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Dare to Live!
"I recommend that you terminate the pregnancy."
These were the first words my Mom and Dad heard as the doctor re-entered the room. At that moment, time seemed to stand still. The doctor continued to explain the situation.
"It looks like your son has hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. If you go through with the pregnancy, your son may be born with this physical disability."
As you can imagine, my parents had some thinking to do. "Should we terminate the pregnancy or go through with it?" The call was theirs and it was my life at stake. They consulted other doctors to get more opinions, but results did not look any more promising. They were shocked, upset, sad, and confused--all at the same time.
On a thread of faith and intuition my parents gambled on the slight chance the doctors may be wrong. They gave the green light and went through with the pregnancy.
In December 1983 I entered this world and overcame all odds. My parents were relieved beyond description when I was born a healthy baby. Today, it's odd to think that I may have never set foot on this planet--to know that my fate once lay in one decision. This has helped me appreciate how unique it is to be alive, healthy, and essentially, "create" ourselves each day.
When we finally stop ourselves in the middle of this crazy day-to-day process we call "life," we begin to notice things we may have overlooked. When we really take the time to think and look around, we realize that life in itself is an incredible process. How does it happen? How is "life" given to a body? It's like thinking about what lies at the end of the universe--it seems to twist our minds and inspire deeper, greater thought.
Some things, it seems, almost appear to be beyond our mental capacity. However, I don't think it's as important to analyze how we got here, as it is to learn how to maximize our life while we're here.
This concept is vital because our life on this planet can also end in the blink of an eye. In fact, life is so special that it's one of the few things humans cannot recreate. Ultimately, we get one shot in this body and one chance to live this lifetime. If you're not pursuing your passion, chasing your dreams, appreciating what you do have, and sharing your abilities with others, then maybe now is a good time to start.
The bottom line is, life really is an amazing phenomenon. Whether we face challenges near birth or not, the fact that we're all here is a miracle in itself.
I've found, on my short journey through life, that everything happens for a reason. It's the meaning we give to each event that determines whether or not our experiences will be helpful or hindering. I've also come to believe that we all have a unique purpose. The challenge we've been given is to discover what that reason is and then act on it each day.
It's sad to see how many people live life as if it were inescapable a job. They fall into the trap of believing that life is a monotonous cycle of waking up each day to fight for a wage. Unfortunately, this is usually something we often grow to accept when we lose sight of what thi journey is really about.
There are thousands and thousands of stories about people who have done incredible things; people who have created a life of adventure and meaning from nothing but a dream, some faith, and a passion to succeed. But these individuals are no different than you and I. They are simply proof that we can do amazing things. . . if we have amazing things planned.
What many of us don't realize until later in life is that life is not only a miracle, but a gift--an opportunity to grow, contribute, and experience our time on this earth.
Life is not a right. It's a privilege and a gift-- and who we become is our gift to the world.
The world is either a giant playground of opportunity and purposeful experiences or a prison of sadness, struggle, and sorrow. The greatest power we have as individuals is to choose our own reality by deciding how to act and deliberately shaping our beliefs and values.
It's an old adage, but it's true: Life is what we chose to make of it. A life without curiosity, vision, and appreciation is like a candle without a flame: Dormant and ineffective. Helen Keller said it best, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." You're either grateful or you're not. You're either growing or you're not. You're either making the most out of what you have, or you're not.
It's much easier to drift and have your life shaped by others' opinions and decisions, but if you have a heartbeat you always have a choice. It takes courage to live your dreams. And life rewards those who want it, cherish it, and share it well with others. So don't let it happen ... make it happen. Choose to live with heart. Choose to live with courage. Take on the challenge...
Dare to live!
Much success to you,
- Kent Healy Next Steps: - Post a comment in the box below and let me know your thoughts (scroll down)
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