Purpose

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy

I will never forget waking up in the ICU and wondering why I was still here.

And why someone else wasn’t.

Why? Because I got a second chance at life, and there was a reason.

I had a purpose; I didn’t know what it was at the time. But I was going to find out.

Purpose gives meaning to how you live your life and inspires you to move forward.

Recovering from a stroke, you may be asking yourself some of the same questions.

Your answers will be as unique as you are. The only thing I know for sure is that we all have a purpose. Sometimes it just takes time to figure out what it is.

Connection. Contribution. Passion.

One of these may be your “why”:

Connection: developing meaningful relationships and caring for those around you. 

Contribution: Making a positive impact on your community by getting involved. 

Passion: Doing what you truly love, like creating art, music, or writing.

Sometimes you have to overcome fear to find your purpose. 

Mine was that I wouldn’t be able to read and write the way I had before my stroke. I’ve always loved books, and developed a love of writing many years ago.

I didn’t want to give up, though, so I bought a couple of books and started reading one of them out loud every night after dinner. Even though I stumbled over some words and lost my place a few times, it gave me confidence. 

Now I’ve written a book, and I’m writing this blog too. 

My purpose is to write, uplift, and educate stroke survivors, their families, and friends.

You’ll find yours, and it may not be what you think it is.

Take the time to figure it out.