CHAPTER 1

The Values in the Trio

"A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is meaningful. Whether we are consciously aware of them or not, every individual has a core set of personal values. Values can range from the commonplace, such as the belief in hard work and punctuality, to the more psychological, such as self-reliance, concern for others, and harmony of purpose."

— Roy Posner

"Values are those things that really matter to each of us ... the ideas and beliefs we hold as special. Caring for others, for example, is a value; so is the freedom to express our opinions. Most of us learned our values — or morals, if you prefer — at home, at church or synagogue, at school."

— Lewis Orans

Values within the Trio are the good inside you that are instilled from birth. It is the self-revealing, self-sacrificing commitment to a higher, more perfect way of life; it is good to one's self and to others because it produces an unexplainable attraction.

Values, or the lack thereof, are a rare and powerful source that can unify or bring down nations. Values are the core essence of unity between the Alpha and the Omega of the internal being. In other words, it is the start and finish of whom one is. With values, one can go far, but without values, one will be diminished, devalued, and ultimately dissolved.

There have been many great individuals with phenomenal vision and versatility, but because of their lack of values, their talents were limited. Just think of some of our former greats in boxing, sports casting, politics, and entertainment. They were elevated and put in places where their character could not keep them. The primary reason was their lack of values.

When uncovering and discovering one's element, it is vital that one adhere to values that will promote the common good; it preserves you and the ones around you. Many times, when we discover this element, we are not able to sustain its power and authority because we lack implementation of the Trio in our daily lives.

Values are slowly diminishing in modern society; it has taken a backseat to mediocrity and compromise. The values of our great country have whittled away to idealistic secularism, which has brought into play the adage, "Each generation will be wiser, but yet weaker."

We must maintain our values so that we can maintain our strength; we must do this so that we are not at a stagnant holding point. If we become stagnant, we will create a void that no earthly possession will be able to fill. We will fall from the strength of the original supernatural element.

Has society begun to overlook our fundamental core principles of values, vision, and versatility — the Trio that was built from the Word of God?

Values are the key to dispelling myths, eradicating half-truths, and quieting naysayers. Values can heal a nation ruled by hatred and greed; they serve as the common denominator of hope to answer the plaguing questions of economic despair, moral decay, and worldwide ills.

Values embrace the good and are the primary arterial source to the survival of the Trio in one's life.

The two main values instilled in me from birth are perseverance and determination. The core essence of the man I am today was strategically and deeply rooted in me by my parent's values; they were two loving, hardworking people who exemplified the worth of a good. Among the many exceptional values they instilled, one particular saying comes to mind, "Anything worth having is worth working for."

My parents exemplified unbiased love and value in life. My mother and father always displayed love — whether you were a guest or a relative, a person at our house was always treated with the utmost respect and welcomed as one of the immediate family.

Although my mother had several bouts with breast cancer, she remained the major support system for our family. Despite days that were not always sunny, my mother continued as the anchor of support for her husband and her children. She continued to offer support and words of encouragement that shaped and molded the element within me. She persevered so that she could have a successful family. She was an example of sacrificial love and perseverance.

My father exemplified determination; he instilled this value in me with his endless talents and unwillingness to settle for mediocrity. My father worked on projects for countless hours and was never satisfied until the work was completed properly. He said, "Do things right the first time so you don't have to go back a second time." It is amazing how, subconsciously, this refined value is implanted within me. It surfaces at special, appropriate moments that bring me a deep appreciation for my parents.

CHAPTER 2

The Vision in the Trio

The second segment of the Trio is vision. This segment plays a significant role because it illustrates the significance of the power of visualizing one's own potential for greatness.

Dr. Edward Watke Jr. defines vision as "divine perspective, divine wisdom, divine insight, and illumination." It has been said that vision is getting on your heart what God has on his.

Vision plays a significant part in the Trio because it clarifies one's true purpose and sheds light on an individual's internal element. This internal element starts with core values that ultimately help realize a person's vision.

Dictionary.com defines vision as "the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be: prophetic vision; the vision of an entrepreneur.

3. an experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine or other agency: a heavenly messenger appearing in a vision.

4. something seen or otherwise perceived during such an experience: The vision revealed its message.

5. a vivid, imaginative conception or anticipation: visions of wealth and glory."

Observe what many well-known individuals have had to say about vision:

"The man doesn't make the vision; the vision makes the man."

— Pastor Yonggi Cho

Many times, the vision segment of the Trio is one of the most complicated parts due to one's lack of understanding of its power. Oftentimes, individuals are manipulated into thinking that another person's element is his or her own.

"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision."

— Anonymous

There are several publications and websites to help you establish and realize your vision. Susan Heathfield wrote an article entitled "Achieve Your Dreams: Six Steps to Accomplish Your Goals and Resolutions", which focused on these six steps:

1) You must deeply desire the goal or resolution.

2) Visualize yourself achieving your goal.

3) Make a plan for the path you need to take to achieve the goal.

4) Commit to achieving the goal by writing it down.

5) Establish times for checking your progress on the calendar.

6) Review your overall progress regularly.

"So many of our dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable."

— Christopher Reeve

There may have been times when close friends, family, or associates approached you with an idea that, in their minds, seemed to be the perfect opportunity for you. After speaking with them — convinced by their passion and excitement — you begin to put time and energy into an opportunity that does not complement the true strengths within your element.

"A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more."

— Rosabeth Moss Kanter

One's vision and decisions will always agree with God's plan before it materializes. Dawson Trotman said, "Vision is getting on your heart what God has on His." Do not try to realize another man's vision for you — try to realize God's vision of you. Agreement with God always makes the vision easy to accomplish and makes doubt nonexistent.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."

