began to gain a devoted following. That is how his career in theater and arts first took flight!

When Perry took the stage and honor of being chosen the 2020 PEOPLE’S CHAMPION AWARD, he told the story about needing to dig a Well outside his first house and how much trouble it caused him. That just when he was about to throw in the towel, the man he had hired finally hit the payload and found the water needed.

Why this particular memory to be told? Perry went on to state: "In this world, we're all digging Wells. In our lives, we're digging wells. We're digging Wells in relationships, where we put all this time and effort and energy and sometimes it doesn't give us what we need. We put all our time and effort and energy into dreams and business and it doesn't give us what we were after, but if you just keep digging—my God, if you could just hear me now—keep digging. You may be four inches away from every gift and blessing you ever wanted in your life.”

My jaw was dropped to the floor as Tyler was stating all this on LIVE TV. He further added: "Had I given up when I was homeless, sleeping in my car, hungry, had I given up these people that you see on the screen right now, they wouldn't be part of my dream. There are people tied into your dreams and destiny, and you're worthy of getting to your goal. Keep digging. Don't stop.”

Then he concluded his speech with these words: "Let me tell you something. When you get there, to that water and see it coming and know you have what you need, this is what I want you to always remember—make sure that everybody you run into meets you at your worth. Make sure people meet you at your worth. I love you. God Bless You!"

Each of us has the Will to make what we want from our life. Go out and live with no regrets! 

Jim Loria