A Message of Perseverance w/Ferrari Content

mousecatcher · Jun 18, 2008

fantastic post.

also it does reinforce the ferrari image as having "arrived". not sure if i can agree with that, but certainly i find myself enjoying the sometimes guilty pleasure of ferrari.

Wolfgang5150 · Jun 26, 2008

awesome story!!! Glad to hear your wife is ok;
whatever happened to the guy that blew off the meeting?
kevin

Ferranki · Jun 30, 2008

WONDERFUL POST!

JDZNate · Jul 7, 2008

Great story, really moving.

BigTex · Jul 11, 2008

I'm trying to make that event, if my former gf will go.....hope to see you there!

Thanks for the great post.........like you I have been 'up' I have been 'down'.......'up' is better...

Glad you were granted some additional time with the love of your life, that's the Grace in the story to me.....everything else in life pales in comparison..

JOHNCJ8989 · Jul 11, 2008

Update.

I'm spending my Saturday "shopping". I'm going to be driving a 360, 355, 348, and a 328. I always thought my first Ferrari would fall into the 328 or 348 price range. Maybe I'll meet myself somewhere in the middle and land in a 355................. but there is this unexplained and undeniable dark force that is sucking me toward the 360 F1.....red...with shields.

It's my First Ferrari but hopefully won't be my last. I almost feel like I need to start out on the lower end of the scale and work my way up over time. To me... the best part is the chase...the thrill of dreaming, then hunting, and then buying.

I am going to shop long and hard before I pull the trigger. It could be a week.....it may be 6 months..... but it will be.

Your thoughts, concerns, maybe share your first buy experience with me?

Thanks

branko · Jul 12, 2008

A very well written, excellent and very inspiring story. Good luck in the hunt for your Ferrari.

GeorgeSSSS · Jul 12, 2008

Thank you for sharing your story of pain and inspiration and congratulations on your deserved success.

Jdubbya · Jul 12, 2008

Very inspirational story. We are often taught growing up to not toot our own horns and to not "flaunt" our successes, but if you don't who will? It reminds me of a quote I have read several times and that I just happened to run across again today (why does it seem to keep popping up on my radar??)....

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesnt serve the world.
Theres nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
Its not just in some of us; its in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
(Attributed to Marianne Williamson in her book, A Return to Love but used my Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech)

Congrats on the continued health and success, enjoy the new car whatever model you land in, and thanks for the post!!!

.

Helios · Jul 16, 2008

Wonderful story, John. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

Wonderful to hear about your wife's remission.

Please keep us posted on your Ferrari search.

All the best to you and your family!

jais · Aug 6, 2008

Great story. In this day and age it seems all we get from the media are stories about absolution of person responsibilities. It's nice to hear a story about someone hanging in there and making it happen. Keep us up to date on the search.

TG · Aug 22, 2008

REMIX said: ↑

Great story. I tend to feel there's a LOT of chance/right place/right time involved in your success, something not everyone has the benefit of no matter how hard they work, but great story nonetheless
Click to expand...

It's not about how hard you work, it's also about your values, focus and pointing yourself in the right direction. I'd rather be running on track than flying through space. My job now covers full-time hard work for a 1/5 of the work.

I believe he was the right person, in the right place, at the right time. Everyone has the potential to find themselves getting this benefit too, many just let life be filled with the opposing conflict first. Lastly, there is a lack of true efforts to change the cards dealt.. but to the ones who do.... !!!

Success is no accident. Success doesn't have luck. And nothing happens overnight.

A.J · Aug 23, 2008

Awesome & inspiring write up - thanks

Speed_Demon · Aug 26, 2008

Great read, really inspirational to me. Thanks.

cmparrenzo · Aug 28, 2008

John, Ferrari or not.... you are invited to attend the reception for Crescent Classic this year on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.

We have 52 cars attending, most are Ferrari's, so come over and meet some new friends and get a first hand look at your future car!

