Before my accidents, there were ten thousands things I could do. I could spend the rest of my life dwelling on the things that I had lost, but instead I chose to focus on the nine thousand I still had left.
Interpretation
Focusing on what you still have rather than what you've lost is a testament to resilience.
This quote by W Mitchell emphasizes the importance of perspective in the face of adversity. Instead of succumbing to the despair of loss after experiencing significant setbacks, Mitchell chooses to appreciate and focus on the remaining opportunities and capabilities. This mindset not only cultivates resilience but also enriches life by redirecting attention from what is absent to what is still possible.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming challenges after an injury, one might quote W Mitchell to inspire the audience.
It’s a wonder I’m even alive. Sometimes I think that. I think that I can’t believe I haven’t killed myself. But there’s something in me that just keeps going on. I think it has something to do with tomorrow, that there is always one, and that everything can change when it comes.
I will not yield to any man contrary to what is right, for fear of death, even if I should die at once for not yielding.
Confidence comes in going on personal journeys in a public arena and feeling as though you have a right to do that. You have to give yourself permission to discover what you need to discover and not worry about how pretty the journey is. If you're aware of the pretty, you're not going to dig into the mess.
Slaves do not always welcome their deliverers. They become accustomed to being slaves. They would rather gear those ills they have
That is not to say that we can relax our readiness to defend ourselves. Our armament must be adequate to the needs, but our faith is not primarily in these machines of defense but in ourselves.
The brave man, inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.
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