Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Toxic positivity is a real thing. In fact, just the other day I was listening to a well-known “influencer” giving the classic line… “just think positive”. Ok sure, this might work for the person who is annoyed because someone cut them off in line at the grocery store. But say that to someone who is in the midst of actual suffering…….. not so much. And therefore, I won’t. You know, tell you to just “think positive” and all your problems will go away.
Spoiler alert, there is no “gratitude practice”, “reframing”, “mantra”, “affirmation”, – insert any number of “positivity hack”- that is going to make your problems go away. In fact, there is a high probability that if you are part of this community, you will wake up tomorrow and you will still have mobility issues due to some form of neurologic injury.
But here is the thing…. It doesn’t define you. It’s not your identity. And this thought stream is what separates the high achievers from the rest.
Enter Nick Vujicic…..
Nick Vujicic is a public speaker who was born with no arms and no legs. Talk about “bad things happening to good people”. An infant is ALL “good”. And I can’t think of something more devastating to the human experience than a life without arms and legs. But I digress….
But if you have ever heard Nick speak in person, it is easy to miss the 30 inch box positioning him in sight of the audience. Why? Because that is not the most important part of his story. Yes, he has no arms and no legs. And yes, I can only imagine that his day to day challenges are immense.
And….
“Do you know why I love God? Because Heaven is real. And one day, when we get to Heaven, we are going to have arms and legs. And we are going to run, and we are going to play, and we are going to race.”
Despite being born with no arms and no legs Nick has chosen a different story than the one you or I might suspect. It is a story of hope, enthusiasm, and yes, future arms and legs.
We were made to spend eternity with God in heaven. Where there is no sickness, disability, mental illness, poverty…etc.
And…..
“I’m officially disabled, but I’m truly enabled because of my lack of limbs. My unique challenges have opened up unique opportunities to reach so many in need.”
Purpose is what gives life meaning. And a life of meaning can enable us to endure almost any circumstance.
And….
“The biggest temptation I believe is to feel comfortable, to feel like you’ve worked through all of that here on Earth, and are satisfied with this life.”
An argument can be made that maybe we were never meant to be completely satisfied here on earth.
And……
God is good, but we live in a world that contains evil. Therefore, trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of life on earth. But there is hope that God is working all things out for the good even if we can’t currently see it. Nick has every reason to focus on the fact that he has no arms and no legs. Yet he doesn’t.
And therefore….
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
What is true, excellent, and praiseworthy?
Some things are “fixed” and some things are “fluid”.
You were most likely NOT born with no arms and no legs.
You have a neurologic system that is adaptive and can rewire when presented with new experiences.
You can most likely move from point “A” to point “B” without the use of a wheelchair.
If you are in a wheelchair, you have a means to get from point “A” to point “B”.
You have someone in your life who cares about you and wants good things for you (if you don’t, you have this community!)
God is the creator of the universe. And he created you to do good work. This is NOT “magical thinking”.
Why do bad things happen to good people? We aren’t supposed to have all the answers. This is what keeps us humble. Merriam Webster defines humility as freedom from pride and arrogance. Humility may be what keeps us in a deficiency (of knowledge) that can only be filled by our creator who is our strength in all circumstances, all situations, on all occasions.
“God’s grace is sufficient for you, for his power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Disease, illness, health crises etc…..do not discriminate “good people” from “bad people”. Some very good people will face catastrophic illness. And some very bad people will live a long life free of disease. For better or for worse, this is true.
But here is the greater truth…. There is something greater going on in the world that we will never see or understand until we are on the other side of eternity. And it is greater and more beautiful than anything we could ever hope or imagine.
Money can’t heal your heart. Money can’t give you purpose. I don’t want arms and legs, I want purpose. I don’t want arms and legs, I want peace. I don’t want arms and legs, I want to be a miracle for someone else.
Nick Vujicic
What an amazing truth spoken here 😌🙏🏼 and it will be realized by all in due time
Yes it will 😊
Okay
DOC:
Good morning, off the cuff,i get write to it; at the risk of being ‘flagged for flagrant flattery’ permit me to sayYour greeting and gracious welcome to your community: has offered a bounty of-opportunity for those challenged with mobility issues as you provide a substitute for a box of tissues , oops sorry about that!
rhyme and alliteration are my PUN-ishment.
i address-nick through your musings,
My experiences through this recently adjusted journey of mine has lead to those closest to me to observe how i have changed!
“In that i am more spiritual. “I respond with well you didn’t really know me! Maybe because now i voice it more!
If i could recite the many encounters that i have experienced since:
“The sunny morning “
My life slipped it’s mooring
And the inner voice began roaring
And my hopes sent to soaring
Because life is never boring!
