brad garland

This was a little team building exercise I’ve done for a couple of different groups.  We did it again today for my company.  It’s a little creative writing project where you write a monologue that includes references to your life and start every sentence with ‘I am from…’. Include family, places, and values that make you you.  It’s a great exercise and something that I encouraged my team to really stretch themselves to do. It’s can be very emotional & I encouraged my team to share it with those they love.  Here’s mine as a example, enjoy:

I am from… a children’s hospital in Richardson, TX.

I am from… a west texas cowboy (dad) & an Air Force kid (mom).

I am from… Germany & the Cherokee people.

I am from… a simple little neighborhood in Garland where as a boy I had a many late summer night with neighborhood kids with our parents wondering where we were.

I am from… a generation of selfish, arrogant, entitled minds.

I am from… an athletic family where you receive no charity points no matter your size.

I am from… a move to the country that was a former dirt bike track.

I am from… a father that worked more than he played when I was a kid.

I am from… a mother that took care of us, gave up her dreams for us, and never held it over us.

I am from… all types of music, sports, and people.

I am from… a few really close relationships where authentic feelings, fears, and problems are revealed.

I am from… being emphatic to people & will use my humor as a way to downplay feelings.

I am from… a wild yet successful attempt at college.

I am from… a wife that cuts through my crap, supports my failures, and is the immovable force in our family.

I am from… 3 daughters who have already taught me how to love all over again, taught me how to pray, and understand that my actions truly have ramifications.

I am from… a “I can do this” mindset when realized I’m as smart than those twice my age or with twice my years of experience.

I am from… technology, security, and banking.

I am from… making the ugly beautiful, or the complex simple.

I am from… spiritually abusive upbringing but God didn’t lose sight of me & brought me back to Him years later.