The greatest thing about being alive is the opportunities we have right in front of us every day.
Some take advantage of the time, while others waste it away. The world is out there, just waiting for the next visionary to take the necessary steps to help change the course of history. Think of at least one person, living or deceased, who has changed the course of history – perhaps a civil rights leader, like Rosa Parks, the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein or a peaceful leader, like Gandhi. Whoever you have pictured put yourself in their shoes. Could you imagine what they experienced during their time?
Never give up on the chance to see what you are capable of!
The last few years of my life has taught me many things; including what one person, with a determined mind can accomplish. The Lord gave me a body capable of anything; not a ‘swimmer body’, but I make due with what I have. My friends will joke that if I lost the use of my legs, I would pull myself along the way. If I lost my vision, I would continue on into the dark. If I lost my hearing, I would endure into the silence, and if I lost the use of one of my arms, I would continue to pull with the other. Despite whatever struggle you face, adjust and use ‘good’ and disregard the bad.
The key is that we all have ‘injuries’ in life – some are physical and some are mental, or both. We sometimes cannot leave the past behind us, and continue to allow it to haunt us each and every day. We purposely put up roadblocks that make the road ‘that much harder’. Why? Because we are afraid of the journey, and know there might be some uncertainty, pain or anguish involved. We would rather just sit on the sidelines and ‘let someone else do it’, or give every reason why we cannot accomplish what our mind wishes we would attempt.
I do not want praise for my accomplishment, because this journey is not about me. If you have been inspired by my mission, than I want examples of what you are choosing to do to make yours and those lives around you better-
I want to hear about the first 5K you are training for;
I want to hear about your day delivering food to a needy family;
I want to hear about your work giving guidance to a child who needs it.
I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DREAM!
I accomplished something amazing – I gave those families at the hospital an opportunity for continued love and support. I gave hope to a mother losing it, and faith to a father at his braking point. I gave what I could in order for them to live a better day as a family.
You see, this journey had NOTHING to do with swimming, and EVERYTHING to do with using whatever we have been given to help make a difference in this world. There is a reason I have not failed at these challenges – because I do not see failure in my life. I do not picture what could happen, but will happen. This is the single key to success – believe that anything is possible, and have amazing family and friends supporting every step you take!
You want to do something amazing? It won’t be easy, and I can promise it will hurt. You will fall down, hit walls and feel like you cannot go another step. Life will beat you down to your knees and keep you there if you allow it. Grit your teeth, clench your first and let out your ‘war cry’. Smile in the face of opposition and laugh when it sometimes can try to get the best of you – know that will never happen. Find your motivation, and run with it. Remember those we have lost, and why we live each day for them. You have NOTHING to fear.
There is only one thing that can possible stop you from accomplishing your dream-
…LOOK IN THE MIRROR.