How would you feel if from the moment you were born, you were told that you would live a limited and short life? Where you would be unable to move, eat, live without someone else’s support? That’s pretty much a raw summary of what Nick Vujicic had to go through.
This person with such a narrow window for life not only overcame his physical limitations, but has become one of the most inspirational motivational speakers in the world. Acting like a symbol of true mental liberation in the face of dire circumstances.
Rare disease and an underdeveloped system
Nick was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1982. No arms, no legs, two small feet all due to a syndrome called Tetra-Amelia. This is a rare embryonic disease characterized by the absence of upper and lower limbs. Most of the time it also causes some other deformations in other parts of the body, which usually lead to death.
As he grew older and decided to go to school, he was unable to, because there were laws in Victoria (his state) that would not allow disabled kids to join regular schools. After legally overcoming these barriers, Nick was one of the first disabled kids to join regular school in his area.
This was just one of the many battles he would have to fight. Besides the fact that there was no proper structure to access toilets or to use a computer, he would generally have to face bullying from the other kids.
Overcoming predictions
What would someone expect from a person facing such huge challenges? Naturally, depression. Which comes from a sense of meaninglessness, and continuous trials.
For some time, Nick gave himself up to depression due to the bullying he suffered. He even thought about putting an end to his life despite the love and care of his parents. When he was around 17, he came across other stories of disabled people and realized he was not the only one. That’s when he decided to make the most of it.
Adopting a stoic view
At that moment Nick acknowledged there was nothing he could do about his condition but to accept it. And once he did, he became a role model to many people. He started giving lectures and sharing the gospel with people. He showed his gratitude for what he had, which went far beyond a crippled body. And that’s exactly what people saw. A fighter, a champion with an endless spiritual power.
The key to acceptance is not only believing but also knowing there is a purpose for all that happens. And even when it does not seem to have any sort of justice in it, the law that rules the Universe is indeed just.
Nick graduated as an accountant and started sharing his life story with many. He wrote a couple of books and founded an NGO called Life without Limbs.
Committing to the way
Nick is an evangelist and a lecturer that travels around the world inspiring many, along the journey. And he does so very well not because he talks about being happy, no matter what. Its because he made happiness the way and not the end of his journey.
“If you look for happiness in things you will never find it.”
When you look at someone that overcame such hardship, you wonder that if they can do it, then so can you. They had to learn to accept the limitations of their condition to create a great life, and so can you. That success is but a choice.
He could have become someone worthy of pity, instead, he became an inspiration, and we’re not talking about being an inspiration for disabled people, we’re talking about people with perfect bodies that take it for granted because they don’t look like the Hollywood star. Being grateful is a powerful tool for changing your life, and Nick reminds us of it.
He talks about gratitude and acceptance. When acceptance happens, life does too. When you accept what you cannot control, you move your focus away from that situation or condition that is restraining your wings. You look up, you look beyond, and you break the chains you have attached yourself to. That’s what Nick did, and so can you.
