.:: By John B Grimes
As I swam back to an uneasy consciousness after eight days in a coma, the first thing I saw was darkness. I was disoriented by the darkness. I could hear—beeping machines, a constant stream of doctors, nurses, and therapists coming and going—but I couldn’t see. There was a tube in my nose. I had lost control of my muscles. Speaking was out of the question. I couldn’t even smile—not that I had cause to smile; I was exhausted, irritated, and confused. I had no idea what was going on, why I was there, how long I had been there, or how much longer I might continue to be.
My body felt heavy and uncooperative, as if it no longer belonged to me. The disorientation and frustration were overwhelming. But I quickly realized that time hadn’t stopped for me. Life had kept moving forward, and I had a choice to make: would I stay stuck in what I’d lost, or would I fight to create something new?
Life doesn’t always give us warnings. Sometimes it hits hard and fast, forcing us to adapt. But why wait for life to force your hand? Why wait for a wake-up call when you can take action now?
Ask yourself: What’s one thing you’ve been putting off? Starting a new habit? Saying something that needs to be said? Taking a leap you’ve been scared to try? Whatever it is, start today. The life you want begins with the choices you make right now.
When I woke up, I didn’t wait to start rebuilding. It wasn’t easy—learning to see, to walk, to talk, and even breathe again was a mountain to climb. But every step forward brought me closer to the person I wanted to become. You don’t have to wait for life to knock you down—take control today.
