During the month of November, the past 30 days have been a whirlwind.
I have been working diligently to prepare to take the Florida State Exam to get a 215 License which enables me to sell Health, Life and Variable Annuities.
This Quest actually began in 2006 when I started looking into this, but circumstances never enabled me to take the State Exam the past nine years.
Over the past six months, I began This Process once again. I spent over 200 hours of Classwork at Gold Coast School of Insurance, in addition to over 700 hours of doing homework. The instructors at this school were excellent!
Nine years ago, the Training Manual was 300 pages. Now it's 600 pages with no pictures. As of October 2015, the Class Requrements have Increased from 40 hours to 63 because the test is so challenging and, tricky. I was grandfathered in at 40 hours.
The State of Florida's Exam is one of the most difficult ones in the country.
Numerous sources said that 75% fail the first time which leaves 25% left to succeed on the initial try. I relished the challenge of playing the underdog role to get this done. Florida is a tough state because of the numerous scams. Many of these occur with the senior citizens since it is a retirement state.
There was no shortage of hurdles in My Quest to pass this Exam.
But the biggest one occurred on Sunday, November 15, 2015 when a very Special and Inspiring person passed away at the age of 73 due to Natural Causes.
This person's name is Betty Jayne Ebling.
Over the past three years, she provided me with guidance when I needed it. On Wednesday, November 18, we were supposed to talk, but unfortunately, that was a call that never came. The moment she passed, I felt a new kind of pressure.
Not only did I want to pass this exam for my immediate family and friends, who have believed in me all along, but now winning one for "Betty Jayne Ebling" provided me with additional pressure as well.
On Monday, November 16, 2015, I didn't start studying until 2 PM. I had to clear out my head and get my emotions under control.
That night, her husband Fred Ebling, a retired school teacher decided to give me some advice.
This guy had the line of the century. He said, "You should lock yourself up in a private room and tape your mouth shut so you don't get distracted."
This was real funny, but I opted to use a different approach and sit out in the library in my familiar spots. Considering the source, Fred Ebling's comments are ones I joke around with my close people.
Betty Ebling has been telling me all along that "If you go out there and give it your best effort, I'll be proud of you no matter what. You find out what mistakes you made then work on those areas and you'll get there. I really do believe that you'll be fine. I have a lot of faith and confidence in you."
The next two days were like no other. I couldn't sleep and studied at an even more intense pace. There isn't anything that I haven't accomplished that I haven't strived to the max to get. I thrive under pressure.
The last time I saw Mr. and Mrs. Ebling, I did it with no mustache and beard. Those became casualties on Tuesday, November 17, 2015. I had to take a professional picture and wanted to represent my closest people in the best way possible.I could hear her voice and see her face in the back of my mind and in my heart.
On Thursday, November 19, 2015, my goal was to complete the 150 question exam, plus the 15 pretest questions which amounted to 165 questions. I had 2.75 hours to complete the exam.
I had no desire to change an answer and over think these questions. Just Complete The Exam!
When I walked into the testing facility, I told the lady who registered me that Betty Jayne Ebling died and to please say a prayer for me. I have only one shot to get this one done and dedicate a win to Betty Jayne Ebling.
The lady did say a prayer and gave me words of advice. She told me to "Take my time reading the tutorials and relax. Take some deep breaths then go out there and after five minutues, I'll be fine. Go out there and take care of business."
I finished the exam 25 minutes early and managed to pass it with 70%. That was all I needed. I took the Rocky approach and just go the distance. That I did. I was shocked that I passed the Toughest Test Of
My Life! This was one single day and I've had difficulties on past state exams before, but not on this day.
Getting my BA Degree in Communication took me five years but seemed easier than this considering everything it took to pack that much pressure in a short period of time.
I was so excited that I passed but real relieved that I accidently forgot my drivers license. Here I am getting one license yet forgot one. It's safe to say, I never got out of the parking lot. The lady called me back and I ran up and got the drivers license with no pain in my gimpy knees.
But this is a day which began at my favorite spot in the Florida Everglades, then I ate at a Chili's in Boca Raton 10 minues away. I made it to the testing facility 15 minutes early. By the end of the day, I returned back to My Evergaldes Hangout to Wind Down.
On the day of Mrs. Ebling's death, the Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 18-16 to snap a 24-game losing streak in Wisconsin.
This football game was an after thought upon hearing the news of her passing.
As of this posting, the Lions have won three straight games following major changes in the front office and coaching staff.
Meanwhile, the Packers have lost four of five games going into their meeting Thursday Night at Ford Field since their bye week.
What will give Thursday Night?
Will the Lions compelete a two-game sweep of the Packers or will Green Bay wake up in a key divisional contest in its quest to win the NFC North Division. We shall see.
But I do want to use this Platform to Express My Deepest Condolences to the Entire Ebling Family for the huge loss that they've just experienced!
They are such a close knit group that I know it will take a lot of time to heal from this truly unfortunate loss, which happened way too soon!
Nothing will bring back Betty Jayne Ebling physically, but she is one of the Greatest People I've met in My Lifetime!
God Bless Mrs Ebling and I want to extend My Deepest Thanks for All the Guidance and Insights You've provided me. While I feel grateful to be a part of her life, three years was not nearly enough.
But because of her, I'm a better person!!
Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.
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