Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK (999) now has call waiting? I hope that you never find out for yourself.
Have you ever had to resuscitate someone? I sincerely hope that you haven't. Have any of your family spent time in hospital? If they have, I hope it wasn't for long.
Well, I have experienced all three of the above the following number of times in the last three years:
Held in a queue after dialling 999 - 4 times
Given resuscitation to my son - 6 times
Time spent at hospital bedside - at least 18 months
Oh, I almost forgot. We have also been told on no less than three occasions that it would be unlikely he would survive the next 24 hours.
Am I bitter? No. In a way, I'm grateful for the experience. I wouldn't be doing what I am doing now if it wasn't for my son. All of my priorities have been turned around because of him.
I could be one of those people who wallow in self-pity at how unlucky they are, or how unfair life is. I have chosen not to. I have chosen to take something positive out of the fact that my 3-year-old son is severely disabled, and will be for the rest of his life. I have quit my job to spend time looking after my family. I now spend more time with my wife, my son, and I can take my 6-year-old daughter to school every day. I have decided that life is there for living, and that money (although nice to have) shouldn't be the prime motivator for working.
I can also now appreciate how lucky I really am.
There are many families who have a 'special' child like ours, who is not as fortunate as my son. We are lucky that we have a healthy daughter. I am lucky that I have a wonderful wife. Being in this situation makes you appreciate the good things, instead of focusing on the bad things.
I envy families that can go on holiday together, who can play in the park together, or can go out for a meal together. The saddest thing is not what I haven't got, it is those who have got what I want not even realising the lucky hand they have been dealt in this game of life. Be thankful what you are able to do or be, and don't dwell on those things that you wish for. If you could realise how lucky you are, then your life will improve dramatically, just like mine. Be grateful that you have a roof over your head, electricity, television, and running water. There are a lot of people in this world who have none of these and end up becoming more successful than you or I.
If you can show gratitude for what you have, and use your energy towards attaining what you don't have, then you are on the first rung on the ladder to success.
To our Success !
About The Author
Gary Vurnum has left the corporate world behind to focus on helping others succeed. He uses the lessons he has learnt from surviving the life-or-death situations he has faced with his severely disabled son. Others may not want his life...but he is the happiest he has ever been. Send a blank email to sofsuccess@getresponse.com to get his free 4 part report on Success - "11 Reasons Why You Will Never Succeed" gary@scienceofsuccess.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Often, I've come across individuals who, while in conversation, will... Read More
Everything exists twice. First, in your mind. Later, before you... Read More
There was someone I used to work with who, well... Read More
Never Quitting Equals Success Most people who achieve fortunes in... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More
In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More
ARE YOU IN... OR OUT?Are you in or out of... Read More
Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More
Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and... Read More
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More
Most of us carry on a running internal dialogue at... Read More
Turn brutality into kindness. There is no small deed and... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More
No one becomes successful by accident. Motivational speaker Les Brown... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
Self belief is a wonderful thing.I know from my own... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More
"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More
There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More
Attitude, has a way of preening itself, often without awareness... Read More
There are many dynamics that go into making a great... Read More
IntroductionDid your boss, took you for a ride? Did your... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
So how do we find meaning? The first step is... Read More
Most of what we've been taught about how to be... Read More
Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More
I had a completely different idea for my main article... Read More
The most dangerous thing is illusion. ~ Ralph Waldo EmersonFailure... Read More
Positive thinking in this day and age is a tool... Read More
" If you have faith as a grain of musterd... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More
When you change your thoughts, you change your life. The... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
Ever had a problem with doubts? Ever felt that nagging... Read More
Self belief is a wonderful thing.I know from my own... Read More
Your response (reaction?) to change is conditioned by your entire... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them?... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
Facing a change and want to make it work for... Read More
Do you wish you had high self-confidence? Some of us... Read More
"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More
This is a technique that sounds a bit silly when... Read More
I don't know about you, but for me, the technological... Read More
Heard of a raindance? It is a ritual used by... Read More
You want to change your self-care habits and you can't... Read More
The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
"We can change our circumstances by a mere change of... Read More
Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More
Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More
When you have a case of FABS, it may be... Read More
I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |