From Homeless & Hopeless to Empowered & Determined: How the Seven Keys to Success© Changed a Life

By: Easierbetterlife.com
 
DENVER - Oct. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Denver, CO -- Darik Hall came from a broken home where his single mother struggled to make ends meet.  At the age of 16, Darik began using drugs and dropped out of high school.  With limited education, he worked as a seasonal employee.  He eventually became a father, but because of his unemployment and drug use he lost custody of his son.  Darik knew something in his life had to change but didn't know what to do.  He moved to Casper, Wyoming looking for a new start, but ultimately ended up living in homeless shelters with his wife and new daughter.  Darik describes this period of his life as dark and desperate.  "Everywhere I turned I saw hopelessness, frustration, and anger.  I felt stuck, like there was no way out," he says.

In 2009, Darik's son, Austin, mentioned that his class was learning about the Seven Keys to Success©.  Austin's school was participating in a new pilot curriculum designed to teach children and families how to succeed.  As months went by, Darik noticed both of his children become more and more excited about what they were learning in school.  Darik attended the program's parent training at the school and says, "I knew within five minutes after the speaker started talking that the decision my wife and I made to come to this training was the most important decision we had ever made.  It was a turning point in my life as I learned about the importance of Key #1: Having a Positive Attitude."  Darik had heard about the importance of attitude his entire life and remarks that "Grown-ups always tell kids to change their attitude.  I had no idea how much power a person has when they know what attitude is, how to control it, and keep it positive all the time."

Darik and his wife, Jennifer, immediately started implementing what they had learned about maintaining a positive attitude at that first training.  They applied it when they communicated with each other and when they spoke to their children.  "It made me feel different, not just in my head, but everywhere.  I felt healthier, I had more energy, and I felt good even though we had a lot to feel bad about," Darik said.  "At that point in time, neither my wife nor I had a job and we didn't have a home.  But after that training we wanted to learn more.  We both started thinking about how it would feel to no longer be homeless.  We both signed up for classes that we hoped would help us find full-time jobs."

Jennifer has now completed a nursing assistant program and Darik is currently two semesters away from getting an Associate's degree in electronics.  They have both secured full-time employment and now, for the first time, the Hall family lives in an apartment and not on the streets.  Additionally, Darik has now been sober for 9 years and, in August, Darik was able to obtain full custody of his son.  Austin, who was in the third grade when the new pilot curriculum  started, spent a lot of time in the principal's office.  Today, his principal describes Austin as a leader and role model at the school.  Darik attributes the success of his family to the principles taught in Your Path to An Easier and Better Life, which explains the Seven Keys to Success© and is the basis for the school's pilot curriculum.

"Learning the Seven Keys has changed everything about our lives. It gave us hope," Darik says. "Anyone, I mean anyone, regardless of age, race, or economic boundaries can learn these keys.  You don't have to wait to see results.  You see results the second you use them.  You see positive changes in yourself and the people in your life the minute you start using them."

Darik's situation is certainly not unique.  With the current prevalence of drug use, unemployment, poverty, teen pregnancies and births to unwed mothers, the family is under assault and consequently in decline.  The principles taught in Your Path to An Easier and Better Life teach people the tools necessary to rise above their circumstances and take personal responsibility and ownership of their lives.  While the keys in the book can apply to any individual, the book is written as a how-to guide for families to help them implement the keys in their collective lives.  As Darik Hall puts it, "I believe we could change this country if families and kids could just spend a few hours learning all the keys.  It's the best thing anyone could ever do for their family."

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About the Author Judy Zerafa

Judy Zerafa is a best-selling author, motivational speaker and founder of the GO FOR IT! Institute.  Her first book, Go For It!, was a bestseller for seven years on Publisher's Weekly.  Over the past 35 years, Zerafa has focused her work on teaching others the Seven Keys to Success Life Program©.  Zerafa is an international speaker who has reached over 400 audiences and has been extensively interviewed by media including the TODAY SHOW and The Washington Post.  Her latest book, Your Path to An Easier & Better Life, is designed to teach the Seven Keys as a step-by-step process families can use to improve their education, relationships, and jobs. The Keys from the book have been implemented in partnership with the Go For It! Institute, a non-profit foundation, as a curriculum designed for grades K-8.  Your Path to An Easier & Better Life ($15.95 by Go For It! Partners, ISBN 978-0-615-84816-7) is available on Amazon or by visiting www.easierbetterlife.com.
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Source:Easierbetterlife.com
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