Mark's lonely and emotionally painful childhood is deeply rooted in his heart and mind as he fights to overcome often opposing, dramatic challenges throughout his life, and molds himself into a professionally and personally successful man. He endures the dark shadows of his inner self but is also enlightened by his revelations. His meditative soul and his journey are influenced by his family, friends and peers, as he explores and grows from lacking to finding personal identity; from missing to gaining confidence; from losing to earning friendships; from betrayal to loyalty in love; from naivety to manipulation in his career; from failures to successes in parenting; from illness to health; and ultimately from the path of 'do what you have to' towards 'do what you want to'.