15 years later...Milestones occur every day!
Fifteen years ago today, I narrowly escaped the Grim
Reaper’s scythe. Every year since, I have marked this day as a 'Homage to my
Hemorrhage,' celebrating the gift of more time here on earth. Originally, I thought of this year’s
anniversary as a milestone, but in reflection, I realize that every day is a
milestone, an extra opportunity to make a positive difference.
Although my life’s path as I had envisioned veered way of
course, I am immensely grateful for the incredible opportunities my stoke has
given me. I never felt like a victim of
stroke, but rather a survivor of life's happenstance. While some may cringe
that I refer to my stroke as a gift, it has shaped my life in ways that are
surprisingly full of wonderful possibilities and brought many remarkable people
into my life, people who leave me in awe and inspired by the power of the human
spirit.
No one completely escapes adversity, be it physical,
emotional, or financial. Mine happened to be a paralyzing stroke, but it has
given me insight to what is important. My stroke has taught me lessons that
keep me grounded, fulfilled, and ready to greet each day with renewed hope.
Thanks to my stroke, I've learned:
·
Life is about choice. Each choice is predicated
on my prior choice.
·
Laughter truly is the best medicine for the
mind, body and spirit. I require daily doses. It starts by laughing at myself,
and when my dear friends join in, it creates a cacophony of joy.
·
No one is responsible for my happiness but me. I
must choose to be happy. But just because I choose it doesn't make it so; it
takes hard work.
·
I must overcome obstacles to accomplish a goal.
Obstacles, or roadblocks, cause detours, but I am not discouraged. Detours
often lead to new discoveries about myself and what I am capable of.
·
The proverbial 'light at the end of the tunnel'
is there only if I find it within myself to foresee a positive outcome.
I am not my stroke. Does it define me? In some ways,
perhaps, but it is only one side of the multifaceted person I am. I am the victor of my stroke; I conquered the
beast. Yes, it raises its ugly head daily, but I am battle ready. This enemy
did not defeat me, it only made me stronger, wiser, grateful, happier, yes,
happier. I know up-close-and-personal that every day I get out of bed is a
gift.
Limping for joy!
-xo-julia
Labels: author, book, happiness, healthcare advocate, humor, life lessons, recovery, rehabilitation, speaker, stroke
posted by Julia Fox Garrison at 3:42 PM
3 Comments:
Contratulations on your 15th anniversary of being a "victor" of your stroke.
You have certainly risen above and chosen to have the power of growth and wisdom over it and because of it.
Right on, or left on - whichever is your stronger side!!
Hello,my fellow 15year"graduate of stroke"-I,too,am "celebrating"my 15 yr.anniversary of a stroke trying to overpower me,but daily I fight it off with my constant positive attitude(I am known for my"soapbox"on the subject)keeping busy with a great sense of humor and volunteering to help my fellow stroke survivors and others who have disabilities,too,but choose to make the best of life despite that fact!This is the first"blog"I have ever written,but today I salute you,and join you!Congratulations to us..and our attitudes and bright futures!!BEBR
Julia, just finished your book and loved it! Never thought I could laugh reading ab/out someone who had left-side paralysis and a bleeding stoke...I applaud you for your attitude and insights. I am now a 23 year survivor of a bleeding stroke. I woke up in a hospital after giving birth to my second son to find myself paralyzed and unable to do anything. When a nurse got me dressed and into a wheelchair, we went by a mirror and I saw my shaved head and scars. When I asked why they had shaved my head when I went to the hospital to have a baby, I was informed I'd had brain surgery 5 You bet, what a ridiculous story! Hang in there, yowithur terrific attitude you can only get better! Pulling for you in OK, Susi
Post a Comment
<< Home