I originally posted this blog on Clark Bartram's website 2 days ago. After all of the wonderful feedback and comments I was given, I wanted to share this blog on here as well. I'm truly blessed to have Clark in my life as a mentor.
For the last several months, I've dealt with a lot of heartache and frustration. I've kept myself busy with working out and eating healthy and trying to surround myself with the people that keep me positive and optimistic about life.
I moved to Seattle 4 months ago and love it here, but the frustration of trying to find a full time job to pay the bills is starting to get the best of me. I've had a lot of negativity that has come into my life over the last four months and it's recently become a daily challenge and struggle to continue to be optimistic about everything.
From the day I was born, I was told I wasn't going to live, walk, and possibly have mental challenges to deal with in life. My disability with cerebral palsy has been a blessing in disguise. Having cerebral palsy has made me continually grateful. I'm able to do things that physicians and physical therapists questioned and thought I wasn't going to be able to do. Walking is something I NEVER take for granted. I will admit there are times when I forget I have a disability, but the ongoing every day challenges aren't as noticeable now as they were when I was younger. I try and remind myself just how lucky I am and that life is valuable. When I look back on my childhood and remember all of the challenges I had to face at a young age, it puts things in perspective for me. The tough times I'm dealing with now are just that. They are challenges I have to face, but they will eventually fade.
It's the tough times where I really appreciate my family and close friends the most. My inner strength comes from within the little girl in me that constantly fought my way into this world. The child that chose to prove everyone wrong. I knew what I was capable of and continued to have strength and determination to keep going and not give up. I didn't listen when someone told me no.
My inner strength is what makes me who I am today. It was today, where I took the time to evaluate myself and see how truly blessed I am. Inner strength is beautiful and always makes you strong. Being strong = confidence. Have you found your inner strength today?
"May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism." - Unknown
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