Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friend. I am happy to have you back around my table. Several days ago I wrote an article Denial and Brain Injury Recovery. In that article, I spoke about how denial (mine, family and friends) kept me stuck. Denial kept me focused on matters that were out of my control. Matters that I was powerless to change. In yesterday's … [Read more...]
Fulfilling Dreams after Brain Injury
Before our brain injuries, dreams for the future may have seemed bright. Following our brain injuries, those dreams may now seem out of reach. What once seemed attainable, may no longer appear to be realistic. Through my recovery process I discovered that although life may have changed forever, I do not have to give up on my dreams. Although the way in which I once followed my bliss has changed, I do not have to give up on my bliss.
“Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift, you can present with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation, but of the adopted talent you only have a half-possession…Do that which is assigned to you, and you can not hope too much or dare too much.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What I discovered gave me hope. What I discovered helped me to realize that I could follow my passion in a different way. In a way that would give me the ability to pursue and achieve my passion. My passion to encourage people to not give up on their dreams. In a way that would give me a medium to use my gifts, talents and abilities. In a way that would work for me. In a way that would be received by the people who wanted what I had to bring to the table.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs
The articles in this category are written to encourage you to follow your dreams. To follow your dreams in ways that work for you, for the people who want what you have to bring to the table. To the table of life. So, be encouraged and don't give up. You will find a way to use your gifts, talents and abilities. Your limitations do not have to limit you. You can find a way that will work for you. You can create with your life and change your world. Only believe and put action behind your belief.
Permission to Be Different
In life, there are many forces that want to convince us that unless we conform, we are nothing. Going along to get along can leave us feeling as though we do not have a voice. Having and living with a visible or an invisible disability can further lead us to believe that being different needs to be denied or defended. Being different and unable to change our realities can … [Read more...]
Living with a Brain Injury and What Might Have Been?
Recently a friend asked a question that many of us who have experienced a brain injury have asked at some point in time, "Have you ever thought about what might have been if you had not experienced a brain injury?". I thought his question was relevant to many of us asking, "Why?" and What Might Have Been?; that I decided to write this article to share part of my answer … [Read more...]
Carolina Panthers, Procedural Memory and Excellence
I am a Carolina Panther fan. If you are a fan of some other NFL team this article is about speaking to a principle, not about the Carolina Panthers. I am using their success thus far, 8 - 0; half way through the season. As I have watched each game, I have noted the remarkable timing that each player has executed relative to their specific positions on the team. As each player … [Read more...]
What may Be Limiting You — Self-Talk
I have been thinking about how self-talk affects my mood. I find that I need to be diligent to notice what I am telling myself, about myself'; and my experience. In May of 2007 I wrote an article Who is limiting you? in which I shared a list of limiting scripts. Scripts, like those that an actor uses in a play or a movie that set the stage for how we live our lives. Unlike an … [Read more...]
