I didn’t grow up with a roadmap. Like many people, I was handed a complicated set of circumstances and asked to figure it out along the way. Some problems were loud and obvious. Others crept in quietly, slowly wearing me down. At times, it felt like I was surrounded by nails—sharp, relentless, impossible to ignore. So I picked up a hammer. I didn’t always solve things. Sometimes, I just broke them into smaller pieces, convincing myself that out of sight meant out of heart, out of mind.
Looking back, I’d change a few decisions. I’d soften some of the harder edges, skip a few of the darker turns, and devote more energy to appreciating what I had instead of grieving what I lacked. But still, I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s mine. My domain to claim.
Your domain is whatever you can control—big or small, visible or invisible. It’s not defined by how flawless the past was or how certain the future may be. It’s about ownership. Direction. Agency. That’s something my mother, may she rest in peace, instilled in me from an early age. She wasn’t perfect—far from it—but she gave me a gift more valuable than comfort: the courage to take ownership, face fear, and give my best effort, always.
Those lessons took root and eventually gave rise to my personal philosophy—one grounded in three simple words: Love. Health. Purpose.
Love—For yourself, for those you hold dear, and yes, as difficult as it may be, for your fellow man. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things to do with sincerity. But the more love you can extend outward, the more profound the love becomes inward. When your heart opens, your personal relationships deepen in ways that can feel almost surreal.
Health—Mind and body, inseparable and essential. Our brightest days are often those when we feel whole—strong, clear, connected. Perfection isn’t the goal; pursuit is. Prioritizing health isn’t vanity—it’s strategy. A sound body supports a sound mind, and vice versa.
Purpose—A reason for being. It doesn’t have to be flashy or world-changing. It just has to matter. When you find something you care about—something that calls to you—and you give yourself to it with wholehearted effort, purpose tends to follow. Fulfillment isn’t born of status; it’s born of commitment.
This journey of mine has been long, unpredictable, and not without its shadows. But I stand here with gratitude. I’ve grown, healed, and above all, learned. And for everything I’ve accomplished, I know the greatest rewards are the ones I never could have planned for: a great wife, a few deeply influential relationships, and children who are as independent as they are remarkable.
I’ve known struggle. I’ve known joy. And in claiming this life—my domain—I’ve come to believe the greatest victory isn’t in how far you go. It’s in how deeply you appreciate where you are.
About the Author
David Vega is a seasoned business leader, transformation expert, and community advocate. As CEO of Rockwall Capital Group, which owns The Rockwall Times, he combines his deep operational expertise with a passion for storytelling and uplifting local voices. David’s writing explores perseverance, leadership, and purpose, shaped by his own journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership. He lives in Heath, Texas, with his wife and children.
