Have you ever had a moment in your life where something clicked and it all seemed so clear that you couldn’t believe it? I have had a few such moments in my life and I would like to share one with you.
It had been a few months since my accident, and I would follow the same routine. I’d get up, transfer to the electric chair, go into my office and shut the door. I would sit for hours, dwelling – pondering – fearing what my future looked like – for me and my family.
I was trying to figure out what to do with my life, but I wasn’t making much headway. I had yet to accept my accident and the resulting circumstances. I did not see a bright future.
Then came a day when all of that changed; the day I wheeled my chair out to play basketball with my wife and two little boys. That was one of my decisive moments.
It wasn’t just the laughter that made that day so important. My actions triggered in me the realization that I control my attitude. I decide how I’ll feel. Nothing else – no comments of encouragement from friends and family, or advice from books would make the difference. A major attitude change was ignited that day.
I finally realized that I had to get going, had to get involved, be a husband, a father, a friend, a son. At last I understood that I needed to move myself out of my depression and try something different. That simple decision, obvious to everyone but me, made all the difference.
Anyone who accepts this idea can create a new life for themselves.
By keeping a positive attitude about my circumstances, I’ve been able to do things doctors didn’t believe I could do. It wasn’t easy.
Christopher Reeve wrote in his autobiography about how difficult it is to look at what it means to live as fully as possible in the present.
“How do you survive in the moment when it’s bleak or painful and the past seems so seductive? On stage or in a film, being in the moment is relatively easy and very satisfying; it is an artistic accomplishment with no personal consequences. To have to live that way when the ‘moment’ is so difficult is a completely different matter.”
Somehow I did it. I learned to focus on and enjoy the moments of my life. None of this took place until I made that attitude adjustment and rediscovered my own inner strength. Eventually, I did come to believe in myself again and this brought new opportunities, more independence. Nothing felt better.
“At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable”
Christopher Reeve
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Chad,
Keep on dreaming and I will do the same as we make the world a better place one dream a time.
Thanks for the note about the power of beliefs…
Love your take on this.
-RG
Chad,
I was on the call this evening with John Ramsey and enjoyed hearing your story and your message. I can relate to this article because my husband and I are starting over at 42 and 47 years old with 3 children losing our dream home, filing bankruptcy and moving our family 4 times in 5 years. After spending the last 4 years crying, blaming and depressed, I finally decided that the only way our situation was going to improve was by taking action. Over the past 18 months I’ve started my own business, completed my BS in Elementary Education and beginning to understand what my purpose is in this world. I have learned to accept myself for who I am and thankful for what I’ve been thru because it has made me the person I am but I am excited about the person I am choosing to become and learning how to enjoy the journey too. Thank you and God Bless!
Your message is uplifting for people in every situation because it really is all in our minds. I admire your strengths and I worry that given the same challenges I would not do as well. You have shared the key with us, however. It helps me to understand that everything worthwhile is able to be accomplished when we find our motivations and quit choosing to be victims.
Chad!
You are such an inspiration to those who aspire to inspire others. May your gift continue to grow in the coming year.
Thanks for your powerful reminders.
Sonny.
Yes Paul keep on a dreaming!!!
I’m loving this Livefyre! Thanks Randy!
Thank you for joining the call Trish. Thank you for your comments. I hope you have an awesome 2012!
Thank you Diane!
Wow thank you Sonny!!!!