Life On Purpose - the 'story' behind the story!

In June, I was invited to give the keynote address at the 2008 commencement ceremony at my alma mater Grover Cleveland High School and unbeknownst to me someone recorded and posted the video on myspace. In the address, I shared a story about a gentlemen named Erik Morales who facilitated a group activitiy that impacted my life. Recently, I was able to connect with him and with his permission posted an email he sent. Watch the video and see email below.

Live Life on Purpose


Rafael,

In watching the video of your keynote presentation I cannot help but steal a bit of pride. So thanks for that.

On one hand it was hard to believe that the man on the dais is the same boy who I interviewed and worked with a decade ago. However, at the same time I did see much of the potential that is evident now, and I am glad that you cultivated that potential to the degree that you have.

It is refreshing to hear that at least some of the countless exercises and workshops I have done have had some positive effect. Than you very much for sharing.

It appears things are going very well for you. Congratulations on your beautiful family. I am sure you are an excellent husband and father.

I have been happily married for a while now (which is a rarity these days) and am fortunate to have two kids of my own. Life has been good,-- I have been a professor at Jersey City University for four years now and am quite happy teaching and doing research. I also do speeches and workshops on my resilience research, so perhaps we can work together sometime soon.

Keep up the good work and I hope we stay in-touch.

My best to you and yours.

Erik Morales

I am humbled by some major opportunities I'll have in January which may result in a widespread impact on hundreds of students. It is people like Dr. Erik Morales who inspire me to work, think, read, write, pray and fight for the potential in other students to be realized.

2009 - we go hard!

Ralph