Emotions warring with the inner Why me?:
Lost a sea
Just a rhyme:
A gob’s*. sob
This lonliness won’t stop calling me to the edge of darkness
ONE Toe over the rail of the abyss
Head bowed in a blank stare nobody hears the salty tear,
ONE hand on a frayed rope
Fresh out of hope
Can’t let go;
who would know
Nobody to nod hi
Nobody to say bye
Nobody can hear your cry
Nobody knows you gave up and died
Nobody remembers the knots you tied
Nobody felt all of your little sighs
To want to live would be a lie
must have reason to be alive
Floating in the grey sea of despair
Seems like home-offers little to compare
So beware the glistening tear
Is his salty goodbye to the hearts last throb
That housed this briny old gob
Thank god nobody hears his sob
He looks for strength in this last length
Of time and he laughs at his rhyme even at the bell’s last chime
Oh how sublime
This final line
The darkness broken by a phone ring
Finally his heart can sing
the song
that he belongs
to that race
Of men That share this place
Where spirit finally has a face
Not just a voice floating in space
Oh come lord Drape this coarse skin of canvas with the lace
Of your grace
Gtc2023
Sometimes we must remember; under the crusty exterior of a barnacle covered useless wreck lies the floating atoms of tiny unseen hopeful dreams of life
SO; avoid the storm we can’t endure; AND endure the storm we can’t avoid;
Because life isn’t ALWAYS Flowers, puppies, sunshine,smiles and rainbows?
Luck favors those who are prepared. You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice; through endurance we conquer:
changing one’s mindset from “VICTIM to SURVIVOR” means everything to the individual. And now the outcome: begs a reexamination by the survivor of his part along his voyage: let me know if the gratitude ever leaves my attitude
Is’t just a sappy platitude but i got more if you give me latitude;
There, i hope made you smile!
*gob a (seaman)
They say there is “purpose in pain and suffering”
Whoever they are never suffered in pain – i quess
Thanks again for this forum of community and your gracious understanding of the entire person 😉
Cherish every step and “sing your song”
Thank you so much for your weekly wisdom and encouragement. You are a blessing to this community. 🙏
Beautiful. I had a stork. I work at every day- 7 months. My leg, and my arm, and I have aphasia. I ‘m speaking now ( slowly- I have consider each word as I speak), My arm is slow but I got my shoulder back, and just now- my elbow. ) I walk but with a walker, and I get very very tired. I have a foot that bends in. I ‘m working on it. I know that I have faith.
Thank you for sharing Donna! What aphasia 🤷🏻♀️ I understand every word! You are doing amazing! Keep going!
Stroke. Sorry.
Tara, thank you for all you do for this community of people dealing with traumatic brain injury be it stroke or something different thank you for continuing to support us and encourage us to strive for more in our journeys God Bless!!
Thank you for reading and taking the time to leave this kind message. I couldn’t do what I do without all of you and of course God. I am just grateful to be His vessel
It is so good to hear someone in the medical profession voice that God is at the center of all this. I have had MS for 10 years and I know God led me to your site a few years back for a reason. You have taught me so much and I continue to regain my gait due to your being a vessel of His goodness. May God continue to bless you and your work!
I praise God that He has been able to use me to strengthen you. Thank you for reading my words and taking the time to encourage me to continue to allow Him to use me.
Doc;
WE ARE NEVER MORE OURSELVES THAN WHEN WE ARE HELPING OTHERS!
Let no-day pass
that you do not say a cheery or encouraging word…”
if a poem does anything it should at least provide power pause and prayer as well as promise and praise of people that have preceeded us along this pathway.
I have made it a nauseating response to any queries about my condition to say “ i am hopeful, patient and thankful”
OUR PROBLEMS seem to FADE WHEN WE INVOLVE OURSELVES IN ANOTHERS’ BOTHERS
And as hard as it is for me to understand, i struggle to see why; what has happened to me,may have been for the benefit and growth of those around me!
Truly we are all in this community of humanity
peeking through the mist of insanity
gripped by the profanity
and amazed at the lack of sanctity
In search of lucidity and purity
of purpose:
We WILL NEVER KNOW
HOW low a soul CAN GO
BEFORE A THERAPIST TAKES THE TIME
TO listen to a SILLY RYHME
ABOUT DAYS PAST
OF MEN AND MASTS
Ever A kind word floats the spirit to RALLY
When we see god’s Angels too busy to DALLY
Always eager TO relieve the world’s HURT
Never curt:
SO answer your call
because people will always fall
Put work before play;
no delay
For time doesn’t linger
Slippery Like water thru the fingers
invite the light
TO CALM ANY FRIGHT
Can’t ask the gods why?
the messages float From the sky
can’t smirk
or shirk GODS’ Orders to work
To gain
life without pain
So trust the one that
provides the lesson
To greet the mission
Provide more reason
Through every season
to live on with bliss
So know this;
we will always savor
Tara as our therapist of favor
In our little neighborhood
May God bless
And Feel his caress
never guess
About our place
To share his grace
From above and
his Heavenly love.
Gtc2024
Thank you for blessing me and this community. Your words are bringing hope and inspiration! For that I am truly grateful 🙏