Growing up, I've always learned that life was about perspective. There are two things you can do when you experience something. You can: 1) take that experience and allow it to improve you as a person or 2) dwell on the trials and tribulations of that situation only to inhibit your growth. All of us have the choice of making the best of every experience, whether good or bad.
With that said, most people find that it's easier to point out the negative results and faults of their experiences because it makes them feel "in control" of their situation. I mean, face it---being "in control" is a great feeling. It means that we're able to influence the outcome of a certain situation in accordance with our own wishes and desires. Who WOULDN'T want that? In the aftermath following a certain negative experience, we feel most "in control" when we: 1) blame others 2) feel bad for ourselves or even 3) lose faith in our core belief systems.
Why do we desire to be "in control"? Two reasons. Firstly, this desire to be "in control" can stem from one's own lack of happiness from within. When you are unhappy with yourself, your unhappiness will spread into other areas of your life and, ultimately, consume you. I know. I've been consumed before. Secondly, we want to be "in control" because we're scared. Most people are more afraid of what they will lose than what they can gain. This is simply because they KNOW what they have to lose, but are uncertain of what they can gain. Simply put---we're afraid of the unknown. It makes sense---why change something when you're comfortable? Then again, ask yourself this question: Are you really "comfortable" or have you just become "comfortable with being miserable"?
Well, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to be scared anymore. Unhappiness can be a thing of the past. "How?" you ask? Simple answer---you just got to have faith. You have to be comfortable with NOT being "in control". Just think of life as a road trip. Imagine giving God the keys to the car, sitting shotgun, and just enjoying the ride. He knows where you want to go. You don't have to tell Him. He'll even pick the the best route for you to get there. You'll encounter some fun pit-stops and maybe even some accidents, both of which will help you form a better bond and relationship with your driver---God.
You may or may not know this, but I recently broke my leg doing the thing that I love most in this world---playing basketball. It's been a very trying and tiresome experience for me. For instance, taking a shower now has become a test of my ability to: balance on the good leg, suspend the 'trash bag-covered one' over the side of the tub, and scrub my body---all at the same time. In addition to taking a physical toll on me, the injury also played with me mentally. Everyone who knows me, knows that I love being around people. There were days when the only visitors I had were 'Dr. House', 'Cuddy', and the other supporting actors in the t.v. show "House".
Sometimes, I felt useless. Sometimes, I felt like God was punishing me. Then, I remembered that 'life is all about perspective'. I could have sat there and felt bad for myself because: I was handicapped, I couldn't play basketball any more, and because I became a social hermit, but I chose otherwise. I did more bible reading, studied for my upcoming DAT, and prayed more. I don't know what God has in His plan for me. However, I do know that He did this for a reason. I do know that He has called me to be the best version of me that I can be. I do know that He refuses for me to be mediocre. I do know that He loves me through thick and through thin. Lastly, I do know that He has called me to share my testimony with others. Hence, this is the reason why you're reading this note. It's because my broken leg is more than just an injury; it's a blessing from God that I'm supposed to have shared with you. Thank you for allowing me to fulfill His plan. Vaya con Dios = Go with God.
