A dear friend showed me how to buy gas stations by picking locks and why I love NWA.

by | Indy Anna, Real Estate Investing, Uncategorized

Sean and Greg

A dear friend showed me how to buy gas stations by picking locks and why I love NWA.

So I made this class a few years ago…

Then Anna found it and asked me about it.

So I could just say…

This is in memory of an old friend, Sean. He taught me a lot and there are some great lessons here. Until we meet again my Brother… I love you.

This WBE Lesson is a little different; Little Things Matter.

It’s something my aunt taught me when I was delivering papers and I understand it even more when a very good friend showed me how far just how far this lesson can take you.

In this class we’ll talk about:

===>  The exact moment that I learned how important little things are, and how you can apply the same thing to your activity and get a lot more compliance from people

=== >  The story behind one of my first gas stations – if you’re savvy you’ll connect the dots and see how this is the same Model that another student used to buy over 30 gas stations all zero down

===>  The real difference it makes when you focus on finding brilliance in others

And a bunch of other stuff too like why I still NWA and what I think about every time that I do, hope it helps…

But there’s more to it… 

… a LOT more…

Sean was a good friend of mine.

Much of the work that we’ve done with addiction, substance abuse, drug use awareness, etc. is a result of what I saw happen with Sean.  I know many people prefer not to talk about addiction or look down on people suffering with it.

In the video above, for example, I barely mention it.

I did that because I’ve had many conversation with people in denial or with a negative stereotype in their mind about “those kinds” of people who get addicted.

Addiction can happen to anybody

It may something like a mild facebook, porn or video game addiction, or something more severe like heroin.

This doesn’t only happen to “weak minded” people or pu**ies. 

Unfortunately the way things are going with pharmaceuticals (pill makers) and others you will learn the not-fun way that addiction can happen to anybody. 

Yes, anybody.

Somebody in your life who you’ve known and loved for decades, somebody with an iron will and a freight train of mental strength… can be reduced to a self harming junkie.

The less you understand what I’m describing, the luckier you are.

That luck comes from your environment, upbringing, opportunities, exposure to education, comfortable finances, a loving family unit and/or a thousand other resources that you were privileged to have.

Don’t that let that privilege blind you.

One of the most important things you may ever do for a loved one is have compassion, empathy, understanding, caring and LOVE for somebody with addiction.

You don’t need to have all the answers

If you or somebody you know is battling with addiction then sometimes asking for help seems like the hardest thing to do in the world.  They often feel extreme levels of shame, the feeling of helplessness the feeling of isolation, loneliness and a total loss of hope. 

Deep depression even.

I know how easy the solution can seem to somebody looking at it from the outside but it is absolutely VITAL that you at least try to see things from their perspective. 

You need to love on them like never before, get them help no matter how they may treat you, abuse you, lie to you, hurt your feelings, argue or yell at you it is NOT them and you need to stay focused on helping them kill this monster… just turn up the LOVE and make it happen.

This is very often life and death.

There are a lot of places you can turn to for help:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 The National Institute of Drug Abuse

Here’s more on addiction from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Of you can give us a call or email us:

Love (at) BigReia (.) com.

Just make sure you say this isn’t a “normal” question and it is related to this topic, I promise you that it will get escalated and you have MY WORD that we will do everything in our power to help.  

My entire team is up to speed on how we deal with addiction and how we help folks going through so any of us can help you.  This is also why we started the first detox center in Karachi for alcohol and heroin and many other treatment centers and resources.  

We are here to help.

In fact this situation with Sean changed my outlook on how to deal with and help people going through addiction challenges.

More recently something else happened…

Over the years I’ve kept in touch with many of the friends Sean and I had made.  A few of them had gone through addiction challenges.  I’m so THANKFUL that I was in a better position to help.

There was Ashley, Martin, Kyle and a few others

We got them help and they recovered.

But then there was another girl, somebody Sean had dated and we had spent a lot of time with.  Somebody I was friends with since we were in 7th grade gym together.

Her name was Lauren

She was THAT girl at our school, the “hot girl” with everything going for her.  Her parents had piles of money, she was flawlessly pretty but probably more than all of that:

She was a good person.

She was sweet, caring and always helpful.  She wasn’t the way most “pretty girls” are she was very approachable and always smiled.  She threw great parties and always made sure everybody was having a good time.

Carmel, Indiana is one of the richest cities in America, often called the Beverly Hills of the Midwest.  Lauren was like Ms. Carmel, but in a good way.  She was wholesome, kind (rich haha) and an overall good person.

She was the LAST person you would think… 

Oh how many times I’ve heard that when it comes to addiction.

