A couple of years ago, I was flying on a private jet to Nashville to see a show, go to dinner, and have a business meeting regarding some entertainment business. I had worked a full day at my office and headed for the airport, planning on making the trip and turning around that night to fly home. Due to the fact we were flying on a private jet, which was a part of my lifestyle, I had invited a couple of buddies, my assistant, and my girlfriend.
I was to meet a new client, and when we arrived, they had a limousine waiting for us right outside of where we had got off the plane. During that time of my career, I was working on military shows. Unfortunately, I was receiving a fair amount of descriptive death threats from all walks of life, because of the controversy of the Vietnam War, and the current war. In addition, to the business deal we were working on for the client he was trying to sell me on some bodyguards as well. A gentleman that I currently work with was with me on that trip and was amazed that my bodyguards went with me to the bathroom. At the time, this was a normal part of my life when we traveled with celebrities or anywhere that might be harmful to me. I never really gave much thought.
We had a great time in Nashville, the business meeting went very well, and soon we were in the limousine riding back to the airport were our plane awaited departure. I felt so successful as we flew back to Branson; I was having the pilots play roller coaster, a game I loved as my guests would scream. Basking in the feeling of having the world by the tail, everything at that moment seemed so right by my touch money would come pouring out of any project. What was I basing my success on? Was I successful because people sent planes for me to come see them? Was I successful because I had people who thought if Rob’s company is on board it will work? Maybe, it was due to the fact that the summer before we had an event that became a History Channel Documentary, gaining world exposure. Or perhaps it was I was fighting cancer and was still on top even with a colostomy? I just remember feeling powerful and extremely successful.
Looking back, I feel foolish! The reality was, I had a girlfriend who liked me in the hopes that I could make her a star. The business I owned had not found funding yet for a second homecoming event and I was fighting to keep the project alive. I had not been paid in over 6 months. I was always in fear someone would really follow through on one of those death threats, or that I might not survive colon cancer. My personal debt with medical bills exceeded $600,000.00.
What I needed was to get my ego in check. Women loved me because they thought I had power. I truly felt everything I had was deserved. Yes, I spent time everyday with God. I was in church every time the doors were open. I had grown a youth ministry program for the church from 3 to 25 youths attending regularly. I was running through the motions of trying to be successful yet spinning my wheels. How is it we get so out of alignment with reality? How do we get our self back on track without hitting rock bottom?
Cancer Survivor!
Great story!