a new outlook

Gabrielle Gifford’s recently wrote an editorial in the New York Times on the anniversary of her shooting in Tucson.  She articulated some things that I have wanted to say for many months but didn’t quite know how:  Here is an excerpt from the article:

“I’ve spent the past three years learning how to talk again, how to walk again. I had to learn to sign my name with my left hand. It’s gritty, painful, frustrating work, every day. Rehab is endlessly repetitive. And it’s never easy, because once you’ve mastered some movement or action or word, no matter how small, you move on to the next. You never rest.  I asked myself, if simply completing a normal day requires so much work, how I would ever be able to fulfill a larger purpose.” 

I have been asking this question to myself a lot lately.  What is my larger purpose?

It’s a new year, so the gloves are coming off for this one. My stroke knocked me down, banged up my marriage, cost me friends and screwed up my work life. The stroke left me slightly estranged from my husband because he is also my primary caregiver.  I have had to relearn every aspect of my daily life because my left side is not responsive and I was left hand dominant. This is hard work! I want so badly to return to work.

2014 is good year for women in business. The first woman to head a U.S. Car company was named. The first woman to head the Federal Reserve has been named. What should I be doing to make my mark? What are my options?

Here is what Gabrielle suggests, again another excerpt:  “Every day, we must wake up resolved and determined. We’ll pay attention to the details; look for opportunities for progress, even when the pace is slow. “ Great advice. 

I watch a weekly news program Sunday mornings and a phrase made by a CEO from a Fortune 500 company stuck with me, “To be successful, fail fast, fail hard and fail often.”  Keep a sense of humor was the other piece of advice.

Thank you Gabrielle Gifford’s for your strength and inspiration.   Bring on 2014.

Resolve

During my trike rides I generally deliberate about many things.   For example I might practice my Spanish reflexive verbs.  Today, however, I mused for ten miles what it might be like to be “normal” again. I am not certain that “muse” is the correct word. If I could pick between the following:

1.       Restoring my left-peripheral vision so I could drive and work

2.      Using my left arm to do push-ups, pull-ups, write, etc.

3.      Having my left leg work without a prosthesis so I could wear dresses and regular shoes with heels, dance and generally show that I have legs. (What made me think of this was watching PitBull perform with backup dancers on TV last night.)

I came to the conclusion during my ride that above all, I want my vision back.  It is a tough call between this and being able to give Bob a two-armed hug again. Having said all this and in honor of today, I resolve to focus on things I can do. Tom and Bob have me “musing” on a trike ride across Texas. Happy New Year to all and here’s to musing on your resolutions for 2014.