Where Your Head Goes, Your Body Follows!

Let’s switch our focus from the horse show ring to rodeo arena.  Why do bronco riders hold one hand up in the air and tilt their head and body back?  Once they lose balance and their head drops below their waist, gravity takes over and landing forcefully in the dirt is pretty much a sure thing. 

How does this insight apply to your life?

Because adversity happens to everyone, you know exactly what it feels like to be bucked off your horse, slammed into a treacherous sinkhole, and buried under shovel loads of suffocating dirt. 

Each of you is dealing with at least one overwhelming challenge:

  • A difficult work relationship

  • Alcohol or drug addiction

  • Divorce

  • Dysfunctional family members

  • Environmental disaster  

  • Financial problems

  • Caregiver responsibilities

  • Diagnosis of a life threatening illness or disability

  • Death of a loved one

 

Right now, you’re feeling trapped, and you think you can’t escape from your predicament.  Because I understand what you are going through, I challenge you to make a life-changing decision.  You can (1) succumb to your hardship and choose to live life in a sinkhole of despair, failure, and pain, or (2) you can choose to acquire the strength, courage, and skills to get up, shake off the dirt, get back on your horse, and guide a triumphant ride in your performance arena of life.

I have said this before, and I will say it again.  Every challenge and every difficulty you successfully confront in life will strengthen your will, confidence, and ability to overcome future obstacles.  Adopting the mindset that you will conquer and not be conquered can ultimately change you from a victim to a victorious Life’s Ride Champion.  If I can do this, so can you!

Because adversity happens to everyone, my story of overcoming trials and suffering cuts through every boundary between you and me.  Abandonment at birth by my biological mother and the divorce of my adoptive parents during my teenage years dispelled my illusion of a fairy tale life.  Then blindness struck!  Then…..Jack and I were married for 30 years, 5 months, 21 days, and 23 and 3/4 hours.  During the last 15 years, Jack battled Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Bodies Dementia.  His last words to me were, “Hi, Deborah. I love you.”  Yes, I am stronger because of the great adversities I have experienced.

 

Deborah McAlexander