Ourselves

"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk our own path." — Buddha

These words inspire confidence in myself, and remind me to walk my own path. I believe I am able to stand up for what I want. These are new feelings for me. Don’t we all want to strongly believe in ourselves so that we are able to be our own person? I know I do. I suffered a very severe Traumatic Brain injury(TBI), and made a recovery the doctors did not predict. But in the process I was stripped of my self worth. Very few people can say that they have returned to a baby, not being able to walk or talk, and then come back again. The journey to return to a self-moving, self-thinking human being is incredibly difficult and humbling.

I want to be assertive and self-assured in what I am doing. For me, to be able to stand up for myself and voice what I want is very important. At the end of the day, I’ve learned that feeling confident is about knowing yourself and knowing what brings you a feeling of calm, centeredness and clarity. Knowing yourself and speaking up for your self brings confidence. How I live my life is in my control.

I know I need to rest, reflect, and recharge because of my injury. These are things I think that we all need to do to be more caring, calm, and compassionate human beings. So, if you are looking for centeredness in your life, just step back and imagine your life with the calm, peace, space and stillness you desire. It has taken me a long time to be able to speak up and ask for what I feel I need and desire. I think that we can understand how difficult it can be sometimes to speak our mind and be honest with ourselves.

As other people read the words of the Buddha, they may have the same unsure feelings that I have had in the past. I don’t know if my journey I is on has been the correct one, but I have learned that what might seem like the right path for one person, may be wrong for another. I think one should take some time to think about one’s own life, and what is most important. Listen to yourself. No one else can tell you what direction to travel.

I have realized that what is most important to me is helping others who have suffered a life-changing TBI.  I want to help them realize that they are in control of their own life and that through hope and hard work, a positive outcome is possible.

Do you feel in charge of your own life?

When I read this prayer by the Buddha, I realize that I say something like this everyday to myself. 

Dear God, please help me remember to value and appreciate the life you have given me and make the most of it. Whenever I feel lost or out of control, help me come back to myself and remember that you've given me all I need to move forward. Amen.