Saying that Bethany Hamilton, the famous one-armed professional surfer, is an inspiration is an understatement. The movie Soul Surfer was everything a PG inspirational story should be, but still it was so much more because of the eyes with which Bethany sees life. At one point in the movie while being interviewed by a camera crew post-competition after her shark attack, she was asked if she could change that fateful day where she lost her arm, would she? Her answer was one of the most beautiful statements I have ever heard: “No, because losing my arm has enabled me to embrace more people with love than I ever could have with two arms.”
Embrace the world, she does. The most warming part of her story is that she has accomplished something seemingly impossible – becoming a professional surfer – with a missing limb that plays a major role of importance in a sport where balance and body control is everything. This is determination defined. She is the epitome of athletic psychological triumph, for she has proven that is the mind is willing the body will follow.
Our minds are more powerful than we could possibly imagine. When engaged with the right perspective, they can transform negative circumstances into miraculous blessings for both ourselves and others. Harness any negative thoughts that you are inclined to think and push them aside. Choose how you will surf the rough waves of your life, for remember, without turmoil, the ocean would never produce waves, and without the rough of waves, surfers would never have be able to experience the joy ride of being one with the water on a wave. Let the rough waters and waves of your life bring out the triumphant surfer in you.