Motivational Monday

Have you been watching the Olympics?  If you have then you know about the double-amputee runner, Oscar Pistorius.  His story gave me chills and made me tear up.  He epitomizes the idea that anything is possible as long as you work hard and believe in yourself.  Pure inspiration.

He didn't make the Olympic finals.  But, it doesn't matter.  It only matters that he tried.  That he was there.  Because people told him he couldn't.  He proved them wrong and in the process made history.  The first double-amputee sprinter to make it to the Olympics.  He has paved the way for others.  Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Anyway, last week I was caught up in my own pity party.  Yep.  I had a reservation for one at the pity party table last Monday.  You see, the Friday before at boot camp someone asked me what I had done to my left leg.  She asked me why I was limping.  It just so happens that when I am tired or stressed my left side (the side affected by my stroke) does not want to cooperate with the rest of my body.  I limp and my left eye goes blurry.  I am very self-conscience about this. 

Why?  I mean those that love me could care less about my little deficit.  It doesn't matter to them in the least.  But, it bothers me to the point that I did not go to boot camp last Monday  because someone asked why I was limping.  I hate to admit to this..............I didn't go because of my own vanity.

It is something that I need to get over.  Because really, it is a very small inconvenience given the fact that the outcome of my stroke could have been so much different.  That I could possibly have died.

But, last night as I was watching the interviews about Oscar Pistorius, I couldn't help but think:  Here is a man that could have easily thrown in the towel.  He could have given up, felt sorry for himself and lived a completely different life.  But he didn't.  He just lived.  He is trying to be his best self.  It doesn't matter that he didn't make the Olympic finals.  It only matters that he tried.  He showed up, worked hard and gave it his best effort.  He is a winner.   He is a hero.  He is pure inspiration.

There is always going to be someone out there that has it much worse than I do.  There is always going to be someone out there that just wished their only deficit was an occasional limp or blurry eye.  There is always going to be someone that doesn't let any of their handicaps keep them from reaching their dreams and inspiring others.  I want that someone to be me.

So, the next time I feel a pity party coming on, I will remember Oscar Pistorius and repeat this to myself:

It only matters that you show up and give it all you got.  It only matters that you try.  All you can ask of yourself is that you do the best that you can do.  You are a winner because you tried.