Well, where to begin? It's been one hell of a journey so far. All I can say is don't let people tell you CANT!!! because the reality is that anything is possible. I have spent my life overcoming adversity in many ways ever since I was a kid. I get told all the time, “My god, you haven't had it easy have you?” and every time I reply with, “There’s always someone worse off than myself”.
Serving in the military definitely teaches you how to be resilient in more ways than one, but do you have to be born resilient, or is it something that comes with enduring hardship over and over again? The truth is, they are both right, but from my perspective the more you go through, the more you can deal with. No matter how tough or how mentally demanding things can be, there is always a way to get through it.
If I was to say that the things I have been through in my life thus far have been a walk in the park, I would be lying. To be honest, some of it has been hell, both physically and mentally. Have I made mistakes along the way? ABSOLUTELY!! But making mistakes and failing at something is part and parcel of the process. If this doesn't happen we can't grow, and we don't learn - simple.
As an amputee, if I was to ask people what they thought was the hardest thing that I had been through, they would almost always say "losing your leg”. They are close, but losing my father was the hardest and most testing thing that I have had to cope with. Losing your role model and lifelong mentor is a hard pill to swallow, but I get comfort in knowing that I was extremely proud of him and had such a great person to guide me to where I am today. Did he play a part in making me a strong individual? Partly, yes. He definitely gave me the tools to start with, but only we as individuals can develop that mindset. Strength is built, mindset is developed, and the willingness to endure is what makes us resilient. So I guess the reason I have started my blog writing journey is to be more resilient myself, live outside my comfort zone, but to try and help others along their journey. Putting words on paper is difficult for me as I have always been a physically practical person, but true to form, being comfortable with being uncomfortable, is something I live by, and try to always be doing something that makes me feel uncomfortable.
Until next time folks....
What have been your most testing Times both physically and/or Mentally?
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