If It is to be, It’s up to me…

If it is to be it is up to me. Those words echoed in my head as I started my recovery from the terrible explosion that changed my life so drastically. I was in a wheelchair, my wife had left me and I was broke. Things were looking pretty dark but with the help of good friends and God’s grace I started to rebuild my life. I started working out with my Rugby buddies. They had me lifting weights and throwing a medicine ball around. At first I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to do but before long it was something I needed. I learned to love the gym all over again. I learned to love life again.

We all face hard times. We all at some point face turning points. We can choose to fall into despair or learn to never give up and climb inch by inch into the light. Life is going to throw some things at you, that’s for sure. What’s important is that we are able to take the shots life throws and keep getting up moving toward the good times that are our due. It’s perseverance that makes us successful. It’s our ability to persevere over life’s adversities that will see us through until the sun shines again. We have power over our own happiness. Believe it, make it happen, choose to be optimistic and you will overcome any obstacle.

Right now people are losing jobs, gas is getting more expensive and the media is full of doom and gloom. Well, this too shall pass. Things will get better. The trick is to keep your chin up and do what you must to keep your head above water and keep moving forward. A good work-out never hurts and it doesn’t even have to cost anything! Take a brisk walk or run. Do some push-ups. Play ball with your kids. Just try to take advantage of any good times you can and make an effort to create more good times. Put your brain to work and innovate. If what you’ve been doing hasn’t been working then change! If you feel down, well that’s ok – we’ve all been there, but don’t stay down. Nobody ever won a fight by staying down when they could get up. You CAN get up. Whatever problem you face you can overcome it. I believe in you, all that’s needed is for YOU to believe in you. So look around, dust yourself off and realize there’s always a way. Look in the mirror and say “If it is to be it is up to me.” Soon you’ll find there’s no challenge you can’t face and you’ll be happier and healthier. That’s all for now, go get some exercise!

Keep Going for the GOLD! Never Give Up!

Kevin Saunders