Well, I've been on Steemit for a few days now and I find it incredible that I can speak freely and get paid for doing so. I also now see it as a therapeutic platform where I can tell the world who I am and feel relieved knowing it will be read. So, here we go:
My name is Stefano. I was born and raised in Miami, Fl but my family is all from Lima, Peru. I was raised pretty spoiled until the age of 16 where a nasty divorce among my parents led to a deportation and I was suddenly without a father in the states. My spoiled life took a massive turn and I was now forced to work 40 hours a week at Moe's Southwest Grill (Welcome to Moe's!) and give the entirety of my paycheck to my family.
I learned the value of money, I learned the value of family. I worked hard and stayed humble and after much encouragement and motivation I pursued a degree at Florida State University. Granted, I had no money, but thanks to this wonderful country I was able to obtain scholarships, financial aid, and out loans so school was covered as long as I kept my determination going.
I eventually became a manager for Moe's and after a few years, I found another job where I was responsible for the promotion of a cigarette product. This was mostly done at home so I had a lot of free time while I got paid. But I became greedy. I dove into the world of drug dealing. It was a phenomenal 2 years. I was getting paid close to $2000 weekly on top of my income. I had done it. I had everything I wanted. I bought giant, inflatable pools I would use only twice. I bought extravagant meals nightly. I would send $500 weekly to my mother and beautiful twin sisters to help. Life was great, I had everything. Except a moral perception.
I eventually was caught, arrested, tried, and was left on probation. I had no job ( near the end of the 2 years, I quit my day job due to not needing it), no money, no house (no contact warrant with my roommates), and my amazing girlfriend, Allison, by my side. I was at 0. I was less than 0. Student loans were still owed, car payments, rent, now I needed to worry about lawyer fees, court costs, etc. I was in trouble.
I turned to alcohol, I turned to religion, I turned to 80 hours a week with two part time restaurant dishwasher jobs. I traded my car for a scooter. I shared a 1 bedroom efficiency with my beautiful Allison. I was once again reminded that I am not untouchable. Life was once again sending me a reminder to change myself, and reminding to be humble.
This time, I listened.
I worked hard. I became a manager again. I followed my probation rules strictly. I kept my head down, pushed forward. I found a career and I begged them to look past my charges, and they did. I now am a Customer Service Specialist. I work cryptocurrency and invest my money. I live in a two bedroom house with, you guessed it, my beautiful loyal girlfriend Allison. I have a Fiat 500 which I've named "Baby Blue". I write for two sport podcasts and co-host on one of them.
I am not gloating, nor looking for an applause. I just want to show you that it is easy to forget. It is easy to lose your morals. Life changes, and it definitely gives you what you put in. I was spoiled rotten and was left with nothing. I was a very successful drug dealer and was left with nothing. Do not forget who you are. Do not forget to stay humble. Do not forget to work hard for what you want. And always, ALWAYS, remember those who were beside you during the tough times. I love Allison very much. I'm so grateful I had someone by my side during the good and the bad and I will never leave her. Wedding bells are in the near future, I just need this crypto market to work with me here so I can buy a nice ring!
So there it is. A spoiled, narcisstic, ex-felon (everything is now expunged, hooray!) who was able to see through the darkness and find the importance of love, humility, and effort. Bad decisions do not determine the type of person you are. How you overcome your consequences and persevere from them does.
My name is Stefano, and this is my story.
