Please read Part 1 and Part 2 for context. Thank you.
In Parts 1 and 2 I shared with you how I applied the principle of making adjustments to a situation that created both sadness and disappointment. I grieved my loss, resolved in my mind and heart what I could not do and then adjusted my perspective, focus and intention. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue excellence instead of a black belt.
Instead of focusing on what I could not do, I determined to pursue what I could do pursue my dream. By making the decision to focus on what I could do — I made the decision to move forward as a marital artist.
In your life you may have events that have created sadness and disappointment. You may feel stuck and isolated because you have given up hope. My encouragement to you — my friend — is to grieve your loss (s) and then move forward. Resolve in your mind and your heart what you can not do and then adjust your perspective, focus and intention.
You may have wanted to accomplish specific dreams, but some things may be out of your control. The good news is that we do not have to remain stuck in our sadness and disappointment We do not have to stay isolated, but we can have hope. We can move forward. We can decide to take advantage of opportunities. We can pursue our dreams. We can determine to be our best selves by the grace of God and hard work. We can pursue excellence.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison
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Did your wisdom come after the TBI or were you pretty well there before? I am using your inspirational words to help a young,TBI patient that is incarcerated.He was tried and convicted of manslaughter after a drunk driving crash that killed his best friend. He went to court in a wheelchair and has severe memory problems and chronic insomnia. He has had no rehabilitation as it does not exist in Ca. prisons. He is strong and determined to do the best job of rehabilitating himself and is walking with a walker and going to school to be retrained. I admire his courage and fortitude in horrible conditions. Your posts are a wonderful tool o keep him motivated. Someone like him not just an old nurse’s advise. Thank you for being there and sharing!!
Hi Polly Anna,
Thank you for writing to me. I noticed that you do not possess or you did not include the url to your web site / web log. Could you please share that information with me? Thank you. I am thrilled to hear that information from Second Chance to Live being used to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope an individual living with a brain injury in the prison system. Thank you for sharing this news with me. Second Chance to Live is all about service. I look forward to continuing to be of service to the men and women living with brain injuries while being incarcerated.
As to your question — I would encourage you to read through my 7 part series My Journey thus Far as the information with in that series will give you some insight into my process Polly Anna. Here is the link to the first part of that series my friend https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/02/18/my-journey-thus-far/. I have included active links to each part of the series at the bottom of each of the parts of the series. That is how I write many of my articles. I explain How to use Second Chance to Live at https://secondchancetolive.org/how-to-use-second-chance-to-live/ which is located amongst the tabs featured on Second Chance to Live.
I would encourage you to read through the titles in my Site Map. Each title has an active link to that actual article. Here is a link to my Site Map Polly Anna https://secondchancetolive.org/site-map/. Many of my articles have traumatic brain injury, living with a disability or living with a brain injury in each of their titles, many other of my articles do not have those words contained with in the title (s). The principles and strategies that I list with in each of my articles contain information that can serve to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope to anyone — not only people living with brain injuries — who have been touched by trauma, abuse or adversity.
My philosophy is that our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up Polly Anna. My experience has taught me that my circumstances, teach me lessons — if I am willing to learn — that prepare me for opportunities that teach me more lessons that prepare me to take advantage of opportunities which lead and point me in the direction of my destiny. I have come to also realize that adversity is merely a switch on the railroad of life that lead me in a direction that I would not otherwise traveled. My experience has taught me that I get to learn how to use my gifts, talents and abilities in ways that work for me. For many years I felt like some one all dressed up with no where to go Polly Anna. I now realize that I was being prepared to follow my passion and my bliss through Second Chance to Live — in ways that work for me.
I would invite you to read my article (s) and then share the information with the young man and others who God brings into your path.
My Focus https://secondchancetolive.org/my-focus/
Traumatic Brain Injury and Denial — My Perspective as a TBI Survivor https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/05/12/traumatic-brain-injury-and-denial-my-perspective-as-a-tbi-survivor/
What is keeping you Stuck? https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/06/07/second-chance-to-live-what-is-keeping-you-stuck/
Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/11/03/traumatic-brain-injury-and-suicide/ A 2 part series
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Identified Patient https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/11/16/traumatic-brain-injury-and-the-identified-patient-%E2%80%93-part-1/ A 2 part series
Traumatic Brain Injury and Thriving as a Square Peg https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/15/traumatic-brain-injury-and-thriving-as-a-square-peg/
Traumatic Brain Injury and Small Successes https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/24/traumatic-brain-injury-and-small-successes/
Second Chance to Live and the Truth about Humiliation and Humility https://secondchancetolive.org/2008/04/28/second-chance-to-live-%E2%80%93-the-truth-about-humiliation-and-humility/
Brain Injury, Self-Esteem, Self-respect and Significance https://secondchancetolive.org/2009/02/03/brain-injury-self-esteem-self-respect-and-significance/
Please remember that all material on Second Chance to Live is Copyright and can not be copied, reproduced or distributed in anyway with out my express written permission. Please see my Resource Box below Polly Anna. Thank you.
Resource Box
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA is the creator and author of Second Chance to Live. Second Chance to Live presents topics to encourage, motivate, empower and provide hope to the reader to live life on life’s terms. Our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up! Please visit Mr. Phillips’ web address at https://secondchancetolive.org/. For an in depth view of his process, please read his 7 part article, My Journey thus Far https://secondchancetolive.org/2007/02/18/my-journey-thus-far/. Please not that All material presented on Second Chance to Live is copyright and cannot be copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written permission and consent of Craig J. Phillips, MRC, BA. Thank you.
I hope the above proves to be helpful. I believe in the power of identification. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask. All questions are good questions Polly Anna.
I will say so long for now. Have a pleasant and rewarding rest of your day and God bless you and your family Polly Anna.
Craig
Craig J. Phillips MRC, BA
Second Chance to Live
http://www.secondchancetolive.wordpress.com
Because our circumstances are not meant to keep us down, but they are meant to build us up!
All material presented on Second Chance to Live is copyright and cannot be copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without the express, written consent of Craig J. Phillips, MRC, BA