We all hear about amazing people who have overcome great obstacles in their lives. No one ever said life was going to be easy, yet how challenging it turns out often can be transformed by our own attitude. We have just seen a wonderfully uplifting and moving video about Nick Vijick (don't miss it, the link is below).
This extraordinary man, now 25 years old, can dive, play golf, fish, skipper a small boat, has sparkly eyes and a huge smile, yet he was born with no arms and no legs, just a small flap he uses as a foot. He also gives powerfully inspiring talks to teary-eyed children and adults that completely transform them. He has spoken in over 15 countries and to over 2 million people.
Watching Nick, who has overcome adversity that most of us will never come near to experiencing, leaves us in awe and invites us to confront thoughts we might have that we are inadequate, useless, or even incapable, and moments we have felt awkward, overweight, too short or too tall. We make our own, often small, issues appear so big that they easily dominate our behavior.
We cannot always choose what happens in life but we can choose to respond with either fear or love, with anger or with acceptance. We can't control the wind but we can adjust our sails.
Someone like Nick inspires us to accept ourselves just as we are, warts and all, and to see that despite the flaws we are actually beautiful. His optimistic and heartfelt attitude frees us from feeling repulsed by him, as he is ok with who he is, just as he is. It is eye-opening that we need to hear this from someone who has so obviously struggled before we can believe it for ourselves, but when we truly get that life is a blessing, no matter how hard it might be, then we are honoring that struggle.
At times, we can easily resent what life has given us. We focus on what we don't have or what we can't do, which brings us down and deflates our energy. Instead, it is necessary to focus on what we do have and what we can do and to feel gratitude for this. If we believe it's impossible it's impossible, if we believe it's possible it is definitely possible! As Nick says, "It's a lie to think we are not good enough or not worthy of anything. Attitude is altitude!"
Each one of us may get a different number of days, months and years to live, we may have different issues we have to deal with that shape our life, but we need never give up. It's all about making the effort to get up and keep going. If we get up just one more time than we fall, then we can never fail. Optimism is a high-voltage power tool to have in your life skills toolbox, for optimists know how to bounce back, how to see difficulties as only temporary setbacks. Know you can't miss!
To be inspired by Nick, WATCH:
Or try this meditation to accept yourself more deeply, just as you are:
Sacred Space Meditation
Find a comfortable place to sit with your back straight, settle your body, take a few deep breaths and close your eyes.
Now begin to develop a deep appreciation for yourself. You are not trying to change anything, just being with yourself as you are. Breathe in appreciation; breathe our joy.
As you breathe in and out, silently repeat: "My body is a sacred space, my breath gives me life, my mind is at ease, my heart is filled with love."
Practice for as long as you like, then take a deep breath and let it go.
How could you change you attitude toward difficulties in your life? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs every Tuesday by checking Become a Fan at the top.
You can learn more in our award-winning book: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World, or from our three meditation CD's.
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Enjoy our Friday weekly blogs on Oprah.com/spirit
Our latest book won the 2010 Nautilus Gold Book Award: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors Marianne Williamson, Jane Fonda, Ram Dass, Byron Katie, Michael Beckwith, Debbie Ford, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Seane Corn, Ellen Burstyn and others.
Our 3 meditation CD's: Metta--Loving kindness and Forgiveness; Samadhi-Breath Awareness and Insight; and Yoga Nidra-Inner Conscious Relaxation, are available at: www.EdandDebShapiro.com