Do What You Love Despite Your Brain Injury
A brain injury is only an event, it is not a definition of what you or I have to contribute. Do what you love in ways that will work for you. Work for you, despite the impact of your brain injury, your deficits and your limitations.
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” Robert Frost
I originally wrote the article, “The Parable of the Cracked Pot” on July 16, 2009 to encourage all of us to do what we love. Do what we love despite the changes in our lives after our brain injuries. Below I will share a revision of that article. May you, like me, be encouraged to do what you love!!!
More Will be Revealed, so Don’t Give Up!
“Ideas do not always come in a flash but by diligent trial-and-error experiments that take time and thought.” Charles K. Kao
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and when you have found that attitude, follow it.” William James
“Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s okay. You’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.” Banksy
Getting Started
“Big things have small beginnings.” Prometheus
“Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s very hard” John Bytheway
“Believe in yourself, go after your dreams, and don’t let anyone put you in a box.” Daya
“Sometimes we become so focused on the finish line, that we fail to find joy in the journey.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming task into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” Mark Twain
“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new-ending.” Carl Bard
“We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.” Robin S. Sharma
Hope, Encouragement and the Parable of the Cracked Pot
Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. I am happy to see that you decided to stop by to visit with me. I am honored by your presence. Earlier this evening I felt led to share the parable of the cracked pot with a group of my friends.
The message of the cracked pot appeared to have a profound impact on several of my friends.
I am not sure who is the author of the parable of the cracked pot, however to the author I would like to say thank you. You are a very wise person.
Because the message of the parable is so very powerful, I decided to share the Parable of the Cracked Pot with you. As you read the parable, may you be encouraged to just be … yourself.
The Parable of the Cracked Pot
A Water Bearer in India had two large pots; each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pot’s full of water in his master’s house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”
“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”
Be Encouraged My Friend (mine)
Parable continued:
“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts.” The pot said.
The Water Bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion, he said, “As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.
I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.
Today’s Thought
We may have bought into the notion that our lives are too are cracked to be of use. We may find ourselves comparing our vessels to other vessels. We may be experiencing shame and sadness because we see ourselves as failures. In the process, we may have developed a fear of failure.
Consequently, we may be thinking about giving up.
We may want to give up trying to make a difference. We may be saying to ourselves, “What’s the use in me trying anyway and anymore?”. To that I would say, please continue to read.
Because of You
Because of you and I, people take risks.
Because of you and I, people are being set free.
Because of you and I, people have an advocate.
Because of you and I, people believe in miracles.
Because of you and I, people learn to trust…again.
Because of who you and I, dreams are becoming reality.
Because of you and I, people’s prayers are being answered.
Because of you and I, people choose to get up…one more time.
Because of you and I, people learn to love and be loved…again.
Because of you and I, people are be drawn to the light of God’s love.
Without you and I being the way we are — to some — hope would be lost.
Because of you and I, people are blooming and blossoming as they create.
Because of you and I, destinies are being birthed and possibilities realized.
Because you and I, people that our lives touch are encouraged to not give up.
Without you and I, being just the way we are, hope would only remain a concept.
Because of you and I, people are inspired to pursue new opportunities and fresh possibilities.
So, When You Remember
So, when you remember or someone else reminds you of your crack (s) in your pot, be encouraged.
Because of you, people in your life may have already given up.
Rejoice that cracks exist in your pot, for without your cracks, the flowers would not grow.
Without you the people, along your path may never be “watered” to experience hope in their lives.
“Don’t judge your day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson
So, Do what You Love
Do what you love. Do what you love in ways that will work for you. And you will be used in ways that you may never have imagined. One day at a time.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“No one can take my passion (not even a disability) because my passion to express myself through my gifts, talents and abilities resides within me.” Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
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