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No Such Thing As
Impossible
From Adversity To Triumph
An Inspirational
Biography |
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Monday March 15, 2010 |
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FORWARD
Preface by Julio Melara, Entrepreneur, Publisher and
Author
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The
term, “The American Dream” was first used by James Truslow Adams in
his book The Epic of America, which was written in 1931. He states:
“The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be
better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each
according to ability or achievement.” Adams’ “American Dream” is truly
the spirit behind this book. Jairo Alvarez’s life is a great example
of someone who came to America and through the power of a dream
changed his life from rags to riches. But he didn’t stop there. His
love for God, family and others has helped him continue to grow and
shift his life from success to significance—even now in his 70s. His
life journey reminds us all of how faith, hard work, determination and
persistence can transform your life.
In this book, you’ll read about the struggles and
obstacles Jairo Alvarez overcame to reach his goals. His story will
inspire you to rid yourself of the negative and limiting mindsets that
are holding you back and start enlarging your vision, your dream and
your life. You’ll read how to rise above challenges and overcome
trials and adversity. After reading about his journey, you’ll
understand why there is “No Such Thing as Impossible.” Jairo’s life
serves as a model for that philosophy, and with this book he both
inspires and challenges you to rise above your circumstances. He is
living proof that when you want something you’ve never had, you have
to do something you’ve never done.
In the U.S. Declaration of Independence, our
founding fathers wrote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness." This is exactly what Jairo Alvarez has pursued
and achieved.
If you live in United States of America, no
matter what circumstances or challenges you are facing, anything is
possible if you believe and are willing to pay the price to live your
dreams. Too many people live their lives doubting and focusing on the
negative. No matter where each of us starts out on the socioeconomic
scale, we all have the potential (just like Jairo) for a prosperous
and fulfilling life if we take responsibility for our own success!
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Chapter 1
The trees offered little
comfort, but lying there was better than the alternative. I prayed
help would arrive soon as I drifted in and out of consciousness. Death
was still with me. This time, my alférez, the instructor who
had taught us so much.
He had been training us in the techniques of throwing
grenades. We gathered around as he lay down on the ground and showed
us how to pull the pin and throw the grenade over the hill. We stood
there, the anticipation palpable, as we waited for the explosion.
Instead, we watched him pull the pin and then accidentally drop the
grenade. He tried desperately to retrieve it, but couldn’t. We watched
in horror as he blew up right in front of us.
I stood there, numbly trying to comprehend what had happened.
After the bulk of his remains were put on a stretcher to be
taken to the city, we lined up in formation.
“Cadet Álvarez, get over here. Help me,” my lieutenant
shouted. I jumped at his command. I was the first in formation and the
tallest member of the platoon. “We’ve got to search this crater for
the remainder of his body parts to make sure we do not leave any.”
I carefully gathered my alférez’s teeth and bones and
flesh, choking as I tried to quash the bile that rose in my throat. I
wished I was back home, milking cows and feeding my mother’s babies. I
wanted to be anywhere but here, picking through weeds and underbrush
looking for my instructor’s body parts.
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Chapter 10
Later, I would marvel at how quickly
the brain can process information and sift through options. I had to
make a decision in the blink of an eye—a decision to survive in a
different type of jungle than the one in which I had been trained. To
agree was to commit treason against my motherland, my president. I had
vowed an oath to my country. But dying, I knew, would not serve my
country. They would simply get someone else to help them carry out
their plot. My body would be dumped in a vacant lot along that road so
filled with death, and no one would be the wiser.
“Excellent,” I said. “Count me in.” “Let’s celebrate
the fall of Dr. Lleras Camargo and the reign of our General Rojas
Pinilla,” another officer said, raising his glass high. “No more
business tonight. Let’s drink like
horses. Lieutenant Álvarez is the man.”
