Life begins with small steps. Mine began in such a way. Life has a series of wanderings with those first steps becoming giant ones. Some announced on the air with Neil Armstrong's first imprint on the moon and others subtle changes.
In our world, the first step is often the hardest. Some more difficult than others.
For me it was this way.
For I was wired in a unique manner, in that of a mystery to be entangled of how I was to operate in this world. For I was born with a portion of my brain not developed at birth and the self=starting mechanism was not there. A little more involved than replacing a spark plug on a car. For the human is a very complex person. But that stubborn spark did come to life and thus my personality and personhood was born. (anew)
For we all face handicaps and hardships in our lives, and what makes me unique to others is not really a matter of being different per se but created and designed for a purpose.
To give one a better view, glance back at the Christmas story told throughout the last two centuries.
We have Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Mary is found to be pregnant with God's son.
For when Jesus was born, they had to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod and his gang. For hardship was facing Him and His family at that very moment. Making him very handicapoed by the surroundings and dependent on others for his well being.
Yet, the family did all they could by making the alternate route to Egypt.
And followed through with the various struggles with the temptation in the desert and other thwarts along the way. What kept Jesus on track was the knowledge of his identity.
My hardships while not like those of our King were still hardships. When I look back at my journey for these forty plus years, I have hit some mines that seemed steep to climb up and down. But each of these has made me stronger as I will illustrate. And helped me to form my identity as well.
When I was born, I had arrested hydrocephalus and a series of defects that made it harder for me to learn and grow. Yet, these did not stop me at all. I kept moving forward and did not give in for a moment. I learned through speech therapy in the phonetic approach where I dissected the way words were constructed and became in love with the English language and learning.
For I can understand the hardships that one can face in life and I am not afraid to take on the challenges that it does offer. These indeed have made me stronger. As that saying goes, what does not kill me will indeed make me stronger!!
In our lives, it is always important to have moments of recess in our lives where we can reflect and think on what our lives have to offer. It is important to slow down and savor what life has to offer. Just as a great sauce takes a long time to flavor or a great hot dog to become crisp and tasty, so it is with life.
Maine has been such a place to me as I have gone to the edge of the Shore as many famous people such as Rachel Carson have done to reflect on what is important in life. Maine has been a sanctuary for me in that I have been able to recharge my batteries so I am not so taken aback from what has assaulted me through this life.
For this is what the apostle Peter had happen to him when he faced a crossroads in his life as he was about to go fishing yet Jesus invited him back to a hot cooked buffet of fish for breakfast and an assurance that his love has never left at all.
And what has indeed happened that Christmas morning when the shepherds and angels announced his birth. A new and welcome beginning. Let us remember that we have those new starts all the time. Let us look at the wow factor.
When I look back on my journey through this life, I have these wow moments as I describe some of what I have been through. For I can say, I actually have lived this or that scenario in my life. Especially as I have shared my journeys of three consecutive buses and a brief 5 to 25 minute hike to get to some of my destinations.
We all need to do this for we all have those wow moments in our lives.
We are heroes who can celebrate life.
When I was recently at the grand opening of the Easter Seals Autsim and Developmentally delayed center in Stamford, I recalled to those there that I was a poster child for the agency some 46 years ago. I overcame a lot and I applauded the heroes of the caregivers and parents and clients in the room who have done the very same theme.
When we realize how far we have overcome, we can indeed reach out to others and not be ashamed of what we have actually accomplished. It is actually a miracle as we take the small steps which are actually giant leaps for mankind. For as we branch out of our comfort zone, we are actually building bridges into one another's lives.
That is key and essential. That is the value of transparency to our souls so we don't become stagnant at all.
Now stand up and take pride in how we all are making those advances for mankind and watch for those who are following close behind you in this journey called life.
Live it to the fullest.
