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Cross legged on the floor while painting, crafting, or recording myself playing my ukulele was how I spent the majority of my time prior to losing my leg. I would also just sit on the floor while I’d meditate or stretch into yoga poses to allow myself to de-stress. Spending time on the floor is never something I expected to be taken away from me, but the process of healing from my injuries prevented me from making my way to the ground. I never thought I’d miss such a simple task, but I made it a goal for myself to get down from my wheelchair onto the ground, then get back up into my wheelchair from the ground.

I am happy to announce that a few days ago, I made the plunge onto my beloved and very missed yoga mat. I was amazed at the stretches I could still do, and I made sure to take the time to really feel every stretch throughout my body and to focus on nothing but the moment. When it comes down to it, that’s all that we have–the present moment. All we have is right now.

I wish I could take back all of those times I got sick of walking or sick of standing, all of those times I’d procrastinate my chores and lay on my couch instead, or all of those times I’d easily rush down my stairs without giving it a second thought. I wish I could get into a time machine and head back to those moments where I didn’t get my butt outside and go for a run. I’d let my past self know that someday I wouldn’t be physically be able to do it and to seize the moment. I miss feeling the early morning Florida sun on my face, working up a sweat, allowing the air to inflate and deflate my lungs, and getting my heart rate up while getting lost in whatever song I was jamming out to on my Airpods while I would run. Although there is hope, my prosthesis said it is possible for me to run again, it is still something that I currently cannot do. It is something I never thought I’d miss so dearly.

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From the floor, I thought about how incredibly valuable it is to not take anything or anyone for granted. This is a lesson that we have all learned time and time again, but sometimes we forget. We forget how important the people in our lives are until someday they are gone. We forget how lucky we are to be able to eat, walk, sleep, easily go up and down a flight of stairs, stretch our bodies, or sit on the floor. I am here to remind you today to be thankful for all of those simple tasks. I am here to remind you to cherish and love the body that you currently have. Be grateful for the ability to move, walk, and stretch.

I also want to reiterate the importance of setting goals for yourself. Start small and focus yourself on one small goal. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen- regardless of the mental, emotional, or physical adversities that stand in your way. I am here to remind you that you can achieve your goals with patience, self-love, and gratitude. If I can figure out a way to have hope and faith that I am going to live a long, full life after almost losing mine, you can find a way to have hope and faith in yourself to live your life the way YOU want. If I can find hope and faith to get myself onto the floor into a Baby Cobra and Downwards Dog with a leg and a half after about a month of sitting in my wheelchair or laying in a hospital bed, you can find hope and faith in yourself to tackle whatever you’ve been wanting to achieve. I got this. You got this. We all got this. Namaste, friends.

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