We shook hands, and they celebrated and plotted until
two in the morning. After each drink was poured for me, I escaped to
the restroom where I emptied half of my glass and tried to keep my
composure. Each time, I said a little prayer that I would make it
through this night. I knew I had to convince them that I was sincere,
that I would hand over my president, the man I had vowed to protect.
When they had their fill of drinking, I offered
to get myself a taxi. “No, we’ll drop you off a few blocks from the
battalion.” Several men jumped up to escort me to the car. I was
petrified because I was wearing civilian clothes and did not have a
weapon with me. I wondered if I was living the last moments of my
life. This was a test—a test of fire in which I had to face those
moments with courage and a calm demeanor. I could not show fear. They
would be able to smell it. In the heat of the fire, I could not sweat,
not as much as a drop. I walked faster so that I would be able to sit
in the front seat. I would feel safer there. I could lean back against
the door and watch the driver and the officers in the back seat.
It was only twenty minutes, but that trip seemed like
an eternity. I exhaled loudly as I realized we were going in the right
direction. They dropped me off, and I walked that final block to
safety feeling grateful that I was alive, but also filled with a sense
of trepidation greater than any I had ever known. When I finally
reached my room on the second floor, I broke down.
Dropping to my bed, I lay on my back with my
hands behind my neck staring at the ceiling. I went crazy in that room
that night. My head rolled weightlessly as my mind traveled circles
around what I should do. How did I get in this position? I cried
silently. The future of Colombia, of my president… the
future of my family, my friends, my Army, is in my hands. How can I be
responsible for another Bogotazo?
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Chapter 15
As I made my way through
Washington
Park toward the huge
statue of Moses, pigeons scattered, startled by the sounds of my footsteps
hitting hard against the pavement. Beautiful tulips of red and yellow,
interrupted by rows of trees, lined the promenade, and I inhaled their sweet
scent, remembering the first time I had come to this park. I had walked
through the northern entrance and had been impressed by the sheer size of
the Soldiers and
Sailors
Monument, a reminder to the
citizens of
Albany that once this country had
fought an intense civil war. The mansions that ran along
State Street across from
the monument were like nothing I had ever seen, the wealth of this country
displayed lavishly through their tall columns and grand styles. Marble
statues, one after the other, had led my way through the park as I walked
aimlessly taking in my new world.
Finally, a huge statue of Moses had drawn my attention, and I
had made my way toward it. His staff was held high as if he were still in
the process of parting the
Red Sea. I could imagine the Hebrews
hurrying through the parted waters, fearful that the sea would crash in on
them, but determined to get to the Promised Land. I had dusted off a nearby
bench to sit for a spell, listening intently to the soothing sounds of the
fountain beneath him. At every opportunity I came back, somehow fascinated
by the larger-than-life figure whose story had dominated my religious
upbringing. I could hear Mamacita telling me the story of Moses when I was a
young child. Moses represented strength to me, and I needed strength now.
“Good morning, Sir. How are you doing today?” I said to
him in English as I stood in front of him. “I am fine, thank you.” Passersby
stared at me as I talked to the statue. I ignored them. “Yes, I went to work
today, and the ladies were mean to me again.” I stumbled through the words,
checking my English dictionary to make sure that my pronunciation was
correct. “They laugh at me. I can’t tell you what they make me do because I
cannot say those words in front of you, Moses.”
Every afternoon I visited the park and Moses, determined that
I would learn to speak the language. Mr. Bogdan, the dean at the
Albany
Business
College, had refused me
entrance to the school because I could not speak English properly. I was
going to take advantage of the opportunity to further my education in
America, so I
practiced on Moses every day. Another man walking by gave me a funny look
when I asked Moses if his arm was tired. “I’m not crazy,” I said to the
man’s retreating back. “I know what I’m doing here.” And I did.
Understanding and reading English was somewhat easier than actually speaking
it because I had no one with whom I could talk. Teaching myself this
language in a country that was so foreign from my world was overwhelming at
times, but I was not going to let it get the best of me, even though
everything in my life had certainly changed.
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