I was so convinced that Lauren was okay that I didn’t drop everything and try to help the way I did when I heard about our other friends struggling.  Lauren had money, family, friends, resources, etc. why did she need me right?

I still remember the last time I talked to her:

“So you’re good right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Alright, we’ll talk soon…”

None of us knew it… but we were both lying.

Maybe I should’ve done more than just left my number, maybe I should’ve called her or stopped by or being a BIT more nosey.  

“Maybe you should’ve fu**ing learned from Sean!”  I’ve thought to myself.

In December of 2016 it happened.

Lauren is gone.

She left behind a five year old son.

This stuff can happen to ANYBODY.

This is why it is so important that we all do our part in helping the people in our lives who are struggling with the addiction monster.  Help these folks come clean.  It can save their lives.

These are the last pictures of Lauren. 

Lauren was a great person

She will be missed, until we meet again Sister… until we meet again.

… I should also tell you about Sean.

Sean was beautiful.

Sean came from a poor background

But his ambition more than made up for whatever shortcomings we had.  We started multiple different companies and he always made them work.  Sean was loving, caring and funny.

He was smart and NOT lazy in the slightest.  That’s a rare combination but Sean had it.  When it was time to work he was all in.  That’s how we were able to build companies together so fast.

Sean had brilliance

He knew how to talk to others, his laugh was contagious and genuinely cared about helping people.  He had ambitions and big dreams AND he knew that anybody could do anything.

Here are some words from his Mom, Patty:

From Sean’s Mom, Pat:

Sean was the most caring and compassionate kid we knew. He was always looking after his friends. He would always brighten anybody’s mood when they were down with his great smile and silly sense of humor.  He loved kids, elderly people and his dogs.

Sean had a lot of spirit.  He loved God.

He’d kiss his cross around his neck every day.  He also loved his family. His love and concerns were with us every day.  

We didn’t get to spend much time with him in the last few months and missed him a great deal.  We did get to spend his 22nd birthday with him.

We had so much fun. He also was able to spend a few days with his grandparents.  These wonderful memories of that weekend and hundreds of others very special times will always be remembered and cherished.

We will always love and miss you Sean.

WITH ALL OUR LOVE,

SEAN’S FAMILY.

I thought about this and…

I might as well turn this page into a mini-Memorial

Somebody has mentioned that the guest book on Sean’s funeral page was going to possibly expire.  That would delete over 15 years of messages, so I thought that THIS page here could serve as a safe backup.

I can make sure this page stays up at no charge to the family.

Here are the notes from Pat and Sean’s sister Joell:

NOTE from Azam: 

This was from his sister Joell, about three weeks after:

SEAN,

YOU’VE BEEN MY THOUGHTS 24 HOURS A DAY. I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU. YOU’RE EVERYWHERE I LOOK.

I KNOW THE PAIN YOU FELT IN LIFE AND LOVE. I ALWAYS WANTED YOU TO REALIZE THAT I LOVED YOU AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE FRUSTRATIONS IN YOUR LIFE, I WANTED MORE THAN ANYTHING TO HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT PATH AND FIND COMPLETE HAPPINESS.

I NOW BELIEVE YOU’VE FOUND IT…ETERNAL HAPPINESS.

YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART SEAN AND I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE FUN AND LAUGHTER WE HAD TOGETHER. I MISS YOU!!

YOUR BIG SIS

NOTE from Azam: 

This was about three months later:

Sean,
It’s almost another Friday. Each Friday each week is really hard to face. It’s always a reminder of another week gone by without you. I wish you knew how much we all miss you. I hope your with us in spirit and will look after everyone. I love you Sean.

To all that have participated in Sean’s memorial book:
Thank you so much. Each one has touched me so much.

NOTE from Azam: 

This was about two years later:

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years to this date, April 23, 2001. You’ve been on our minds and in our hearts all day. I planted a rose 2 years ago in your memory and was hoping it would bloom today.

It didn’t but I know when it does it will bring a warm spot in my heart. We miss you so much. Especially your silly things you say and do. I was thinking today about a day I went up to Carmel and brought you a sandwich (we laugh at the bean sprouts, “you said, are you giving me a grass sandwich!).

On my way out you gave me a big hug. I can still feel it right now. You didn’t give me hugs very often. They were all special to me, but THAT one was very special to me.

It was our last one.

I’m sure we’ll meet and hug again. I love you little brother and won’t ever forget your smiles and laughter (especially when you were young). Send Grampa, Billy, Tom, and of course Ziggy my love. 

See you in my dreams….your big sis

NOTE from Azam: 

This was about two years after the above:

Sean, 

You are always in my thoughts but are very very much in the past few days. I have lost another brother so close in my heart and find it so unfair to lose Brandon too.

