No matter what the situation, remind yourself “I have a choice.”
– Deepak Chopra
Injury is often associated with powerlessness or a loss of control. When I first started working in the federal penitentiary, I believed I was capable of evoking powerful, positive change. Both for the inmates I was working with, as well as with the system itself.
“You don’t belong here” the inmates repeatedly warned me. Turns out they were right, but it took me seven years to understand that.
I’ve never thought of myself as a quitter. I had to learn the hard way about the difference between quitting, and choosing not to continue. Quitting is giving up. Choosing not to continue is making an informed decision based on your experiences regarding what is healthy and sustainable, and what isn’t. It’s easy to judge ourselves based on what we were not able to do.
We can focus on the things we couldn’t do, or we can choose to focus on those things that are in our power.
I choose to do my best to help someone today
I chose to invest in my health
I chose to move forward.
I chose love.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
