Inspiring stuff. We all have small opportunities, small victories that we can seize this week. And we don’t have to go through a life-trauma to appreciate them.
What are your small opportunities? Name them and seize them.
After reading the inspiring story of Claire Lomas (MBE), this week’s theme of taking small opportunities became far clearer for me. Claire’s life was drastically altered when she was paralyzed from the chest downwards in a horse riding accident a decade ago. Since coming to terms with this immense challenge on her very livelihood, she has worked through the ‘dark days’ and has chosen to seize the small opportunities and celebrate the small victories and create a life of intention and purpose.
In her words: “I forced myself to take small opportunities and it has led on to bigger things. It has taken a lot of small little steps to get here.”
Claire’s story came to my attention in the news following her completing another monumental physical feat, given the limitations of her physical condition, by finishing The Great South Run, a ten mile race aided by a bionic “ReWalk Suit”. Science and technology enabling a strong mind and an indominatable human spirit to achieve great things.
And let’s add in some wisdom on opportunity from one of science’s greatest minds:
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
-Albert Einstein
“What is the big deal about walking ten miles?!?” some might argue upon first glance. Due to the limitations placed on her by the paralysis, the feat took Claire a full 24 hours to complete. When was the last time you got out and did something brave and gruelling for a full 24 hours? I certainly have never done anything close. And this adds to her list of achievements of having completed the full 42km London marathon route (it took her 16 days), and not to mention having the courage to become a mother, giving birth to two children since the accident. Claire now focuses much of her efforts on raising funds for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation and is passed the half million Pound Mark (roughly $660 000).
Inspiring stuff. We all have small opportunities, small victories that we can seize this week. And we don’t have to go through a life-trauma to appreciate them.
What are your small opportunities? Name them and seize them.
Read what Claire is up to at www.claireschallenge.co.uk and follow her on @claire80lomas
