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Living with a brain injury can leave us feeling like we are “stuck” in time and that we are simply “spinning” our wheels. “Stuck” in time and “spinning” our wheels striving to not be impacted of our brain injuries.
In response we may strive all the more, or we may want to give up because we feel stuck in “time”. Stuck in our lives, well-beings and relationships.
But there is Hope. We can Stop “Spinning” and “Feeling” Stuck
Yesterday, I finished creating my newest poster to share some quotes and
an illustration. Quotes and an illustration to share what I learned that
helped me to stop “spinning” my wheels and feeling “stuck” in time.
Yield Signs are Not Stop Signs
What I discovered was that I no longer had to spin my wheels or be stuck
by time. Instead, I could use my energy and time in an empowering way.
Although my brain injury put up many yield signs; during my lifetime, I am glad that I did not see them as stop signs.
What Helped me to Stop “Spinning” my Wheels and Feeling “Stuck” in Time
In my experience, I found that I needed to grieve what I was powerless to change. Powerless to change to move forward.
I Needed to Grieve to Move Forward
My Grieving Process — Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
By grieving what I could not change, I confronted my denial over what I was powerless to change — the impact of my brain injury.
After I confronted and challenged my denial, I became angry anger because of what I was powerless to change.
My anger motivated me to start to challenge and disprove what I was powerless to change — and I failed. bargaining
When I realized that no matter how hard I tried, I could not change the impact of my brain Injury, I experienced depression.
When reality sank in I began to experience an acceptance of what I was powerless to change.
Finding Freedom from Spinning my Wheels and from Feeling Stuck in Time
As I began to accept what I could not change. I realized that I no longer needed to feel like I was spinning my wheels or that I was stuck in time because of my brain injury.
I began to realize that I could do something to enhance my life, well-being and relationships.
In my awareness and acceptance over what I was powerless to change, I began to examine. I began to examine (with the help of a loving God) how I could use my gifts, talents and abilities.
Use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that would work for me. In the process I discovered that I alone needed to figure out what would work for me, through trial and error experiments.
Grieving what I could not Change Opened the Door
Note: It took me another 7 more years. Took 7 more years; after I grieved what I could not change, before I was able to stop feeling like I was spinning my wheels and that I was stuck in time. Before I was able to begin using my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that worked for me.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison
“Don’t quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can’t see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It’s the one that makes the sweetest sound.” Simon Sineck
To Move Forward
I also discovered that all the experiments that I made on the way to discovering what worked for me were valuable. The experiments (writing poems, an autobiography and a book) all helped me to develop as a writer. All helped me to build a foundation upon which I continue to build through Second Chance to Live.
My Encouragement to You
In the event that you feel stuck in time because of your brain injury, grieve what you are powerless to change. Open the door to possibilities. Create hope; by faith, a little at a time. And as you create, remember that nothing is a waste of time. A waste of time in your search to find a way that will work for you.
“Nothing is a waste of time, if you use the experience wisely.” Auguste Rodin
“We must be willing to let go of the life that we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell
Give yourself as much time as you need to make as many experiments as you need. You will make more progress than you realize by sticking to the process and by not giving up. You will be rewarded by all the experiments that you make. That you make on the way to finding a way that will work best for you.
“Life is a journey and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” Peter Hagerty
“If you take responsibility for yourself, you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams.” Les Brown
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