Inspirational (slightly OT)

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I have sent a few " Thoughts of the Day " emails to you

(www.connectingconnectors.com), which were all inspirational. But this one

just bowled me over and I wanted to share it with you all.

~Kat (see below for email)

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Hello Connectors!

Happy Thursday to all of you.

I received this letter and was asked to share it with all of you.

I think it speaks for itself.

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Dear Tawni,

Please share my letter with the rest of the Connectors.

I've been a member of your group for almost two years.

Two years. I can hardly believe how quickly the time

keeps marching on.

Each day I would look forward to reading your thoughts.

Each day I would vow that I would get started " the next day "

and do something about my health.

I work a very stressful job (who doesn't?) and I work long

hours (who doesn't?) I guess I fell into the trap of using

my job as an excuse to neglect just about everything else

in my life. All of my self esteem was wrapped up in my job.

I wish I could say I was making a ton of money so it was worth

it. If I'm honest I think I just liked having an " excuse " so I wouldn't have

to face all the things I needed to deal with. It's easier

to hide behind a well paying, great title, big office, job.

I kept thinking I'd start taking care of myself as " soon as things

slowed down " well, as you know that time never comes.

Each day I'd set the alarm and have every intention of getting

up and going for a walk or a bike ride before work, but I never

made it out the door. My job was more important. I'd get

to it " someday "

Over Memorial Day weekend in May I was involved in a major

car accident. I am now paralyzed from the waist down and

confined to a wheelchair. I will never forgive myself for hitting

the snooze button on life. All those mornings I didn't get up

and walk. What I wouldn't give for just one more chance.

I had many chances. I knew better. I wanted to do better

but I never " got around to it " I never even took the baby

step of laying my clothes out the night before like you suggest.

I'm guilty of reading all of your thoughts and taking absolutely

no action. I'll have to live with that regret from my wheelchair

for the rest of my life.

I no longer can work the job that I sacrificed my health for.

I no longer get to play with my kids. I am fighting not to

dive deep into a dark depression and throw a big pity party.

I know I had choices. I have choices now.

I want you to share my story with all of your Connectors, maybe

my tragedy will help somebody else to quit hitting the snooze

button and get out there and do it. It's such an over used

cliche, but who cares about your paycheck, your fancy office

and your title when you can't even walk?

I know there are lots of lessons for me to learn along the way.

All I know is from where I sit in my wheelchair, I glance out my

window and watch people walk by, or roller blade or ride their

bikes and I long for what " could have been "

I had plenty of chances and I blew it. I can never get that

time back.

Please tell the other Connectors to quit wasting time.

Tomorrow isn't promised to us. I know if I would have taken

care of my health I'd probably have a better chance at

recovery. I'm in such lousy pitiful shape, it's all the doctors

can do not to shoot me and put me out of my misery.

Shame on me Tawni. Shame on me!

I wish I could be writing you under better circumstances, but

if you could just share my letter with all of the Connectors maybe

somebody will wake up and pay attention.

I wasted too much time and kept sleeping in. I'll regret

that from my wheelchair till the day I die.

Thank you Tawni. Each and everyday you were in my mailbox

and I chose to do nothing about it. Shame on me.

Please tell your Connectors, quit wasting time!

-------------------------Connector Caroline in California

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Believe in Yourselves!

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Love,

TAWNI