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
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
Gail's StoryGail is a friend of mine and she was... Read More
I once heard the story of a grown bear that... Read More
A day in your life is a brief and precious... Read More
Kasia is a talented landscape designer who speaks several languages,... Read More
The way we use language can have a huge impact... Read More
One of my class fellows was really tensed, when asked... Read More
Many of you may look at my title and wonder... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More
Woe is me... life has dealt me a bad hand...... Read More
Imagine the what you could achieve if:You were 100 %... Read More
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
Do you wish you had high self-confidence? Some of us... Read More
We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
Ever had a problem with doubts? Ever felt that nagging... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
Are feelings and attitudes the same thing or different? Does... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
Look at this glass on the table in front of... Read More
Water is an important tool for magic rituals in many... Read More
Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More
Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More
We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More
With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
You've heard the buzzwords: Attitude is everything! Change your perspective!... Read More
A confidence crisis is looming with a recent study showing... Read More
I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you... Read More
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking... Read More
Decades ago, I saw a metaphysical movie that wonderfully illustrates... Read More
You don't need to a piece of paper to prove... Read More
Never used 'em. Not likely to start now.OK, so I... Read More
Striving to improve our self esteem is on everybody's mind.... Read More
(The following is an actual email conversation between Newton Hightower,... Read More
Do you wish you had high self-confidence? Some of us... Read More
There is an old joke about a man who is... Read More
Gail's StoryGail is a friend of mine and she was... Read More
Cheri decided that she wanted to grow an apple tree... Read More
You are already a winner, and so am I.Although you... Read More
Recently a great idea popped into my head about creating... Read More
A rager, or rageaholic, is a person who is addicted... Read More
Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build... Read More
Changing Negative Thoughts into Positive Thoughts is a key lesson... Read More
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More
Want to improve your personal performance? Positive self-talk can help.Edward... Read More
Everything exists twice. First, in your mind. Later, before you... Read More
"You Are My Sunshine My Only Sunshine You Make Me... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
We hear a lot these days about accepting responsibility for... Read More
Your ability to forgive those who have hurt you in... Read More
No, not that kind.Power and potential are synonymous. Your ultimate... Read More
I woke up this morning feeling sour.No. That's an understatement.... Read More
1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design.... Read More
For the twelve hundred hostages, most especially Timur Kasumova.It's a... Read More
Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
As a financial economist my motivation has long been to... Read More
Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the... Read More
"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |