Nothing Special

By Vincent Vargas

I get nervous sometimes that I’ll be a role model to others.

Even that sentence makes me feel like an asshole.

I just don’t want to let anyone down.

But despite that fear, I have come to the realization that my path in this life is to help others. Help others transition from active duty. Help my family and kids have a better life. Put myself out there to help others feel comfortable.

I do it willingly, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

I’m nothing special. I’m a man with insecurities just like the next.

I’m not a great man, but I try to be a good man.

And like any man – good or bad – I fail.

Often.

But I bounce back.

Life isn’t easy. Obviously. One photo on social media doesn’t reflect the hundreds of hours working your ass off to get to that exact moment. The funny thing is, when we reach that specific moment we want to capture, we immediately falsify it through filters, enhanced lighting, etc.

That’s why when I post a selfie with my wife, I also post the other 37 pictures it took to get to that point.

THAT is the real shit. THAT is life. The highs, the lows and all the bullshit in between.

Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter whether I’m viewed as a role model or not. In fact, there’s a lot of shit I’ve done that I hope anyone reading this never does!

I guess the point of it all is to just keep going. Keep trying. Keep moving. Keep failing.

As long as you keep moving forward, that’s all that matters.

I hope I can live up to the person you think I am. I am sure I’ll fall short, and you won’t agree with me from time to time. But the fact is I’m just a dude trying to get through life and leave a legacy behind for my kids to appreciate.

I am you, living breathing, failing and insecure…

I am you, winning, growing, learning and doubting…

We can and will get through it…

#IMakeItWeMakeIt

This sentiment is honest. This is what I envision.

If I make it, we all make it. Why? Because we are all the same. Same opportunities, same issues, same insecurities. We just have to keep moving.

When I “MAKE” it, we all do. I can hire more, I can inspire more, and I can open more doors and hopefully bridge more gaps.