From a long history of 'surviving', I have learned much about persistence. Life has given me many chances to practice. I have also been allowed to watch the efforts of people facing even more difficult life challenges. Friends, family and clients all have allowed me the opportunity to learn how they deal with life. I really do learn from watching other people. We are all on this earth to teach and learn from each other. It is amazing what you can learn if you pay attention. I'm willing to take on the opportunity.
One of my core difficulties in life has been the impulse to simply give up. While I've never actually attempted it, my thoughts have often turned to suicide. Usually at the times that I don't see options. My depression impacts my ability to think things through. But I find role-models for survival. One of them is a young friend of my daughter. I've known K. since she was a teenager. K. has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. I have always enjoyed K. because of her exuberance and quirky personality. But I've learned over the years that there is more to K. She has strength and persistence in spades. K. has a college education. But because she is wheelchair bound, job possibilities are limited and complex. Transportation is an issue. (It is complex to learn how to drive for a person who is 'differently-abled'. And it requires resources that K. doesn't currently have.). Of course, there is also the fact that her physical limitations might prevent her from doing work that she might be qualified for. For example, K.'s degree is in social services. There is an agency that would benefit from her skills. But it isn't an option because she would have to work out in the field. Dependent on available transport, K. couldn't do that. Of course, I suspect that K. deals with stigma also. For some, her physical status trumps everything, including her education and skill level. Discrimination is not that simple to eradicate.
In an economy that is competitive because of a lack of jobs, I've watched from the sidelines as K. went through a job search. She was persistent through turndown after turndown. Driven to continue by one simple desire...to control her own destiny. Today, she is employed. She taught me what the words persistence and strength mean. As K. knows...sometimes you have to keep on keeping on. Failure really is not an option. But sticking it out through the bumps in the road takes true strength. K. showed me how much of that she has. There is much to learn from this young woman. Can you see the lesson? How can you apply it to your life? Let's talk!!
One of my core difficulties in life has been the impulse to simply give up. While I've never actually attempted it, my thoughts have often turned to suicide. Usually at the times that I don't see options. My depression impacts my ability to think things through. But I find role-models for survival. One of them is a young friend of my daughter. I've known K. since she was a teenager. K. has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. I have always enjoyed K. because of her exuberance and quirky personality. But I've learned over the years that there is more to K. She has strength and persistence in spades. K. has a college education. But because she is wheelchair bound, job possibilities are limited and complex. Transportation is an issue. (It is complex to learn how to drive for a person who is 'differently-abled'. And it requires resources that K. doesn't currently have.). Of course, there is also the fact that her physical limitations might prevent her from doing work that she might be qualified for. For example, K.'s degree is in social services. There is an agency that would benefit from her skills. But it isn't an option because she would have to work out in the field. Dependent on available transport, K. couldn't do that. Of course, I suspect that K. deals with stigma also. For some, her physical status trumps everything, including her education and skill level. Discrimination is not that simple to eradicate.
In an economy that is competitive because of a lack of jobs, I've watched from the sidelines as K. went through a job search. She was persistent through turndown after turndown. Driven to continue by one simple desire...to control her own destiny. Today, she is employed. She taught me what the words persistence and strength mean. As K. knows...sometimes you have to keep on keeping on. Failure really is not an option. But sticking it out through the bumps in the road takes true strength. K. showed me how much of that she has. There is much to learn from this young woman. Can you see the lesson? How can you apply it to your life? Let's talk!!
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