To watch and listen to a video presentation of this article, you may click on this link, Acceptance after Brain Injury is Not a Resignation to a Second Rate Life Video Presentation
Today, I would like to share some very good news with you.
Acceptance after brain injury is not a resignation to a second rate life.
Instead, a brain injury opens the door to possibilities once hidden to you and to me.
Why I am writing this Article
Yesterday, I received a comment from a member in response to an article that I wrote, “Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of Acceptance – Part 1”.
The Comment
In the members’ comment, they said that “acceptance” is a resignation under a “nicer title”. It is accepting a “second rate life” than the one I had before my brain injury. The member said acceptance is not an attitude that I can embrace. They said the reason they could not embrace acceptance was that they could not have their life back. The life that they had before their brain injury.
I am not sharing the members comment to focus on the member but to focus on the perspective.
My Response to the Comment
I understand as I too wanted what I thought I had worked so hard to attain for many years. Nor did I think that it was fair that things were not happening the way I hoped. The way I had worked so hard to prepare.
In my experience, I had to get to a place of pain in my life. I had to get to a place of pain in my life to be able to let go.
To be able to let go of trying to make things work for me. To make things work for me that I could not change.
When I realized that I could not do more to be able to do what I could not do.
Acceptance is not resignation. My accepting my reality does not relegate me to live a second rate life. Instead, acceptance opens the door to unlimited possibilities.
Try Something Different to Get Different Results
The good news is that we do not have to stay stuck. Instead, we can grieve what we cannot be changed. By grieving what can not be changed we are then free to explore. Explore how we can get different results.
The Good News
I discovered that I did not have to figure things out on my own. I can ask for help. I can ask a loving God to guide and direct me each step along the way. Along the way to developing and using my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that would work for me.
In ways that work for me to live my dreams through my passion.
Quotes that Inspire Acceptance after Brain Injury
This first quote encourages me to look at my circumstances in a empowering way.
“I am thankful for my struggle, because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.” Alex Elle
The next quote reminds me of the vast ability that I truly possess.
“If you do not like something, change it. If you can not change it, change the way that you think about it.” Mary Engelbreit
The next quote reminds me to not give up because one door or more doors have closed.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
The next quote encourages me to examine my passion. What I really like to do with my time. And then reseach how to use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me. And as I learn how to use what works for me, I am free to create.
“Research your own experience. Absorb what I useful. Reject what is useless. And add specifically what is your own creation.” Bruce Lee
The last quote encourages me to not give up on my dreams.
“If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and endeavor to live the life that you have imagined…you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
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So many people say Wow! They just can’t believe I ever had a TBI. I really don’t like it when people say that I was LUCKY! Luck had nothing to do with it….It was all VERY HARD WORK! From learning to SIT UP (all by myself), to trying not to talk so fast (My Dr. told me to TALK SLOWER, I told him to LISTEN FASTER!), to getting rid of my wheelchair, then cane, then my “wide gait”, to being able to do the “model walk” for short distances, to actually being able to comprehend what I read (That was a BIGGIE!), TBI recovery doesn’t happen overnight & sometimes Short-Term Memory doesn’t last overnight either!
I agree, Joyce. Brain injury recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no magic potions or silver bullets. It just takes time and work. A whole lot of time and work. But the journey is worth the process and the results. One day at a time. Great work on your recovery path, Joyce. Dedication and persistence. You are an inspiration.