What I Learned from Limits
October 7, 2009 by Lillie
The topic of this month’s groupwrite project at Middle Zone Musings is What I Learned from … Limits.
The most significant limits I’ve faced in my life were the physical limitations that followed my stroke. As I described in National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – The Next Three Days, there were many things I couldn’t do and few I could.
Faced with the possibility of never getting any better, I understood that the critical time was the next three days. If there was improvement during those crucial days, I would get better. If not, there might never be any improvement.
I vowed that I would improve in three days. You can read what I did and the results in the original post about the aftermath of the stroke.
From that experience, I learned:
- I would rather focus on the possibility that I could get better than on the possibility that I could remain in the same terrible condition for the rest of my life.
- Limits have power over me only as long as I grant them power.
- Lots of prayer coupled with determination can bring about miracles.
- Faith gives peace and confidence that no matter happens, I will be okay.
Excellent lessons, Lillie! Although I can’t truly relate to what you must have gone through, I can see the beautiful results from your words! God’s power has an amazing power to heal, doesn’t it? Especially up there in the ol’ gray cells, where the real battle usually plays out.
I’m reminded of the opening of Psalm 27: The Lord is the light of my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
A big ol’ tip o’ the hat to ya!
.-= Robert Hruzek´s last blog ..What I Learned From… Limits =-.
Thanks, Robert. That Psalm is a perfect expression.
Hi Lillie, Your four points here are a powerful path, thank you for sharing them. I love the way you have stated “Limits have power over me only as long as I grant them power.”
.-= Fred H Schlegel´s last blog ..When Trails Of Science and Art Cross =-.
Thank you, Fred. I’m glad you liked what I learned.
How is your husband doing?
Bluestocking,
He’s doing well. Thank you for asking. He’s still a little weak and wobbly, but all his other symptoms have gone away.
Hi, it is great for me read your article, yes you are right, when you mentioned that faith and prayer is your very powerful tool in facing your disability now, I know how difficult to live when you are got stroked, but with this limitation that stroke gave you, it is nothing, faith and prayer can make you powerful and strong.. God is there, so don’t lose your hope in living, keep fighting HE is always there to guide and help you.. Keep the faith.. thanks for the inspiration.. great article..
.-= Billy@permanent insurance´s last blog ..Best Life Insurance Quote Red Deer, Alberta – Save on your Life Insurance =-.
Billy,
I have been very blessed to have been healed of several serious problems. Look on my series page and follow the links to Healing Miracles.
Hi Lillie,
It is great lesson. i wish you will become well very soon.
Aditya,
I am doing very well now. Thank you.
I definitely agree with prayer and with limits only having power over you if you let them. It is so important to have your mind in the right place and realize that you do not have to be overcome by your circumstances.
Mark,
No, we don’t have to be overcome by our circumstances. We can overcome them.
Lillie, I am so sorry for your health but I am really proud of your attitude and your learning capabilities despite having such a history. I wasn’t aware of your health condition before. I know my friend’s uncle who is an incredible journalist. When he was peek in career he succumbed to this dreadful thing. I take lot of inspiration from him and this time to I lose my faith for god and prayers for being so cruel to great people. I simply dont understand the logic behind it. But whatever I consider everything is for good and life has to move on. I wish you only the best things from this world. Keep writing and enrich us with your knowledge.
–Mack McMillan
.-= Mack@Las Vegas Foreclosures´s last blog ..Commercial Real Estate Bubble =-.
Thank you, Mack. The stroke was long ago, and though I still have residual deficits, I am functional and productive and thankful. I don’t understand why things happen the way they do, either, but I do believe that God is in control. He wants only the best for us, and He will get us through any difficulty.
I think you`re really tough… Hope you`re doing ok. Will pray for you.
.-= Roger@kredittkort´s last blog ..Forbrukslån eller kredittkort? =-.
Thank you, Roger. I’m doing well—and I am tough.
This article is very good, I really applaud you for such a strong and steadfast in the face of your physical condition because you so believe in Allah SWT .. Although with these limitations you can not give up and get discouraged because God will always be beside you.Thanks for inspiration.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..5 Myths about the situation Exercises (2) =-.
Alex,
I have faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and He gives me the strength to deal with any adversity.
Lillie,
I just went back and read some those old posts where you talked about your stroke.
Thank you very much for sharing that. Your story was very powerful and inspirational – especially how you touched on the role that prayer and faith played in your healing.
