- Striving - Working your tail off to keep your head above water. Barely making it.
- Surviving - Doing the minimum it takes to survive...treading water.
- Thriving - Easily staying afloat with little effort. This is a place where you're really killing it in life.
Since my hemi-arthroplasty, ( partial shoulder replacement) to my right shoulder, I have been making sure I do what it takes to not only survive, but I know I'm going to thrive and really use this time to get ahead. A few things have been giving me resistance. First, a mental/spiritual battle of loneliness. I have been seeking for a significant other in my life. I'm trying not to let being alone drive me to a negative state of mind. Honestly...it has been hard, more so recently since only one person has come to visit me since my surgery. Though many promised. Not driving or doing much more than reading and physical therapy daily leave me with much time on my hands to do nothing. I am trying to use this time to make the leap between surviving and thriving. While I know I am trying, it has been hard to put my finger on the catalyst to effect these changes. I know the freedom that the full healing of my shoulder and driving freedom will bring me, so I carefully bide my time to that point. Current Favorite motivational items include "School of Greatness" podcast by Lewis Howes. The other entertaining podcasts like "How to do everything" and NPR's "Ask Me Another" trivia game-show. Thanks to my 4 Corners Church friend Doug for those suggestions. Further ahead on my survival to Thrive stairs is rebuilding something I've lost since my last major Trial...that is a positive driving attitude to push through emotional and physical hurdles toward my freedom launchpad. I'm grateful for my parents and kids during this time for the help and joy brought to my life while I'm recovering.
**REMEMBER, Dont just strive, survive...and eventually you can thrive. each transition takes effort, goals, gratitude and sometimes grace. But, you can do it. I know I can. Surely if I can, you can achieve great things.
Peace.Love.Hope,
Leif