Last week life threw me a big life-lesson curveball. A curveball I did not see coming with an unexpectedly strong impact. Funny how life does that, just as you think your bases are covered, you've recovered from the last blow and everything is going along calmly. Boom, from left field something you hadn’t expected knocks you off your newly grounded feet.
I am so very grateful for my new blog, as had I not recently written and reflected on the importance of gratitude I may well have got lost in the sadness of this hardship. That’s what happens with life, you cannot control how it unfolds, all you can control is how you react. As difficult as it was, with the encouragement of a few loving friends (I love you guys dearly), I got myself up and out of the house to a place and people I love very dearly. Special Nippers.
Special Nippers is a program that brings volunteers and people with physical and intellectual disabilities together to enjoy the water, teach surf safely and share our love for the ocean. It is an incredible community. Many of our Special Nippers are my attitude role models with unique and insightful perspectives on this muddled thing we call life. They have taught me how essential gratitude, positivity, laughter and unity are to living a happy life.
As a beach and water lover yet an eternally cold blooded person (not to mention my height challenges), my special nipper and I often joke that after a good hour and a half of swimming and slashing, playing and learning in the often cool and icy water, it is in fact her that looks after me rather than the other way around. I think I can speak for all of the volunteers that we feel as though we get more out of each Saturday than the nippers themselves, if that is even possible. The hardships and obstacles these little nippers and families have faced and will face in their lives are far bigger and deeper than the woes that I am overcoming. Yet it is within these families and in the attitudes of these kids that I have seen so much joy, gratitude and love. Our nippers may have differing abilities to others but don’t we all?! Our varying abilities do not define us. Our personalities, attitudes, beliefs, joys, desires, humour and perspectives do.
My two little nippers are particularly positive little gems. Not once in the years of knowing them have I heard one complaint or one negative sentence. If a sandcastle is knocked over we simply smile and rebuild with a bigger and better idea, if it is a rainy Saturday we adapt our plans to arts and crafts, if our legs are tired we are thankful and reflective for the fun morning which tired them so. Their positivity is so innate and immediate it inspires me to be better. Both sisters are happy and healthy and loved and smart and able and incredible. I consider their family my family and I am so grateful to know them. Special Nippers was my moment of gratitude and safety this week, they lifted me ever so slightly back on my feet and in the direction I need to be headed.
If someone is getting you down, remember to be grateful for who you are, for what you have and what is to come. Keep strong and keep getting back up no matter what people may throw your way.
Peace and Love,
The Little Earthling