We look forward to seeing you at Crescent Classic!

Christopher M. Parr
Crescent Classic Chairman

913 271 4427

baxterripley · Aug 29, 2008

Wow..What a touching story...? This story proves that USA is the land of oppurtunity.congrats
----------
baxter
Internet Marketing
E mail : [email protected]

MarkoP · Aug 30, 2008

Hats off to you, I wish your story could reach more people. Unfortunately these life lessons rarely reach those who can learn from them. Enjoy your health, family, and accomplishments. You deserve it!

JOHNCJ8989 · Sep 2, 2008

cmparrenzo said: ↑

John, Ferrari or not.... you are invited to attend the reception for Crescent Classic this year on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.

We have 52 cars attending, most are Ferrari's, so come over and meet some new friends and get a first hand look at your future car!

We look forward to seeing you at Crescent Classic!

Christopher M. Parr
Crescent Classic Chairman

913 271 4427
Click to expand...

Christopher,

Thanks very much for the invitation. I am truly flattered! I had planned on driving through Eureka and taking a look at the gathering even though I am still Ferrari'less I've been so busy with the company expansion that I hardly have time to even scan the classifieds. But you know what....if it's spring before I pull the trigger..... the waiting just fuels the fire and will make the purchase even sweeter.

Thanks again!

charliebronson · Nov 20, 2008

Very inspiring story,

As I was reading it, I was thinking that I discovered your thread in a time where many of us need a moral boost. Thanks for your inspirational post and good luck with finding your ferrari.

-Peter Oh

ALPO · Nov 24, 2008

JOHNCJ8989 said: ↑

If moderators feel that ths should be moved to the off topic section feel free to do so.

I've been a member of Ferraichat for some time mainly as a lurker but have occasionally posted. I know that many members of this site are owners, and many come here due to their love of the Ferrari tradition. I know that there are many younger lurkers who dream that someday life will afford them the opportunity to be part of "the club".... not only because of their love for the marque but rather what the ownership represents. I'm not speaking in terms of snobbery or the "Hey look at me...I drive a Ferrari and you don't" attitude, but the idea that if one dedicates themself to their craft and makes hard work their priority, life will reward you and offer fruits for your labors.

I am 40 years old, have been married to the same woman since the age of 21 and have a beautiful daughter that is entering into her second year of college. You can do the math....yes I was very young when she came and quickly found myself juggling home duties in caring for her as well as trying to get through college and maintain a healthy marriage. In life you are constantly dodging bullets and given every reason to throw your cards on the table and just give up. My life was no different. Family illness and financial struggles made it impossible to finish school and get a degree so I applied and began attending the College of Hard Knocks. I dibbled and dabbled in different careers from stocking shelves, digging ditches, but I always did my best to self educate myself with the issues of the world with my eye on the ultimate prize that would someday manifest itself to me. I didn't know what, where, or how it would come...but I knew if I dedicated myself to a dream that someday I would at least be given an opportunity, I just had to keep my eyes open and recognize the opportunity when it came knocking at my door. I always remembers one thing, that without vision, opportunity could tap me on the shoulder and I would not be able to recognize it.

Eventually I was offered a job in the finance industry and in the early years was fairly successful. I felt at that point that maybe I had found my niche in life. Money was ok, my daughter was growing into somebody very special, then...in her mid-twenties my Wife was diagnosed with cancer. I won't go into great detail because I am sure many here have been affected by this terrible disease. Suddenly life had turned. My wife was undergoing treatment and was completely dependent on me for her needs...she could not even drive because of her negative reaction to the treatments. I worked 50 miles from my home and where my daughter attended school. So my days consisted of making my commute not once but twice a day to see that both were taken care of. As you can imagine my work suffered a great deal. There were times that I just wanted to give up...life was too much and there was no way out. Through prayer and dedication from a fantastic group of doctors my wife went into remission after 2 years of treatment. All of my other problems in life were small and no longer mattered because we had our health again. A year later my Mother.....who I was extremey close too, was diagnosed with untreatable cancer just as her and my Father were entering into retirement and dreaming of living there life on the lake. The dream house was designed and the lot was being cleared. 50 years of marriage and hard work was going to reward them..then on August 1, 2005 she was taken away. My world was devistated, my financial career was in shambles and without a degree I did not know where I was headed ...it was essentially the bottom for me.

