Hello my friend and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I want to share a lesson that I learned that has changed my life. Through applying what I have learned from this lesson, I have experienced a wonderful freedom. The freedom has come because I no longer need to find my destiny. My destiny is finding me. For many years I found myself in a conundrum or sorts. I struggled to make sense of the stark contrast of being able to achieve both my undergraduate and graduate degrees, but unable to maintain gainful employment.
Consequently, I felt like a person all dressed up with no where to go. In my frustration I found myself both anxious and bewildered.
My anxiety arose out of my sense of inadequacy and my bewilderment continued because many of the doors that I had opened for me closed shortly there after — despite my hard work and due diligence. In my experience, after years of frustration and bewilderment I reached a place of surrender. I knew that I could no longer live in the endless circle of getting and losing jobs and I knew that the doors hadn’t closed because I didn’t have a good work ethic. On the contrary, I was punctual and a hard worker.
By surrendering to my reality, I was able to accept the things I could not change.
By surrendering to the things I could not change, I stopped fighting against myself. Instead of continuing to use my energy to disprove something that could not be changed — that I am a traumatic brain injury survivor who has limitations and deficits — I was able to explore the possibilities. By realizing that I could not use a specific delivery system — maintaining gainful employment — I discovered that I could share my experience, strength and hope through the written word and through public speaking.
There are so many opportunities in live, that the loss of two or three capabilities is not necessarily debilitating. A handicap can give you the opportunity to focus more on art, writing or music. Jim Davis Cartoonist
When I first started writing and speaking I discovered that I had hidden talents. If it were not for the doors closing in the work force and for my frustration and bewilderment I would never have never have written my first book or my autobiography. I would never have created Second Chance to Live and had the experience of developing relationships with people and organizations around the world. If I had not reached a place of surrender, I would not have explored my hidden talents.
Consequently, I would not have grown as a creator, writer and as a public speaker.
Today’s Thought
My friend, you may have a traumatic / acquired brain injury and those injuries may have limited you in some ways. You may have another disability or be impacted by a life challenging experience. The good news is that those circumstance do not have to limit you or your life. You can surrender to your reality and you can explore the possibilities. You can find ways to channel your creativity capacity. You can learn to use your gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for you.
You can explore the possibilities and you can discover your hidden talents.
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