(pronounced Voy-a-chich). He is an amazing guy who is hugely inspiring.
Nick was born without arms and legs and when I first read the title of his book I read it wrongly as
'Life without limbs' because I assumed it was stating the fact that Nick has no arms and legs. But it was stating the fact that Nick has chosen to live life without limits despite his lack of limbs! It seems there is nothing Nick cannot do. He can do things that a lot of able bodied people can't do and more! He swims, surfs, skateboards... just about anything really! He loves the challenge of overcoming obstacles and doesn't give up easily.
It made me think about how easy it is for us to put a limit on the things we do.
How many of us miss out on things because we feel we can't do it or put barriers up so that we won't have to go through it even if something good might come of it?
For Nick there is the obvious physical limitation in his life, which he has managed to overcome with his positive attitude and the help of various gadgets to make life easier but for a lot of people it is 'the mind' that stops them from overcoming life's obstacles.
Fear and the thought of failure has a strong hold over how we live our lives at times. We ask too many 'what if?' questions and end up later on in life saying 'if only!
The mind is a powerful thing. I know. Anyone who has ever experienced depression or anxiety will know that the mind is your own worst enemy!
It is not always easy to overcome the battlefield of our minds but Nick puts his success in overcoming his difficulties with the positive mental attitude he chooses to have.
Some would say that this is difficult in the midst of difficult circumstances or when in the depths of depression or despair but I think Nick proves that nothing is impossible. We can sink or swim, we can fall or fly.
Nick says that the way we live life is all about attitude...we can choose to be positive even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is the way we react to our circumstances that can make all the difference.
Nick himself suffered severe depression as a youngster losing all hope for his life and became suicidal. It was his faith in God that saved him.
His faith and trust in God's plan and purpose for his life has helped him to become the person he is today. He used to question why...why me? But now he is touching hearts and lives with his story. Had he not been born without limbs he would have no doubt been living a very ordinary life! But he has used his struggles in life to inspire others going through difficult and challenging times.
One of Nick's favourite bible verses (mine too) is Jeremiah 29 verse 11-13:
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Nick is actually thankful for being born the way he is. Life hasn't been easy for him but he has found a purpose to his life and is now an inspirational speaker and attends thousands of speaking events around the world, sharing more about his life and how he has overcome the seemingly impossible.
Nick shares, that the way forward when in the depths of depression or in the midst of difficult circumstances, is not to focus on your problems but to focus on the solutions to your problems. He reminds us to not focus on our limitations but to look at the possibilities!
Sadly, suffering is a part of life and people have bad things happen to them but it doesn't have to define who you are as a person.
Stephanie Nielson, whom I have written about before, is also an inspirational person to me.
She was burned 80% over her body in a plane crash 5 years ago.
She says "I am not my body!" And she is right...she is so much more than that. Her spirit, determination and thankfulness for what happened to her is amazing. She celebrates the anniversary of the accident instead of feeling sad about it because her way of looking at it is that she has had a second chance at life...she didn't die that day! And she still gets to enjoy life with her family despite her difficulties.
I mentioned how Nick surfs and it was another inspirational person, Bethany Hamilton, that introduced him to the sport.
She is a champion surfer...with only one arm! She lost her arm in 2003 in a shark attack at the age of 13 whilst out surfing. She lost 60% of her blood and was close to death but survived.
Within the month, she was out surfing again and like Nick, she is also a Christian and gives praise and glory to God that she is still able to surf and share her story with people around the world.
Amazing! And on 17th August this year she got married!
Nick recently got married too and has a son. You can read more about Nick here:
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick/bio/
What a happy picture!
He truly is an inspirational guy and has certainly made me think about how I live my life.
Finally, I saw these words of truth the other day that reminds us of what God wants us to be...Victorious! We can overcome obstacles and barriers if we try and don't give up!
I have to say although my own story has had some suffering but nothing on the level of the above mentioned I agree with the attitude of one life live it. Life is a gift and we should make the most of it.
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