Don't Give Up!

1/3/2015

As we grow, we pass different phases through our lives. Some of these are more difficult than others. However, that's the way of life. It doesn't matter our social level, we always have happy, wonderful moments, as well as sad, uneasy, uncertain and/or disappointing ones.

The important thing is: How do we overcome those experiences that provoke failure, fault, sad, and anxiety feelings? It's not an easy thing, but it is possible to overcome any negative situation or emotion that we are going through. It depends on our "tools", our psychological mechanisms, our knowledge, our abilities and assets. Mind states that we choose to have. Yes, I mean choose, because everything we do in life depends on the decisions we make. We decide to laugh or cry, being happy or being sad, to success or fail, to lie or to tell the truth, to love or to hate. In short, you make your own decisions based on what you want for yourself.

Easier said than done. However, no matter how difficult the experience you are living, there's always a way to overcome it. There is always a way. It depends on the information we have during that event, and the decisions we make. Take the following example:

He failed at business at 31 years
Lost an election at 32
Failed again at business at 34
His girlfriend died when he was 35
Had a nervous breakdown at 36
Lost a Presidential election at 38
Lost an election for the USA Congress at 43, 46 and 48
Lost a Senate election at 55
Lost an election to become the Vice-President of the USA at 56
Lost another Senate election at 58
Finally, was elected President of the USA at 60 years

This man was none other than Abraham (Abe) Lincoln, one of the most prominent Presidents of the USA. He is a great example of perseverance, motivation and inspiration.

Do you need another story of unlimited success? There is the fascinating story of Nicholas (Nick) James. He was born on December 4th, 1982 at Melbourne, Australia. He was diagnosed with Agenesia Tri-amelia at birth. This is a birth defect where there are malformed or absent limbs. In his case, there were three missing limbs! Nick was born without both upper extremities and the right lower limb. He only has a small foot with two toes as his left lower limb.

Luckily, Nick was born a "healthy baby" with non-mental incapacities. However, as expected, his life was full of difficulties. He suffered bullying from his schoolmates, and considered suicide at 12 years of age. Can you imagine living without your four limbs? How many negative feelings, thoughts and difficulties at such short age? However, Nick realized his purpose and mission in this planet. In 2005, he found "Life Without Limbs", an organization to help people with physical incapacities and experiment rejection from society. He gives lectures and motivational talks throughout the world. Actually he is happily married and has a healthy and normal son, with all his four extremities.

Both men, Abe and Nick, took their decisions based on their circumstances, and they never gave up. They kept trying until they make their dreams come true. So look at you! Look around you and see all the possibilities, blessings, family, friends, and/or resources that you have. I invite you to make an internal analysis and realize that your attitude, your experiences and emotions are temporary, and that you can overcome them. It will depend on what you choose to live.