The Gift of Second Chances

Who doesn’t want a do-over?

American humorist Will Rogers is credited with saying,

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Sports teams and players often wish they could undo the big mistake that cost them the game. Even with instant replay, they seldom get a “do-over.”

Life presents most of us with numerous opportunities to try again for success. In a way, the start of every year and even every day is a new beginning—a second chance. In the Weight Watchers program, we are told if you mess up your food choices one day, start fresh the next and get back on tract.

What life events produce the opportunity for a second chance? They are very stressful and change life in an instant. 

• ·       Loss of a loved one, job, or relationship
• ·       Traumatic event, accident, or natural disaster
• ·       A health crisis
• ·       Failure or defeat

  What do we do when life deals us a body blow that takes the wind out of our sails?

The American Psychological Association explains the importance of resilience in recovering from stressful situations. “Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences. Research has shown that resilience is ordinary, not extraordinary. People commonly demonstrate resilience. One example is the response of many Americans to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and individuals' efforts to rebuild their lives.”

Many non-fiction books and movies are written about people who overcome major adversity and develop the skills necessary to move on with their lives. Sometimes you have to experience the worst to appreciate the best.

The ultimate “do-over” or second chance is laid out in the third chapter of the Gospel of John. The process of being “born from above” transforms a person and gives them the ability to see the world through spiritual eyes and grants a believer eternal life. John 3:6-7

April is National Donate Life Month which recognizes and celebrates organ donation. The selfless act of organ donation provides second chances for recipients who would otherwise die from organ failure.

 I spoke this week at a Christian Women’s Connection luncheon with the theme, “Second Chances.”  They promoted the importance of organ donation and I presented my story and testimony—“Three Amazing Gifts and a Second Chance at Life.”

My speech was inspired by my memoir which many of you have read. My book makes a great gift for someone dealing with difficult times.

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Born Three Times—A New Life, A New Liver, A New Love

Until 4/30/17, I am selling signed copies of my book for $13 each (includes US postage.)  Send an email to friedasdixon@gmail.com. A stamped, addressed envelope will be enclosed for your payment convenience.

Comment on my blog below and tell me about your gift of second chances.

Celebrate Life

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Oprah Winfrey

Two amazing elderly women inspire me to make the most of every season of my life—no matter how old I am.

Just after her husband of 67 years died, Norma was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of getting the standard cancer treatment, she told her doctor, "I’m 90 years old. I’m hitting the road." She then began an indefinite road trip across the US with her retired son and his wife. (Excerpted from the Facebook page, Driving Miss Norma)

Accompanied by her Standard Poodle Ringo, Norma’s trip of a lifetime has so far included visiting the National Parks and Disney World. She has also enjoyed whale watching and riding in a hot air balloon. Sure beats radiation, chemotherapy, blood work, tests and more tests that might not make much difference in prolonging Norma’s life.

Miss Norma & Ringo

Jean Veloz is an American dancer born in the 1920’s. She started her dancing career when the Lindy and Jitterbug were sweeping the country. She and her husband, Ray, won many dance competitions and even stared in a movie about the new craze. Eventually, Jean married Frank Veloz, an international dancer, and they danced on Frank’s TV show until the 1950’s. She came out of retirement in 1992 and today at age 90 is “back in the swing of things” on the dance floor. She is celebrating life to the full and shows no signs of slowing down. Click on this link to see Jean dance.     http://sfglobe.com/?id=3093&src=fbfan_3093

The key to both of these remarkable women’s longevity is that they keep their bodies moving by staying active and keeping their minds sharp by engaging in life. 

The stated purpose of this blog is to motivate senior adults to discard the stereotypes of ageing and to find ways to celebrate life in spite of biological age. We call all discover what keeps us motivated and sharp as long as God keeps us on this earth. Just like Jean and Norma, we all have the potential to celebrate life to the fullest.

April is National Donate Life Month which is near and dear to my heart. So many lives are saved each day by families who in the midst of their grief make the difficult decision to donate their loved ones organs. You can help others have more healthy lives and enable them to live to enjoy their senior adult years, by becoming an organ donor. I will always be grateful to the family who made that a possibility for me.

April Showers Bring .....

… Lots of pretty flowers and anniversaries. It’s been a blustery April in north Georgia with lots of rain and wind. Today, however, is one of the most beautiful days of the year so far. April and May are two of my favorite months – springtime days before the heat of summer settles in here in Georgia.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at a ladies retreat with the April Showers Bring May Flowers theme.  I shared my testimony and stories from my book Born Three Times.  We talked about how the tough times in life (those April showers) make it possible to bloom like May flowers and bless other people in the process.

There are other things I like to celebrate in May besides the pretty weather. It will soon be seventeen years since I received my second chance at life when a healthy donor liver replaced the diseased liver in my body. It’s with mixed emotions I celebrate my life as I still reflect on the family who made the difficult decision to donate their loved ones liver in May of 1998.  April is National Donate Life Month to encourage people to register to be organ donors and to tell their families about their decision. Please consider checking that box on your driver’s license. Currently, nearly 124,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States.

My blog anniversary is also in May. In 2012 I started my twice-monthly blog and can’t believe how quickly the months have flown by. This is my number 72 post. I’ve had 15,251 clicks to this date. People from countries all over the world have read what I have written. I want to keep on keeping on and am continually looking for new ideas. Your input is always appreciated.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and it’s another reason to celebrate in May. My own mother has been gone for twenty-eight years and the older I get find myself imitating her in some of my ways. Being a mother to two adult sons and grandmother to five grandchildren continues to fill my life with challenges and blessings. As a step-mother to Charles’ two children and his grandchildren, my life has grown in ways I never imagined.

Celebrate those April showers and May flowers God has placed in your life and share those blessings with others.

“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”
Song of Solomon 2:11-12