When Chains Are Broken: An Inspirational and Interactive Book to Uplift Your Life Journey

By Bryant Mathes and Natasha Wright

When you know what your life goals are, you can fulfill your dreams by making positive choices. Daily growth towards your goals shows your ability to empower yourself and build your own legacy. Your actions can prove that you're choosing to be a champion in your life journey. Allow yourself to be the deciding factor of the change you desire. Take control to turn your life around for the better! Through understanding the consequences of your actions, being your own motivator, and setting your own self-worth, you can find freedom to change from the inside out. Self-discovery is a process with no timeline. Within this book, readers will find new perspectives and insights to see their lives through new eyes. The reflections in each chapter will help readers sort through thoughts, experiences, wants, needs, and desires. This book can be used in any order and as many times as desired throughout life's journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667875934

Book preview

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© 2022 Bryant Mathes

ISBN: 978-1-66-787593-4

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Dedication

With special recognition for:

Melinda Ann Mathes, Mother

Debra Mathes-Crum, Auntie-Mom

Wilma Jo Mathes, Sister

Tyrone Bachman, Cousin

Nook, Jo-V, & Ashley, Best Friends of my Youth

Herb Greenlee, Director & Mentor at Carver Recreation Center, Tennessee

Doochie & James L., The Palace Barber Shop in Johnson City, Tennessee

Ramone Price & Dewitt Butler, Metropolitan Barber Academy, Pennsylvania

Previous Barber Shop & Academy Owners, and my Mentors

Forward

Bryant’s account of his journey from Tennessee to Pennsylvania is a masterpiece in that it details where he came from to where he is today. He more or less escaped from his family in Tennessee to establish a new life on his own in Pennsylvania without assistance from his parents. He demonstrated how a person can pave the way for himself. As I observed him learn to cut and style hair, I also observed how he created his own business while teaching his students to not only cut and style hair but to teach his students to be productive individuals as well. He surpassed his mentor Ramone Price who worked for his employer AND operated a barber shop on the side.

Bryant is teaching his students not only how to cut and style hair but also how they can be entrepreneurs if that is their inclination. He is a model for his students, most of whom will either work for an established business or create their own businesses. Not only does he teach his students a craft, he is also giving them direction how to be productive individuals. It is obvious that he is impacting his students by giving them direction on being good citizens and productive parents to their children. He is definitely a positive role model for his students to emulate.

- Gerald Robinson

Robinson & Geraldo Law Firm

Table of Contents

Introduction

Breaking the Chains

Chapter One Reflection

From Nothing to Something

Chapter Two Reflection

Negative Energy

Chapter Three Reflection

Everybody Can’t Come

Chapter Four Reflection

Let Go

Chapter Five Reflection

Identify Yourself

Chapter Six Reflection

Being A Champion

Chapter Seven Reflection

From the Beginning to the End

Chapter Eight Reflection

Opportunity

Chapter Nine Reflection

That Call

Chapter Ten Reflection

Introduction

Ama gonna share with you inspiration, jewels, reflection, and Kobe quotes.

Breaking the Chains

Chapter One

Before that golden day when I was 8 years old and I had been told by my mother to go to the barber shop and get a haircut, my life lacked direction. Up until then, my understanding of how I could