On Friday, I had the unique opportunity to be at my daughter’s school to listen to a guest speaker. I’m not sure who was more enthralled by it, the parents or the kids…likely a tie! It was so powerful, so inspiring and absolutely amazing. Days later and I am still thinking about it and the incredible spirit of this young lady. Truly amazing.
I was lucky enough to hear Jen Bricker tell her story. An acrobat and aerial artist, tumbling champion and former Junior Olympian. All of that in and of itself is amazing, but what makes it even more incredible is that Jen Bricker has no legs. Yes, an acrobat, aerial artist, and tumbling champion, with no legs. Her story goes far deeper than being born without legs. She was abandoned at the hospital upon her birth and the couple that adopted her at three months old raised her in the most admirable way. I have never met them, but I think they may be two of the most remarkable people on earth. The way they raised their daughter is so inspiring. She was raised to never use the word, “can’t.” In her own words, she said her parents, “never put a ceiling on my dreaming.” They lifted her up in every sense of the word, supported her, and engrained in her a life without limits.
She says she is living the life she was meant to live and it is unfolding exactly as it is supposed to. Her positive outlook, gratitude and courage is so inspiring. We are all living the life we are meant to live and it is up to us how we choose to interpret it and let it play out. It is up to each one of us to move forward with an attitude that encompasses gratitude for what we have and an open mind and receptivity for the possibilities that exist and that we can create. In the words of Jen Bricker’s parents, “Never put a ceiling on your dreaming.”
We are all presented with obstacles and challenges in life, some far greater or more difficult than others, but with whatever we are presented, we have two choices: a negative or positive outlook/response to the situation. The choice is ours alone. This is a power that can change the course of our lives in how we choose to approach any situation. Had Jen Bricker’s parents allowed for her to resolve herself to a negative outlook on her situation in life, can you imagine how different her life would look? She took the high road, the optimistic and positive road, and that has made all the difference.
A positive approach breeds gratitude and more positivity in your life. When you allow optimism in, then your mindset shifts, allowing for limitless capabilities. I challenge you to take the phrase, “I can’t,” out of your vocabulary. What would shift in your life if you allowed yourself to opt for optimism and a positive mindset? Dream high, dream low, dream big, dream small…just dream, believe and then DO!!!