Thursday; August 8

I have been reading a biography by Jackie Speier entitled, “Undaunted:  Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back” that describes her incredible journey from the jungles of Guyana to Washington D.C. and beyond.  If you aren’t familiar with her story, Speier was part of Leo Ryan’s congressional investigative team that went to Jonestown, Guyana to check on Jim Jones and the People’s Temple.  On November 18, 1978 Ryan’s team was gunned down as they prepared to come back to the United States while Jones led his faithful in a mass suicide (murder).  Speier was shot multiple times and after almost a full day in the sweltering jungle heat was within hours of dying.  Fortunately medical help arrived in time to save Speier and she began her long recovery.  Not only did she have to regain her physical strength, she also had to rebuild her shattered life and dreams.  How did she do it?  In a sense, she willed herself to get on with her life.  As she recounts that part of her recovery she writes, “I refused to spend the rest of my life as a victim of Guyana – there were too many of them”.  She goes on to say, “I vowed to myself to use my resulting intimate awareness of life’s fragility to take risks, to live each day with fearless urgency.”. 
Jackie Speier’s story is incredible, but it isn’t unique.  There are many people who have been injured (either physically or emotionally) to the point that they must make a choice.  Will they allow themselves to become a victim or will they use their trauma to propel them to success?  Anyone can give up (and many do), but people who choose to overcome their circumstances can rebuild their lives.
Are you struggling with something horrible that has happened to you?  Has someone damaged you?  If so, make the choice today to not be a victim of circumstances; rather become a victor over them!
          Think About It!

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