The Champion Inside

About eight months after becoming a quadriplegic, I was enduring a particularly difficult time.  I’d been blessed, and up to that time hadn’t really gone through and depression of any kind.  But, now it seemed as though things were beginning t mount.   I was more frustrated, depressed and discouraged and down than I had ever been since the accident.

I had been taught often about of the power of gratitude in the home I grew up in, and felt that if I had any chance to find a way out of the darkness my feelings had brought with them, it would be in large part because of some increase in my own gratitude.

In an effort to find a way to feel blessed, I pulled out a piece of notebook paper from my backpack and numbered it to 100.  I felt like 100 would be a lot, but nothing that couldn’t be easily handled in 15-20 minutes.

I was right—about the first 25.  They were simple and easy.  They were the big ones—stuff like family and friends, where I lived and what I had.

The second 25 took a little more thought.  The third 25 really made me think.  And, at 16, in order to finish the last 25, I wrote down anything I could see.  I was thankful for stuff like light bulbs, pencils, and the tacks that held up the posters in my room.

In fact, Number 99 on my list was the fact that I could pick my nose. (For more about that read here.)

It took the entire afternoon and most of the evening, but, when I was finished, I had my list.  Just having it in my hands made me more grateful; and by being more grateful, I began to feel the beginnings of a more positive attitude.

Through the next weeks and months, every time I felt down or depressed, frustrated or fraught with negativity, I pulled out my list—and each time I read my list, I started concentrating on what I did have and quit worrying about what I didn’t.  This new tool helped me to see the best and forget the worst.

This Thanksgiving I have been thinking about that original list more than usual.  So, in the spirit of the season and in honor of the original list, I spent some time yesterday creating a new list.

The thing that surprised me the most, was that my heart was as lifted as much this time as it was when I created the original list on that lined notebook paper all those years ago.

Here it is then.  I share it with you hoping that maybe seeing mine will inspire you to make a list of your own.  If you will, I promise a spirit filled with gladness and hope and a excellent tool in the fight to stay positive.

Remember what I’ve said before, “There’s not enough room in the human heart for depression and gratitude at the same time.”

Jh-

Jason Hall’s 100 Things To Be Thankful For

1. My Faith
2. Kolette
3. Coleman
4. Mom
5. Dad
6. Kendra
7. Clinton
8. Brandon
9. Nathan
10. Mom Coleman
11. Dad Coleman
12. Brothers & Sisters In-Law
13. Grandparents
14. Nieces
15. Nephews
16. Living in the United States
17. Chance To Have Freedom of Religion
18. Power Wheelchairs
19. Accessible Vans
20. Opportunity to get the best Healthcare
21. Powerful Friends
22. My Car
23. Our Home
24. Heat
25. Air Conditioning
26. Clothing
27. Computers
28. iPhone (and the return of the bar phone)
29. Voice Recognition Software
30. National Ability Center
31. Disabled Skiing
32. Bi-Skii’s
33. Sight
34. Hearing
35. Sense of Smell
36. Full Use of My Mental Faculties
37. Growing up in Boise
38. The Chance to live in The Eastern US
39. Interfecal Pumps
40. Graduating with my High School Class
41. Attending BYU
42. Working as BYUSA President—and all the people I worked with
43. IVF
44. I CSI
45. TESI
46. Rock Band
47. The Million Dollar Round Table
48. Mutual Of New York (and the people there)
49. Garrett Burger, Large Gems, and a Cherry Scotch and Soda
50. The Bible
51. The Book of Mormon
52. My Testimony
53. My Eternal Marriage
54. Pistachio Dessert
55. My Eagle Scout
56. The Scouting Program
57. The Chance To Serve
58. Football
59. Words Written in my Journal by my Mom When I Was a Kid
60. Baby Ruth Bars
61. Broadway Musicals
62. Cougars, Cowboys, Jazz, Celtics, Yankees, Real Salt Lake
63. My Letterman Jacket
64. The Ten Lepers by Jack Christensen
65. Electricity
66. Television
67. Ability to Move My Arms
68. Atonement
69. Repentance
70. Fasting
71. Prayer
72. Plan of Salvation
73. Miracles
74. My Boys in New Canaan
75. The YM in Syracuse
76. Optimism
77. The Ability to Speak Publically
78. Disability Insurance
79. Workmans Comp
80. The Inspiration to Go to Work on 21 November 1997
81. Great Nurses
82. Great Neighbors
83. My Cousin David
84. Love of Singing (and how it literally saved my life)
85. Family History
86. Great Music
87. Uplifting Music
88. Movies
89. Showers/Shower Chair
90. Forgiveness
91. Repentance
92. Having Kolette at My Side.
93. Good Parking
94. Straws
95. Ramps
96. Elevators
97. Family Dinners
98. Goals
99. The Fact That I Can Pick My Nose
100. Lists of Gratitude