Having a Grateful Spirit

I was on the elliptical machine today and I was letting my mind wander while I was exercising (a big accomplishment for me!). I started thinking about how much I complain about all the exercise that I have to do. I don't enjoy it. However, I am trying to be more grateful for the shape that I am in. Things could have gone much differently. I could have been totally bed ridden or paralyzed or in a coma. I have limited mobility and speech issues but I can still move, be social and get to enjoy life with my family and friends.

My brain and body don't sync together effortlessly anymore. I have to manually force my brain to work together with my body. It is not easy. It does not work out for me all the time, every time. However, I am grateful that it does work for me the majority of the time. I can do the majority of my exercises with little to no assistance and in my daily life I can do 85-90% of my things independently. I cannot drive but there is not much more that I literally can't do myself. Whether I want to do it voluntarily or not is another matter, haha. 

I wish that none of this had ever happened to me. However, as the old saying goes, there is no use in crying over spilled milk. I can't change the fact that it did happen to me. I have to play with the cards that I have been dealt in the hand of life. Besides, I have learned so many valuable life lessons from all of this. Had it never happened, I would never have learned them. 

Four or five years ago, I went to a rehab facility which was run by the Spanish government. I was working on my balance, strength and mobility. I would go there five days a week. I would routinely see a woman while I was there. She was in a coma and not even conscious. She was being kept alive artificially. They would just move her arms and legs to prevent her from getting bedsores. 

I always used her as a barometer for my own health. No matter how bad things were for me, I was always grateful that I was never as bad as her. In my opinion, they should have medically ended her life. After all, what is the point of being alive if you are not even conscious? However, I can imagine her family not wanting to let her go. 

In no particular order, I have a great family, extended family, a beautiful wife and an amazing daughter. Along with great in laws and friends. I am truly lucky to have the support system that I have. I will keep working hard to get as close as possible to normal life sooner rather than later because I know that the closer I get, the easier it will be for everyone around me. I am grateful for every day that I am above ground. I will continue trying hard not to take anything in this life for granted. 

Gratefully yours, Tyler