— Proverbs 29:18

"For leaders, a vision is not a dream; it is a reality that has yet to come into existence. Vision is palpable to leaders; their confidence in and dedication to vision are so strong they can devote long hours over many years to bring it into being. In this way, a vision acts as a force within, compelling a leader to action. It gives a leader purpose, and the power of the vision and the leader's devotion to it work to inspire others — who, sensing purpose and commitment, respond." — Neil Snyder and Michelle Graves, "Leadership and Vision: Importance of Goals and Objectives in Leadership"

"Vision is the art of seeing the invisible."

— Jonathan Swift

How many times has one found oneself in a situation that sounded like a great opportunity because one's thirst for capital gain overruled ones true desires of the heart? At times, we are taken on a journey that appears great, but it does not necessarily agree with our internal elements. The energy surrounding these ideas is short-lived because it creates a void. The quest for self-fulfillment lives on. After time and money have been sacrificed, the quest for self-fulfillment lives on; we continue our pursuit of happiness through self-gratification.

"Vision without a task is only a dream. A task without a vision is but drudgery. But vision with a task is a dream fulfilled."

— Anonymous

I have come to realize that vision is discovered as a result of obedience to the principles of core values. These values serve as a supernatural magnet that plays a significant role in shaping, molding, and directing the future you.

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."

— T. E. Lawrence

Many of us are trapped in a holding pattern because we neglect an important part of the Trio: vision. This negligence temporarily suspends any good that may come to the individual through the light of attraction. This light or illumination is desperately needed for vision: to solidify what God's goals are for the person. When a person follows this light, there is peace in the soul for he or she has allowed the internal lighthouse to guide him or her in the right direction.

"A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done."

— Ralph Lauren

It is amazing how missing one element from the Trio significantly alters the internal element and leaves an unexplainable void. My purpose or discovery of my element was obvious, but I never had a clear sense of direction. I struggled countless times with what I assumed to be my sense of purpose. I realized the internal element — reserved by God — stimulated my mind toward my higher purpose; I could not do it on my own — I had to depend totally on God to reveal it to me.

"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become."

— Anonymous

How many times has one's subconscious interceded at the right time and brought forth a moment of clarity that served as a safeguard? This visualization or favorable foresight preserves your life — and the memory of the experience is never forgotten.

"Determine that the thing can and shall be done and then we shall find the way."

— Abraham Lincoln

True vision — ability inspired by and strengthened by God — encompasses life, laughter, and love. These attributes play a significant part in the creation of visual manifestation. Visual manifestation is defined as seeing oneself in the moment. This is why the vision segment within the Trio is so important. Before one can accomplish any feat that he or she has visualized, one must first see oneself in the moment of accomplishment.

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. Your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."

— James Allen

We must always remember that just because we cannot see something does not mean that it does not exist. The true test of sight depends on your faith. In life, we find ourselves in a three-part process that involves being justified, certified, and elevated.

The vision segment of the Trio serves as the gold standard in terms of everyday struggles. No matter what we do for a career, relationship, education, or adventure, there is always a justification process that takes place to test our dedication, desire, and commitment. This process can be discouraging because challenges create an emotional roller coaster. There are many highs and lows, but anything worth having is worth working for.

During the certification stage, a deep appreciation and newfound love is established and solidified. There are many times when I reflect during this stage, and although I struggle, I would not change a thing because it is part of the defining mystique that encompasses me.

"The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision."

— Helen Keller

The certification stage creates a sense of satisfaction that affirms that one is tried, true, and proven with the spirit of perseverance as one's guide and comforter. In this stage, one weathers the storm and holds firm in one's faith and beliefs; one begins to experience the moment of clarity that embraces the soul and rewards the heart with inner peace. There is no greater feeling than the sense of accomplishment when one begins to bask in the glow of the newfound sense of accomplishment.

When the resonating glow rests, one has entered the elevation stage. One finds favor in all that one does. This stage is truly an amazing time that many seek but fall short — the requirements of Trio interact and make no apology for the bountiful rewards.

When a person has truly tapped into its power, vision plays heavily on that person's emotions. It gives the opportunity to see him- or herself in a role that is in agreement with that person's true character and defined purpose; it can also show alignment with what he or she is meant to be — this is when true vision has been realized.

In addition, vision allows a person to take inventory and assess the multiple opportunities that have been taken advantage of or left behind. The vision is real because an individual can see it before it actually happens. Vision is extremely powerful (Jones, Interview)!

In 10 Passions of a Man's Soul: Harness Your Strength, Impact Your World, Mark Elfstrand chronicles the purpose of today's male by diving into the essence of vision where men are concerned. He states, "Today we see a disturbing lack of understanding about real manhood. One reason is a lack of good role models. We also suffer from a lack of vision as to what a man is and how he should act."

The ten passions of men are Purpose, Adventure, Power, Winning, Wealth, Self-Preservation, The Hunt, Pleasure, Relationships, and Legacy. The author breaks them into smaller components.

Purpose has four elements: Ambition (which must be tempered by self-control); Duty (which must be connected to honor), Calling (which is best when directed by God), and Cause (which must be worth pursuing).

Adventure is composed of the Unknown, the Thrill, the Risk, and Living Dangerously. "You will not experience the depth of your manhood until you experiment with adventure; but choose wisdom over foolishness in making decisions."

The components of the Passion for Power are strength, intimidation, leadership, control, and domination. You can use these elements selfishly or for a higher good. Remember that there is power in humility.

The Passion for Winning needs an opponent, a game plan, an engagement, a crisis point, and a reward. Competition is healthy, but we must play fair and play to win. Losing is temporary; building each other up is everlasting because life is a team sport.

The Passion for Wealth includes accumulation, spending nature, quality preference, stewardship, and philanthropy. The Passion for Self-Preservation is made up of basic needs, identity, emotional survival, and protected care.