I still get frustrated by the whole wheelchair thing.
After so many years you’d think I’d be over it, but not so far. I know I talk a lot about “don’t let what you CAN’T do keep you from doing what you CAN do.” Those aren’t empty words, but believing something doesn’t always make it easy.
For some reason, lately I’m aware of a lot of stuff I can’t do. My friend went on a mission trip and spent a week doing construction work, manual labor stuff that just sounded exhausting and hard and rewarding. I used to do that kind of work–a long time ago–and suddenly I missed it.
My church sends out requests for people to help with various tasks–helping people move, mowing lawns, shoveling snow. It’s the kind of little stuff I’d love to do. It’s frustrating to be excluded.
Seems like I’m suddenly surrounded by what I can’t do that I wish I could do.
It’s selective perception. These tasks are always around, but lately I’m tuned in to them. I see them, and I guess I’ve chosen to be frustrated by them. Not sure why.
Do you ever get into a cycle like that, where you zero in on something you know is harmful? It’s a nasty place, focusing on the negative when you know better, but we all do it.
And the solution is to repent, which means “turn around.” Because there’s just no point to griping about what I can’t do. I don’t have to like it, and I don’t. But complaining won’t change anything.
There’s some stuff I CAN do. There’s some stuff you can do.
For that, we can be grateful.
Please leave a comment here.
For sure Rich! I remember your demo card that has a few pieces of a round pie missing (things you can’t do) and you telling us I still have lots of pieces of the pie left which represent all the things I CAN do!!! I have that little card here as a reminder!! You are an awesome motivating person who has helped hundreds succeed. That’s more than most of the rest of us have done! Keep us the great work!!
Hi Rich,
After just having knee replacement surgery and all that entails I think in some very, very small way I can identify with your statements. However I get to get up soon and you have very graciously and “valiantly” overcome those things that were holding you back. I admire you Rich and I admire what you have been able to accomplish and you did it because it is who you are and you expanded that to bless other people. How cool is that. Not all, in fact very few, of us construction types could do or ever will do what you have done and will do.
I am sure there are times between trips that it is hard to stay motivated, but then you are motivated because that is what you have become. When I and others think of you we think in terms of pride for you in knowing what you are in character and that gives all of us a greater purpose to keep going and achieve our goals. You have set the bar higher for each of us and that is a pretty good thing.
May God Richly Bless You Rich. I love you as a brother.