Gratitude to me is appreciating ALL results in my life.

This is a choice and it allows me to learn and make the next choice in my life. You see, life is all feedback. It’s all learning. I have learned so much from this experience and it has led me to re-prioritize my life.

There are things that were important to me that I have no interest in today. I think we all have things like this. I say let them be more extreme. No sense in living a life you don’t want to.

So, what do you really want? What experiences do you really want in this life?

Those questions start the conversation. Then you can step-by-step get there. You have to start. As I recovered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome, I had to do it step by step.

When I could NOT walk, I couldn’t just get up and practice walking. I first had to relearn the steps before. Sitting up in bed, getting to the edge of the bed, getting out of bed, and standing up.

My Feldenkrais practitioner, Yayoi Lewis, said to me, “Steve, in order to be a good walker, you need to be a great stander! So, let’s work on standing first.”

Thank you Yayoi.

In one year,

Physically, I’ve gone from being paralyzed to now walking up to 90 minutes. Running and jumping are next. Here I come ‍

Emotionally, I’ve had some dark days, but with my gratitude mindset, meditation practices, loving family and supporting friends I never had a dark week.

Mentally, I had to re-train my body to function again. (Thank you to all the practitioners who helped me throughout.) I also had to re-train my mind to slow down in extreme ways. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. It also allows you to stop and smell the roses. With that, I’ve solved problems quickly, because I gave myself time to sort it out. Slow really is faster.

Spiritually, I have grown so much. There were days I did nothing but meditate. I had direct conversations with my soul, spirit, God and found a deeper meaning to who I am in this universe. My grandparents (who are no longer in their bodies on this earth) came and visited me and let me know I’m doing good. They said they are proud of me.

How could I trade this experience with anything? I can’t!!

I’m not recommending Guillain-Barré Syndrome to anyone as a tool for personal growth. I hope by sharing this you can find your own growth without going through what I have.

May your life be blessed with all you desire.

Thank you all for your support and encouraging me though this year.

Happy one year anniversary to the new me.