My OWN
Reflection:
“Wild” By
Cheryl Strayed.
By: Troy McDonald
I will never forget the
feeling I had when the Oprah Winfrey Network alerted me on twitter that they
were going to send out a copy of “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, the first book in
Oprah’s brand new Book Club 2.0. I was beyond enthused. When it arrived in all
its glory, I missed the delivery! After the hustle and bustle, I finally picked
it up. I remember asking myself “what if Cheryl Strayed and Oprah signed the
book?” I was grateful to just get the book! And then to be asked to share my
thoughts…Priceless. When I opened the book there was a card from Ms. Winfrey
signed with the most beautiful green colored sharpie. My heart stopped,
literally. Cheryl’s signature embossed like one I would expect from an author
yet still completely miraculous. My mom and family jumped for joy, and on my
first night of reading she said emphatically “Enjoy the book Angel eyes”. I
replied with the usual “I will”. I shut my bedroom door and asked myself. What
if I hate this book? I sat down, staring at the signatures as a sign of good
luck.
When you know better
you do better. My initial worry soon became ill faded. I loved the story of a
woman dedicated to redeem her life, to re-claim her former self by hiking the
Pacific Coast Trail. I soon realized the story went much deep than I
anticipated. When Cheryl recounted stories of how she would ask her mother how
much she loved her, and each time her mother stretched her arms further apart, reminded
me of me my childhood. I would ask my
mom how much she loved me, she always responded with infinity.
Recently I separated from
a relationship after 5 years. We started the relationship when I was 15. As
Cheryl discussed her divorce, the aloneness I felt became all too real. My
father died at 16, and although he wasn’t around I could feel the gaping hole
as Cheryl described In “Wild”. In essence, “Wild” became a mirror that
reflected, painfully and beautifully my own life. “Wild” became the friend I
could curl up to in bed, and without having to share my problems, they were already
there with subtle solutions along the way.
Everyone has a PCT
trail in their life, a trial or tribulation that strengthens them or forever
breaks them down. In my life the “PCT” has been my career. I believe that one
day I will be the top talk show host in America. By the age of 19 I started developing
my talk radio show “Troy”, and now at 20, I sit on the board of directors for a
local TV channel, and also consult startup businesses with owners twice my age.
The ravenous mountains in “Wild” symbolized for me the ups and downs of having
a plate this full, and goals as big as the Sierras. That truly is the beauty of
the book. The mountains, the rattlesnakes, the abundant bodies of water could
represent something different to everybody.
If it wasn’t for
reading this book, I wouldn’t have felt complete. I let go of the anger I had
towards my father, for not staying sober enough to see his baby boy start his
path. I let go of the pain of separation, and I realized that I cannot control
every moment of my career. My dreams are there, my hard work is there. I
learned to let the universe guide me to my true destiny.
Cheryl felt every
painful mile of the Pacific Coast Trail, the ups, the downs, and the downright
scary (Don’t remind Ms. Winfrey of the frogs!) Although others and Cheryl
herself might not have understood why, she kept walking anyway. Determined to
release her struggles and become her authentic self. When others scoffed at me,
and years ago when bullies teased in high school, I kept walking. Determined
blindly, as Cheryl was. I don’t know why I didn’t give up, but the universe
knew why I had to stay in the game.
Life has a form of
auto-correct ready to re-align us, when were too stupid or blinded by another
being to see our true destiny. Somehow it knows how wildly amazing we’re meant
to be, and wants us to enjoy every minute of our own PCT Trail. As painful as it may be, there is a giant ice cream cone
waiting on the other side. (I can only imagine Cheryl’s excitement on her last
stop enjoying every second of her cone). It is through the trials and
tribulations that we learn that we are enough and that we are worthy. How
amazingly, dark, twisted, beautiful, and wild that truly is.
5/5 Stars
Could you forgive the man who killed your mother. Dean smith did just that. After years of feeling angry and depressed, Dean's connection with the universe allowed him to forgive his step father Bob for doing the unthinkable. Dean spiraled into drug addiction and pain but through it all has come out on top. Dean started the Live to Forgive Foundation, aimed at helping people lead better lives through forgiveness. Dean also took part in the Live To Forgive documentary chronicling this amazing story. 
He is One of the Greatest WWE Champions of all time and today we can confirm that Bret The "Hitman" Hart will be on the Troy Show. Growing up in Calgary, Alberta Canada he and his family transformed the wrestling industry. It hasn't come easy though, after nearly loosing his life after suffering a stroke and being screwed by the WWE, Bret nearly lost it all. In 2005 he was rightfully inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame and In 2010, he forgave Vince McMahon and rejoined the WWE ranks. His story of perseverance will touch everyone and we are so proud to announce this amazing interview. 
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