There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. – Nelson Mandala
Call it energy, strength, motivation, attitude, spirit, drive, power… those are all great buzz words and often they are presented as traits to strive for.
I remember the first time my life changed in a major way. I was in my early twenties. I was involved in a serious near fatal car accident. A school bus rear-ended my car and rode up over the passenger side roof of the car practically crushing that side of the car to the ground. I can still remember the crunching sound of the impact, the engine of the bus and the chards of flying glass hitting the back of my head and neck like it was yesterday. I was lucky to get out alive.
Painful rehabilitation followed in an attempt to mend the injuries from the accident. After months and months of therapy I met with my doctor to discuss my progress and “new-normal” going forward. He came into the room, closed the door and sat down. After a series of questions and a few basic tests he looked at me and delivered the news.
He told me that I needed to continue my physical therapy program however my insurance would no longer cover the expense. He offered two choices. I could deal with life as is and take prescription meds to help live with the pain or continue to exercise on my own and work to get stronger. I remember that moment, it was all up to me.
I was scared, I was in pain and I could barely imagine trying to get stronger on my own. After a few moments of silence I looked up, fought back the tears and told the doc that I decided to skip the pain meds and pass on settling for only a partial recovery. I wanted more so I decided to try getting stronger by continuing to exercise on my own.
MOMENT defined!
When I made that decision and committed myself to it, I claimed victory over fear. I realize now that it was the decision itself that was the victory and that the outcome was merely the reward. I went on to recover well beyond the initial prognosis. In fact i pushed my recovery to the limit. I not only got stronger I took back my health and the life I thought I might have lost.
Now it’s your turn!
Whether you’re in a situation at work or at a point in a relationship where you need to make a decision, it’s time. Regardless of the situation or the relationship, the decision to move forward is ultimately up to you. Start now, own the moment and make a decision. Have faith in yourself and waste no time looking back, for history is static and only that which you have now, the present is fluid. Don’t settle for a life that is less than the one you are ultimately capable of living and enjoying. Trust yourself and remember, it’s not the fall that matters, it’s the decision itself that really counts the most.
Don’t just let life happen to you, happen back to life.
