Each person’s story is unique, but in this shared existence called humanity we soon discover we are not alone in our personal thoughts and
desires. We may differ in the color of our skin, the religion we practice, our ethnic roots, our education, our intelligence, or our talents, but
deep down we have similar goals that define us as human. The most basic goal is survival. We come screaming into the world without an
instruction booklet and shift into survival mode, looking for our first meal as we fill our lungs with oxygen. Once our basic needs are met, we
begin to develop. With each decision we make as we chart our life’s journey, we uncover a new and amazing world of opportunities and
adventures. Soon we realize we need tools to help us achieve our goals. It’s easy to understand the importance of using the right physical
tools success.  

Before I began to write my memoir A Dance with the Devil: A True Story of Marriage to a Psychopath, I scoured photo albums, calendars,
day planners, and documents, digging deeper and deeper into my experiences to understand what had happened in my life. As I dusted away
the cobwebs and organized and analyzed my data, a pattern emerged: the successes in my life occurred when I had faithfully applied four
tools I came to recognize as passion, planning, patience, and persistence.  These four P’s are simple and effective. And they are free.  

In this little book of success I use four major endeavors in my life to illustrate how the four P’s helped me attain success, one P at a time, as I
built a home, completed my education, changed the law, and wrote a book.  It is my hope that seeing the four P’s in action will inspire you to
recognize your own hopes and dreams, and know they are possible to attain. No one’s story and talents are more important than anyone
else’s. What is important is what you do with your story and talents to help yourself and others. You hold the tools within you to achieve the
successes that fill your life with meaning and pleasure.   

Tools are nothing more than aids. When weeds grow in our gardens, we grab a hoe, shovel, rake, garbage bags, gloves, hand trowels, spiked
weeders, knee pads, and attack. We pull, hack, rake, and dig. At the end of the day, we feel exhausted but satisfied when we can see the
beautiful weed-free garden, the path down the middle, and the pile of filled garbage sacks. We have accomplished something. We have
changed the garden for the better. In the same way, we can change our lives with the tools of passion, planning, patience, and persistence.
This little book of success is designed with mobility in mind. You can take it with you anywhere, as a paperback book or in your electronic
device. You can also write the four P’s on a Post-It or note card and stick it in a purse, in a briefcase, on a nightstand, next to a TV, on your
office desk, in your car, on your workbench, on a mirror, on the refrigerator – anywhere where the words will help you achieve your passion.

And when life seems to be getting the better of you, flip open this book or turn on your electronic reader for an extra nudge to keep you
moving forward.  Let it inspire you to recognize the greatness within you.