In 2001, Nathan Ogden raced down an Oregon ski slope, launching himself off a jump over 30 feet into the air. While he had done this many times, something was different on this day. He caught more air than he intended to, which rotated his body backward, slamming him onto the slope.
He tried to stand, but his legs wouldn’t move. He soon learned that his neck had shattered.
Over the next few months, this married father of two threw his heart and soul into rehab and remained confident that he would walk again, despite what the doctors said. Gradually, as he gained sensation to his legs and a little independence, his doctors called his progress “miraculous.”
But he wanted his health to progress faster.
He worked tirelessly to regain use of his upper body, and while he could hardly move his legs, he was convinced that one day he would walk again.
He eventually regained 50% of his body movement, but more trouble was yet to come. In 2003, just 13 months after his skiing accident, Ogden caught pneumonia and fell unconscious in his sleep.
When his wife couldn’t wake him, he was rushed to the ER, where technicians accidentally dropped him to the floor while x-raying his lungs.
For the second time, Ogden had broken his neck. But this time, the break was higher up, which permanently paralyzed him.
All of his hard work and hundreds of hours of rehab crashed to the floor.
Years laters, he now has very little control of his upper body and no sensation from his chest down.
But when asked what went through his mind when he woke up and learned his neck was broken again, he said, “The first words I said to my wife when she told me were, ‘Bring it on.’ I knew that if I had done it once, I could do it again.”
Ogden tried to be positive throughout the coming years, but says that was easier said than done. He had fought so hard to progress after his first accident, only to have it ripped out from under him.
If you want to be successful, practice and work hard.
Ogden felt trapped, noting, “I lost my job, friends, self-esteem and almost my marriage. Being physically paralyzed is extremely difficult, but not moving mentally is painfully worse.”
But with the positive attitude that he maintained, Ogden learned to feel more compassion and empathy towards others than he’d ever experienced.
He believes he went through his challenges in order to magnify the positive results.
He continues to fight a daily battle against adversity and since his second paralysis, he has been skydiving, gone river rafting, hunting, snow skiing, water skiing and even completed a half-triathlon. He is even venturing into consulting and public speaking and writing a book to inspire as many as possible to believe in hope and progress.
Ogden notes that while he may not be able to move his legs or walk, he can stand up and face his fears, and seeks to convince other people that they can too.
The Moral
With that kind of persistent attitude, Ogden has never given up and is back on top of the mountain. While he may never walk again, the perseverance of his spirit is allowing him to live a fulfilling life, despite the challenges he faces.
To see an angel, you must see another's soul. To feel an angel, you must touch another's heart. To hear an angel you must listen to both. "Be kinder than necessary because everyone youknow isfighting some kind of battle." LOVE AND BLESSINGS
If the mountain seems too big today then climb a hill instead. If the morning brings you sadness it's ok to stay in bed. If the day ahead weighs heavy and your plans feel like a curse, there's no shame in rearranging, don't make yourself feel worse. If the shower stings like needles and a bath feels like you'll drown, and you haven't washed your hair for days don't throw away your crown. A day is not a lifetime a rest is not defeat. Don't think of it as failure just a quiet, kind retreat. It's ok to take a moment from an anxious, fractured mind the world will not stop turning while you get realigned. The mountain will still be there when you want to try again. You can climb it in your own time, just love yourself till then
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that I've heard of Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true
Some day I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly Birds fly over the rainbow Why, then, oh why can't I?
If happy little blue birds fly Beyond the rainbow Why oh why, can't I?
Yes you can ! Soar! Love and Blessings Beautiful Soul!
A group of hikers sent out to climb a mountain. It was a challenging trail nut not impossible to
conquer. Some found the rocky terrain to be bothersome and so turned back. Others decided to stop part way up and forego the summit. Only a few opted to press on, not really knowing their efforts would be worthwhile. But when these few
finally stood on what seemed the top of the world ,
their struggle became gloriously rewarded.
The sun shine of tomorrow is the optimism of today.
Much Love and Blessings May the World know Peace.
May all Hearts know Peace
So many of you are afraid that if you pray for those you don't like, you will empower the darkness, but love can never call forth darkness. Love and prayer coax forth only light.
Your Purpose.... The day you discover your purpose never comes a day too late. It will take you by surprise and completely change your fate. The life you had been living may no longer have appeal.
You've reached the understanding that in order to truly live, you are going to have to do more than think, love and feel. You are going to have to take action. What are your dreams? What are you passionate about? Have you asked yourself these questions? Are you tired of living in doubt, or it is that you are just delaying your dreams until you feel more comfortable with making those changes? When you want a life that is filled with purpose and meaning and there is no time like the present.
Make a plan...write it down and work your plan. Bring your dreams into reality. Your soul has finally found its calling. You will not live your life in the shadow of your true self any longer. It's like the light switch has finally been switched on. You're full of possibilities, positive energy and expectations. The reasons have all changed now, the goal is crystal clear: This moment is the only thing that's certain, the time to change is now.
Today you have decided that your dreams are yours to realize. Your wings are ready, it's time to fly and with this new found hope you take the leap. Spread your wings and fly... Soar ...Blessings and Love...Carol Anne....
