Are you lucky, or are you blessed?

05.01.2025

The tenth of January 2025 is the 30th anniversary of the day that it happened, I had a life-altering hemorrhagic stroke. In short, the stroke wasn’t immediately recognized and because of this, I have been completely paralyzed since that day. L.I.S. call it; Locked-In Syndrome (LIS, is a condition in which a patient is aware but cannot move or communicate verbally due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in their body except for vertical eye movements and blinking.)

(I often wonder if it is a record. I have not met or heard of someone that has had LIS longer than I do.)

Are you lucky, or are you blessed? Is there a difference you might ask, and if so, what is the difference?

To me it is very simple. A person who is blessed is such a person who is grateful for what they have. They appreciate what the universe has sent their way. They cherish, value, respect, protect the people, love, moments, and all the good in their lives. They acknowledge the blessings.

A lucky person does not do any of these. Quite the opposite, this person neglects what comes their way, being so the people, the love, the moments in all the favorable things that come their way. They don’t cherish, value, respect, or protect the blessings that come their way. They under appreciate the people, the love, the moments.

When the doctor explained what had happened to me, he used this metaphor. He said that it was like winning the jackpot in a lottery but in reverse (1 chance in tens of millions.) If you think about it and that way; You must be extremely lucky to win the lottery. What does that make me then? Utterly unlucky?

Hmm…

I will tell you what I am, I AM BLESSED!

(Souls that make you whole)

THE PEOPLE. Against the advice of medical experts and social workers, my parents took me home with them instead of putting me in an institute where I would be just one more patient. My mother fought for my rights so that I could get a pension and proper care.

(Sparks of emotions that will last forever)

THE LOVE. Family and good friends always took time to come and visit, spend time with me, and keep me in their lives.

(Precious time that remains the heart)

THE MOMENTS. My mother travelled with me all over the world with all the difficulties of travelling with a wheelchair.

(Kindness, the true affirmation of human intelligence)

THE GOOD. I had many assistants who took good care of me, some becoming good friends, and some becoming like family.

(Dreams can come true)

THE GREAT. Along the way, I met a person, a guy to share my life with, a man who took my life to another level, giving it purpose, a soul to share the love, the moments, and the good with.

I am BLESSED, … definitely.

I have learned many things about life in the past 30 years.

One of those most important lessons is that your life is what you make of it, no matter what the situation.

And the best tool to navigate life with is your perspective and your attitude.

Even what we believe is a random fact like: having luck or being blessed is a matter of mindset and behaviour.

The truth is and will remain that no matter the circumstances, we all have the freedom and the power to choose our demeanour. And that is how we shape our lives.