CHOOSE A LIFE OF STRENGTH
Sean Stephenson (1979 – 2019) was an American therapist, self-help author, and motivational speaker.
He was only three feet (0.91m) tall and was wheelchair bound as he had osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), a genetic condition that causes bones to break easily.
After he was born, the doctors told his parents that he would be dead within the first 24 hours of his life. But Stephenson defied all predictions and lived till he was 40.
While Stephenson did not get the same advantages in life as many did, he did not pity himself and he did not think of himself as being disabled.
Though he looked small and weak, he chose to live large and to live strong by actively practising positive life principles such as the following:
Tip #1: Never believe a prediction that does not empower you
According to Stephenson, if you believe in a prediction that does not empower you, you will “wither away and die” – you will “either physically die or your spirit will die”.
Tip #2: Be the best version of yourself
No one can be you. So be the best “you” that you can be.
Tip #3: Pity is the worst drug ever
As shared by Stephenson: “The moment you pity someone or the moment you feel sorry for yourself…you are totally, completely frozen in potential”.
Tip #4: You are not your condition – believe that you bring value to the human race
Even though he was wheelchair bound, Stephenson did not think that he was disabled as he believed that “the only disability is one’s refusal to adapt”.
We need to adapt to whatever environment we are in, and believe that we bring value to the human race, no matter what your current condition, title, or stature is.
Tip #5: You are enough – love yourself
When we are insecure and feel like we are not enough, we do stupid things and “chase external validation and external objects to try to tell us that we are enough”.
You cannot afford to pity yourself or bully yourself – you have to love yourself.
Tip #6: The real prison is your mind – master your emotions to free yourself
When you are stuck in your mind – bullying or pitying yourself you suffer.
When we love ourselves and master our emotions, then and only then, are we free.
Tip #7: You have the ability to choose what you focus on
Are you choosing to think of your challenges are burdens or as opportunities to grow?
Purpose does not make the pain go away but it “gives you the fuel to go through the dark days”.
Perspective #9
We can choose what we focus on.
We can choose to live a life of strength and purpose.
We choose.
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Written By: Joanne H Lim
(Co-Author of “Winning with Honour” and “The Leader, The Teacher & You“, and Author of “Meme the Monkey Wins in Life”)
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Video Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaRO5-V1uK0
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To read the other stories in “The Right Perspective Series”, please visit: www.TheRightPerspective.com.sg/blog/
For more information, please visit: www.TheRightPerspective.com.sg