After several months of wandering aimlessly, I decided it was time to make my own destiny because nobody was going to write it out and wrap it up in a pretty package and drop it at my doorstep. I had to suck it up and make life happen for myself and my family. One day while carrying out the office trash I bumped into a physician that occupied some administration space in our complex and made a point to introduce myself and make small talk. We discussed her practice...which turned out to be only one of many many practices she owned, and before long she began to open up to me. I could see on her face that the massive amount of responsibility had begun to take a toll on her and made a point to offer advise on delegation and creating a network support structure that would allow her organization to grow and operate more efficiently. Now imagine this.....I have no formal education and I'm standing here telling this woman how she should run her medical empire...I didn't know a syringe from a splint but here I am telling her how it should be done. One conversation led to another and soon she was coming to me for advise...and then.. BAM....A job offer. She asked me to be her Cinical Director for 2 of her practices. "U h yeah...I'll take it!"

After starting the job I caught wind of her and her operating partners plans for national expansion and parterships with various hospital systems and began offering advice to her on a personal level because I was concerned for her well being. By chance one morning...her main "vision guy" was unavailable and unable to attend a planned meeting. She had 45 minutes to get there to meet with her investors and needed her research material...which was nowhere to be found. So she grabbed me for moral support and said let's go. I had no idea where I was going, or who we were going to be talking to. When we walked in to this investment mega structure I could not believe what I was seeing. I has sitting with people...people who if I were to mention their names, some of you would know who they are. Intimidation does not begin to tell you what I was feeling. When the meeting came to order ...the Doctor had a major mental block and was speechless...so she pointed at me and said "John...lay out the vision"! WTF! HuHHHHHHH???????????????

Where my words came from... I have no idea...but they came...and long story short, the deal was sealed by the end of the meeting. After 2 months of employment I was moved from clinic director to VP and CEO as well as holding a seat on the board with an ownership stake. I felt as though I was handed a winning lottery ticket.

I kept my eyes open and when oppourtunity presented itself........ I had the vision to recognize it.

Those of you who frequent this message board and dream of someday being in a position where you could reward yourself.....never give up...NEVER. Work hard, dedicate yourself, respect your peers, and honor your elders. Keep your eyes open and maintain vision..so that when opportunity knocks You will be able to recognize it and grab hold.

After this occured I set my new list of priorities ..... make sure my families needs were met, then take my Dad shopping for a new bass boat so that he could enjoy his retirement in peace.

NOW...... its my turn. My life long dream of joining your club has finally become a possibility. I am in the market for my automotive love......no big secret..FERRARI. I hope to attend the Crecent Classic in Eureka Springs Arkansas this year in my new red mistress and share the passion that so many of you have had the opportunity to be a part of.

This message was not written to toot my horn.....it was to let people in here know that in this country ...anything is possible. Have a dream, plan that dream, enact that dream and spearhead it. Have no fear, be confident but not cocky. Maintain that vision and never , ever, ever give up! No matter what other people tell you. Surround yourself with positive individuals and learn from them. Learn from your mistakes...capitalize on your failures because they will turn into success.

God Bless.......and FORZA!!!
Click to expand...

Congratulations! Family, faith and hard work...good-luck with the quest for the Ferrari. I thoroughly enjoyed your story and wish you a good life and continued propserity. You are an inspiration )

The Ape · Dec 4, 2008

WOW!!! Im so glad I found this today. What a great post! I sure hope he waited to buy the car. 355 money six months ago is now 360 money.

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