A decision to be better not worse

The other evening I was an observer. I was drawn to a young woman in a restaurant bar. There was a presence about her that was in stark contrast to the other patrons who passed her by. Some didn't see her because she wasn't in close proximity to the "bar scene" and others because her physical condition made her different.

It was the "different" that drew me to her. The woman was in her early twenties, self -assured, bright eyed and full of life. Have you ever seen a person who just looked as though they knew something that you didn't? Well, that's exactly how she looked as she smiled from the moment she went to her table to the moment she left. How was it that she possessed these qualities while the other patrons did not?

The patrons drank away their problems and insecurities... she did not. The patrons complained about the "ex"... she did not. The patrons found fleeting courage in a bottle... she did not.

There was no dancing or flirting for her. No compliments by admiring men, although she was more deserved than others. Yet, she saw obvious value and pleasure in just being there. She had the strength of a True Accomplishment, possessing a satisfaction that few in attendance would ever know.

Her wheelchair existence provided her with choices, more obvious choices than most will ever come to know. Perhaps it was the awareness of these choices that provides us all a gift.

This woman radiated such appreciation, confidence and consideration of the moment. Faced with monumental adversity this young woman's decision to be better not worse was quite evident. Was it her tragedy that made her recognize a decision needed to be made while healthy so called "normal" people can't even see the existence of other choices?

Will tragedy be necessary for you to see the value in "just being" there or wherever you are? Or, perhaps it is the dissatisfaction in knowing that where you are is someplace less than where you are capable of being that stains the time and hides the importance of every moment. Whatever the case, don't miss the wonderful gift that this young woman has given to me and by extension to you.

You have a continuous choice to find pleasure in every moment and to move towards a purpose that provides your satisfaction... Make it without such adversity.

Submitted by Anonymous

Appreciation