It really sounds as though you adopted a very positive attitude throughout what I can only imagine was a very difficult time for you.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..BAE’s corruption allegations – make them face up to it this time =-.
Thank you, Andrew. I think a positive attitude is essential to the best outcome of any situation.
Limits…. its a nice taught regarding limits. there are some people who love to stay in limits and there is some sort of them who doesn’t like limits they want to to be free and in a world that don’t have limits …
Any way nice article, and expect more of these kind..
Thanks a lot.
.-= Jay designer Cochin Kerala´s last blog .. =-.
Thanks, Jay. There are times when limits are important for safety, but, in general, I don’t like limits.
Health problems can make your world come to a screeching halt. Sometimes I think the Lord allows us to land on our backs so that we will remember to look up to Him. It has been in those difficult moments that I have found the sweetest fellowship with Him!
.-= Sally Ferguson´s last blog ..Do you talk to your kids about sex? =-.
Sally,
I love that thought: the Lord allows us to land on our backs so that we will remember to look up to Him. That is so true and a wonderful way to look at trials.
We have a saying in our country that goes something like this “God gives, but he doesn’t also put it in your bag.” The meaning is that you have to strive a little to obtain what God has already trusted you to have. It’s something that got me trough a lot of troubles. I always thought that I could overcome anything, since God already had given me success, I just had to make the effort of getting there myself. Like a difficult exam – I wouldn’t pass it, if I’m not at least going to take it. I know a stroke is an entirely different story, but you kept your faith and tried.
Kelly,
That’s a great saying and very true.
My dad’s best friend had a mild stroke few years ago. I actually grew up seeing him as a healthy man, like dad. Then all of a sudden, he had this serious health problem. I think the non-stop vices, like smoking and drinking liquors, of my uncle (dad’s best friend) can be one of the reasons why he had that serious condition.
People tend to take for granted their health, up to the extent that they are pushing their capacity more than their limit.
Jon,
I guarantee smoking and drinking didn’t have anything to do with my stroke. I don’t do either and never have.
My stroke was caused by a chiropractic manipulation. My only fault was choosing the wrong chiropractor.
[...] What I Learned From Limits, by Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, an Editor’s Eye [...]
Lillie, faith playing a very important role in our life. Honestly, I would mostly crash and crumble, if I didn’t have the faith within myself!
.-= wilson´s last blog ..The Moments Where You Should not Laugh Loudly! =-.
wilson,
It’s good to see you back. You haven’t been around for a little while.
I would certainly crash and crumble without faith.
Hi Lillie,
I followed you over here from Cath’s blog.
Your post on Limits reminds me of the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
We must understand and accept our limits, and work and do the most with what we have!
Great post! steve @ display booths
steve,
I’m glad you followed me from Cath’s blog, and I love the Serenity Prayer. Thank you for the compliment of saying that my posts reminded you of the Serenity Prayer.
Sorry to hear about your stroke. My friend had a stroke about 3 years ago and he never recovered from it compeltely.Don’t give up though and never let anything stop you
.-= Johnny @ Make Money Online´s last blog ..How To Link Bait To Get Extra Backlinks =-.
Johnny,
Thank you for the encouragement. I’m doing well though I still have “deficits.”
Lillie keeping that positive attitude is what will get you through this. A couple of years ago my parents were hit in a fatal car crash and that rocked my world big time. Then during this same time frame my wife was diagnosed with needing a kidney transplant and I had to have a hip replacement all with this same time frame.
With all this on my plate and having lost several friends and family during this same two years I can tell you my attitude and faith are what kept me on track.
So Kuddos to you!
Al,
I’m so sorry you’ve gone through so much in such a short time. But I’m glad you have the faith and positive attitude to get you through.
That’s the spirit Lilie. There are indeed things in life that we couldn’t take charge even if we would want to. No matter how much our mind wants to do something, our body wouldn’t follow. I agree prayer is the only solution and great faith.
.-= Jeff@Avoid foreclosure in Las Vegas´s last blog ..Positve News – Realistic? =-.
Jeff,
Thanks for your positive encouragement.
What an inspiring piece of writing. I agree with your comments on reaching beyond our limits. Not to say that we should just say, I am well..and we will be well, but to have that Burning desire, to say I will make the best of this.
Neil,
Thank you. I like the way you expressed it as “a burning desire to make the best of it.”
I’ve learned that limits help make us try that much harder, giving us a sustaining push in life and enabling us to keep going forward, not giving up. It’s a strength.