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.
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