Last post Thu, Apr 24 2008 10:07 PM by LoganMagazine. 4 replies.
Yesterday I wrote a post, Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of It and thought I would include the post below to generate discussion. You and I are confronted with our own “it”, our unique “it” because we are unique people. The way in which we chose to address our “it” invariably will impact the quality of our lives. Although we may feel stuck because of our “it”, the good news is that we do not have to remain stuck or immobilized by our “it”. Instead, you and I can be empowered to look for resplendent solutions that will significantly empower our lives, so that we can live the life we have imagined. Our “it” will consequently become our catalyst.
We have the power to choose. We can choose to focus on our “it” in the land of “Poor Me” or we can choose to look for solutions in the land of “Possibility Me”.
I want to open up the discussion with a few of the questions that I have asked myself. One of the first questions that I need to ask myself when I am feeling stuck is, “Are you focusing on the problem or are you looking for a solution?” Secondly, I need ask myself, “Are you willing to look for a solution?” If I am having a hard time being willing, I can ask the God of my understanding to help me to become willing. As I become willing — which many times comes after I have become sick and tired of being sick and tired of getting similar results — I begin to look for solutions. Through being honest with myself I can begin to ask myself pointed questions. Below are several of those questions.
What is the “it” in my life? Why are you focusing on your “it”? What can I do about my “it”? What practical steps can I take to empower my life? What solutions can be applied to my particular “it”? How can I enhance the quality of my life because of my “it”? In my experience, I have learned to ask questions and do my research. Are there resources that I need to use to help me live and thrive because of my “it”? I have also found that the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease. Persistence and tenacity pays huge dividends. Consequently, at times I have had to keep knocking on the same door.
Now that I have shared some of the questions I have asked myself, I would encourage you to sit down with a piece of paper and a pen and begin to ask yourself some of the same questions. The answers to those questions may be different for you my friend. The exercise is to encourage and motivate you to realize that your circumstances are not meant to keep you down, but they are meant to build you up. As you are honest with yourself, your answers will come. You will find practical solutions. Your solutions will lead you to live the life that you have imagined.
Traumatic Brain Injury and the Power of “It”
Posted by secondchancetolive on December 2, 2007
Hi, and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. You are always welcome at my table. I have been thinking about a simple, but profound truth. Each day, actually every hour, in every minute we have the power to chose. You and I can make a decision to learn to live because of the “it” that is our lives. When I accept “It is as It is” in my life, I can begin to learn to live through the power of choice, because of the power of “it”. Several years ago I read a quote and found a renewed sense of hope. We no longer need to remain stuck in a place of helplessness or hopelessness because we have the power of “it”. “If you do not like something, change it, if you can not change it, change the way you think about it.”
Because we are created to be empowered beings, you and I can make the decision to accept what “is” and then make a decision to thrive in or through whatever “it” may be in our lives. You may think or believe “it” is meant for your harm. I have good news; you and I are because of our “it”. Please read, Following your bliss…regardless. The “it” in our circumstances may appear to be unfair because we may be stuck in a box of expectation – expectation for ourselves or because of the expectations that people have for us. The good news is that you and I were not created to be a doing that strives to meet or measure up to anyone’s expectation for us. Our “it” does not have to fit into the box of anyone’s expectations. Our destinies call to us through our “it”. “It” has been given to us as a gift for our good.
Be encouraged my friend, you and I have been created to thrive because of our “it”. We have been created to run our own race because of our “it”. There is no need to compare our “it” to anyone else’s “it”, because those individuals can not run our race. Your and my “it” conditions us to live the life that we have imagined so that we can dream again. The “it” in our lives becomes the threshold that prepares you and I to be who we have been created to be in this life. Our essence is made manifest through our “it”. Your and my “it” sets us free to excel through our creative capacity. Our creative uniqueness is enhanced because of our “it”. The “it” in our lives prepares you and I to be. You and I are equipped to live our destinies because of the strengths that we develop through the power of our “it”.
Final Thought: As an individual who has lived with an invisible disability for over 40 years I completely understand how our “it” can appear daunting and overwhelming at times. Apart from a positive perspective any traumatic brain injury survivor could easily give up on their process, a loving God and on themselves. Remember that with everything there is a learning curve. Please read my posts, Traumatic Brain Injury and the Elephant and The Measure of a Champion.
My motivation is to encourage, motivate and empower not to minimize or marginalize what you are experiencing. Your struggle is real, but that is not the end of the story. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. As we keep moving and do not give up on our process, on a loving God and or on ourselves, before long we will be able to look back and see how far we have come.
Table Topics for the Soul – Journey to the Heart. © Copyright 2006 Registration #: TXu1-330-434 — all rights reserved
Hi Michael,
Thank you for leaving a comment. I received your comment yesterday afternoon. We are learning as we go. I am learning to use what works best for me. As you have done with your life, I have found that many times -- actually most times, if not all of the times -- I have succeeded in life because I did not give up. Success is not defined by how many times we fall down, but by how many times we get back up when we fall down. I learn best through repetition and I hope that I am remapping my brain -- in the process and in such a way -- to achieve far beyond my present potential. The wonderful reality is that I do not have to lean on my own understanding. Instead, I can draw upon the infinite and transcend my limited capacity to know what is best for my life or the lives of people that I seek to empower. Our gifts are not of us, but through us. We are merely conduits of the grace of God. God has the big picture and we can trust the process. More will be revealed.
Please stay in touch with me my friend.
Craig
Ive had a TBI for16 months, I just came here and read your stories. It is sad that I to have to do things at "my pace" I guess I still wonder what if????? Mine is a long story and dont mean to hijack this thread.I am new here and not sure of this whole thing! It was nice to read, through someone elses eyes......and it was like reading through mine. Take care all, peace on earth.
Hi my name is Logan........ I sustained a brain injury at age 16 due to cardiac arrest. "It" took me three weeks to open my eyes. "It" took me a year to relearn how to breath, swallow, sit, talk, tie my own shoes, and walk w/ a walker.
"It"was a trip to go back to school with to relearn how to type and read. It took me two years to go back to High School, my friends had already graduated. I had many pivotal moments, am I going to stay in a "woe" is me place or am I going to LIVE.
I searched the web back then looking for hope and tips for my now what questions. I wanted to order a cool magazine.
So, while I'm relearning how to use scissors and glue in OT, I start collaging a magazine together.
Wishing I could have ordered one.
A magazine that talked about things I liked and needed. My new special ed teachers saw my prototype and said "Logan!" you can really do this. They pointed me to services that might help me with a self employment plan. My mom helped me go to all the appointments, we had to deal with frustrations and road blocks. I started to see and know what the word "advocate" meant. My family helped me with a business plan, cold calls for help, driving me to meetings.
Now because of "IT" I'm the founder and creative director of Logan Magazine. I needed a lot of help, but with help I am able to publish a fashion and lifestyle magazine for people with disabiliies!
I've met so many wonderful people, families, and businesses. I am amazed at what you can do with "IT!"
LO
