Watching Amy Purdy dance with 2 prosthetic feet is now my inspiration while running. It has become clear to me that seeing others overcome obstacles in life is a big motivator in my life. I have always felt this way, but never really been able to articulate the extent to which this impacts me.
Thank you, Rita, for encouraging me to watch her dance. Thanks to you, also, for spreading the message of triumph (despite challenges) to your college students. I believe THIS message is perhaps the most important one ANYONE can learn.
Sometimes people ask me why I run or swim when I have already taught my classes and hence gotten in my daily dose of exercise. The only answer that keeps coming to me is “because I can.” I will never take for granted the healthy body parts I have been gifted.
I am convinced that our circumstances do not make us the people we are. How we handle our circumstances, however, is a whole other story. Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with a family member who has had his fair share of challenges. In conversation he said that when he started thinking about “good things for himself, good things started to happen. ” This just once again proves that what we put our attention on multiplies.
Wishing you all a triumphant hump day! Go out there and focus on all that you do have, all that you can do, and make it a wonderful Wednesday.