Be Thankful for What You Have Got

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

---

Are You Inviting Misery into Your Life?

Often, I've come across individuals who, while in conversation, will... Read More

An Exercise To Open Your Mind To Your Possibilities

Everything exists twice. First, in your mind. Later, before you... Read More

Why Positive Thinking Doesnt Work!

There was someone I used to work with who, well... Read More

Never Quitting is an Attitude

Never Quitting Equals Success Most people who achieve fortunes in... Read More

Financial Abundance And Peace Of Mind Are One!

There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About Looking Beyond His Attitude

Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More

Yourself

With the beginning of a new year, are you happy... Read More

Creating Success Through Self-Affirming Thought Patterns

Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More

The Enchanted Self - Thats Each of Us!

In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More

Positioned For Success - The Refined Art Of Taking A Chance

ARE YOU IN... OR OUT?Are you in or out of... Read More

Change Your Head Position For A Flood Of Positive Energy!

Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More

11 Great Ways to be Positive about Change

Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More

10 Tips for Practicing Positive Thinking as a Tool for Managing ADD

At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and... Read More

How To Gain Confidence Quickly And Effortlessly When You Feel the World is Against You

Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More

Use Affirmations to Build Self-Esteem

Most of us carry on a running internal dialogue at... Read More

The Power of Positive Thinking - Turn a Bad Day Around!

Turn brutality into kindness. There is no small deed and... Read More

Sexual Abuse. A Story From A Survivor.

Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More

Change Your Attitude from a Whiner to a Winner

Who are the Whiners? Whiners are the people who always... Read More

Creative Visualization For Successful Goal Achievement

No one becomes successful by accident. Motivational speaker Les Brown... Read More

Heres Your Calm During The Storm Of Discouragement

Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More

Your Dominant Thoughts - How to Take Advantage of Them

Self belief is a wonderful thing.I know from my own... Read More

Creating Positive Environments, Part 1: Using Art

One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More

Our Worst Enemies

Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More

Why Motivational Posters Arent Cheesy!

I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More

Wahms, Dont Compare Yourself With Others!

Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More

Scary Stuff

Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More

Dealing With Negative People Made Easy

I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More

How to Experience Life as a Thrilling Adventure

"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More

Firewords: A Dangerous Necessity in Your Life?

There are many stories of people injuring themselves, and others,... Read More

Thinking About Attitude

Attitude, has a way of preening itself, often without awareness... Read More

What Should You Be Committed To?

There are many dynamics that go into making a great... Read More

You, Your Self Estem, and Its Importance in Your Growth!

IntroductionDid your boss, took you for a ride? Did your... Read More

10 Tips to Cope with Negative Emotions at Work

It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More