The Early Life: A Journey Marked by Rejections

Let's travel back in time and to a place far away, to the city of Hangzhou, China. There lived a young man who was met with more than his fair share of failures and rejections. His academic journey was marred by repeated disappointments; he failed his middle school admission exam twice, and his aspirations to pursue higher education were repeatedly thwarted by poor performance on entrance examinations. The doors of a prestigious institution like Harvard remained closed to him, despite sending not one, but eleven applications.

The Professional Struggle: The World Says 'No'

But his struggle did not end with his academic journey. Entering the job market, he was met with a series of rejections. Thirty job applications, all met with silence or a polite 'no'. He was even the sole candidate to be turned away from a job at a fast-food joint, among a group of hopefuls. With every rejection, the world seemed to be sending him a clear message – that he was not good enough.

The Entrepreneurial Leap: Holding Onto the Vision

However, this young man chose not to accept that message. He held onto his belief in his potential and his vision for a brighter future. He decided to start his own company, stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. Yet, even this path was strewn with obstacles. For three long years, his company struggled to make a profit. He knocked on the doors of numerous investors, only to be met with further rejections. There came a point when his company teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.

The Turnaround: Weathering the Storm

Still, in the face of all these adversities, he did not give up. He held onto his vision with unwavering determination, weathering the storm. His persistence finally bore fruit. His company began to grow, and even expanded internationally, receiving the backing of prominent investors. Within just five years, his company had grown so powerful that it drove a multinational e-commerce corporation out of business in its home country.

The Legacy: An Unforgettable Success Story

That young man was Jack Ma, and the company he built is Alibaba. Today, despite no longer running Alibaba, Ma's impact is undeniable. He has become one of the wealthiest people in China, and the company he built is a global leader. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the never-give-up mindset. So, whenever you face a setback, remember this young man from Hangzhou. If he could turn his dreams into reality despite such adversity, then why can't you?

Meet Father G: A Champion of Compassion

Today, I want to share a remarkable story of resilience and transformation that unfolded in the heart of Los Angeles, California. Our protagonist is not a typical hero. Instead, he is a humble Jesuit priest known affectionately as Father G. He is a man known for the depth of his compassion, a trait evident in the warm eyes that peek out from beneath his bushy white beard.

An Unconventional Journey: 'Barking to the Choir'

His story, as chronicled in the memoir 'Barking to the Choir,' is a testament to his unwavering faith and relentless commitment to serving others. Father G is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention program in the United States. But this is not just an organization; for many, it is a beacon of hope, a lifeline, and a second chance.

From Gang Members to Community Members

Imagine being a former gang member, your life marked by violence and crime, your future seemingly written in indelible ink. The world views you as a lost cause, but not Father G. He sees beyond the past, beyond the mistakes, to the dignity that resides in every individual. He extends an offer that few had ever extended these former gang members before: the opportunity to work in a real job for a real paycheck.

Transformation: More than Just a Paycheck

For those who accept this offer, it's a transformative experience. It's not just about earning money; it's about reclaiming their dignity, their self-worth, and their place in society. They begin to see themselves not as outcasts or criminals, but as valuable members of the community. They become bakers, silkscreeners, administrators, and so much more. Their transformation, their resilience in the face of their past, is the real miracle of Homeboy Industries.

A Testament to the Power of Faith and Compassion

Father G's work and the stories he shares in 'Barking to the Choir' remind us that resilience is not merely about weathering the storms in our own lives, but also about helping others discover their own capacity for resilience. His story is a testament to the power of faith, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the potential of every human being.

Father G's Legacy: A Story of Resilience

Father G, or often just G, is a man who wears his heart beneath his bushy white beard. The stories he tells in the book echo his commitment to serving others as well as his journey of faith. Peppering nearly every page however is a story of one homie or home girl or another – all of them former gang members – who has been transformed by the opportunity to work in a real job for a real paycheck. Money is not the object, dignity is. This is resilience indeed.