I hope you are near me in spirit and help me get thru this. I hope that it really is wonderful where you and Brandon are and can’t wait to reunite. I miss you so much. 

Love, 
your big sista

NOTE from Azam: 

This was a while after the previous:

It’s been a long time since I signed the guestbook. 8 years have gone by already since your death. You’d be 30 years old this year. It’s hard to believe. I think about what you would be doing with your life.

I imagine you’d have a kid. I bet you’d be driving Mom’s Camaro that she’d probably end up giving you. You’d probably have a healthy beer belly by now , 5 more tatoos and maybe a big hoop in your nose. I think you would have found that many people adored you. I think you would have found a job skill that you enjoyed too.

I really miss hanging out with you. There’s not a day that has passed when I didn’t think about you. We would be having so much fun at this time of our lives. I regret being so caught up in my life while I had you here. I really wish we would have spent more time together in those last couple years.

I love you.

Your sis

NOTE from Azam: 

Below is a picture of Joelle on Pat’s right, then below that are the messages Pat sent to Sent This was a while after the previous:

NOTE from Azam: 

This was the first message his Mom left it was the first December after Sean:

SEANIE,

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I’VE WRITTEN YOU.

IT’S HARD TO FIND THE WORDS WHEN I START TO WRITE YOU SOMETHING.
THE WORDS JUST COME AT THE MOMENT THAT I AM THINKING OF YOU
AND THAT’S QUITE OFTEN, ESPECIALLY AT WORK WHEN I LOOK AT
YOUR PICTURES IN FRONT OF ME OR AT JOELL’S WHEN I’M AT HOME
LOOKING AT YOUR PICTURES IN THE FAMILY ROOM, THE FRIDGE DOOR,
MY BEDROOM, THE LIVING ROOM.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW I’LL HAVE A POSTER SIZE PICTURE LIKE THAT ONE I HAD OF TOM SELLECK ON THE BATHROOM DOOR IN N.Y. REMEMBER THAT?

ANYWAY…. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS SO MUCH AND I MISS YOU SO BAD. I EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU HATE FOR ME TO BE SAYING ALL THIS STUFF
NOW, CAUSE IT PISSED YOU OFF WHEN I GOT ALL SAD FOR YOUR DAD
AND YOU ARE PROBABLY SAYING TO YOUR DAD RIGHT NOW “THERE SHE
GOES AGAIN, THINKING ABOUT YOU”.

YAH, I GUESS WHEN I THINKOF ONE, I CANNOT HELP THINKING OF THE OTHER. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME WITH US. ALL I KNOW IS I FEEL A GREAT COMFORT THAT YOU ARE WITH YOUR DAD AND TOMMY AND WHOEVER ELSE IS AROUND YOU THESE DAYS.

I HOPE YOU ARE WATCHING OVER ALL OF US HERE AND TIME WILL PASS QUICKLY WHEN I CAN SEE YOU AGAIN.

I LOVE YOU SEANIE.

NOTE from Azam:

Then this was about a week later:

IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS EVE AND I FEEL SO WIERD WITHOUT YOU.

IT DOES NOT EVEN FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS. I TRY NOT TO THINK A LOT ABOUT IT, BUT YOU ARE ON MY MIND A LOT.  I LOOK AT ALL YOUR PICTURES THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE AND THE ONES ON MY DESK AT WORK AND JUST WISH I COULD BE WITH YOU AGAIN THIS YEAR.

I HOPE YOU WILL BE RIGHT THERE

BESIDE ME WHEN WE OPEN OUR PRESENTS AND GIVE ME A PLEASANT DREAM FOR MY X-MAS GIFT.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH SEAN AND WILL ALWAYS.

SAY HELLO TO EVERYONE I KNOW WITH YOU, ESPECIALLY YOUR DAD.

I MISS HIM VERY MUCH TOO. UNTIL THEN

NOTE from Azam:

Then this was some time later, about a year before Pat herself passed:

Well here it is 15 yrs since you’ve been taken from my world. I miss u so much. Now you have Grandpa, Grandma & Aunt Theresa & Uncle David with you too. I wonder what it’s like in your world. Just stay close & watch over your old Mom.

Love you!!!

NOTE from Azam:

Then about four years later a family friend Angela said:

Just wanna say hay.. miss u.. hope ur w ur mom lookin down on us.. love n miss u ..alot!

===

Something about that last message gets me, like you can watch the whole process of mourning all the way to joining.  I trust they are all doing well.   To Sean, Greg and Lauren (and anybody else in the struggle) you can make it.

I’m here to help, we all are…

… much love Pat.

… Until we meet again…

Godspeed.

– Azam

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