When Arctic explorer Peter Freuchen was dog-sledding across Greenland, he was buried by an avalanche. He crapped his snowsuit, but was it from fear? No. He fashioned a dagger from his own frozen feces and dug himself free from his icy almost-grave. His number 2 ingenuity saved his arse and he went on to live an exceptionally vivid life as an adventurer, defeater of Nazis, and game show winner.
When Jean-Dominique Bauby endured a massive cerebral stroke and woke up weeks later completely paralyzed and speechless with the rare condition called Locked In Syndrome, did he give up the ghost? No. When he realized that the only part of his body he could move was his right eyelid, did he shut it and wink hello to the Grim Reaper? No and no. He said “yes” to life and fulfilled his purpose as a husband, father and journalist. He mentally composed and edited a book in his mind. Then, through a code that consisted solely of blinking his right eyelid, he dictated it one letter, one blink at a time. In this manner he wrote the masterful memoir that is his legacy, titled The Diving Bell and The Butterfly.
When Pascale Honore became paralyzed from the belt down as a result of a car accident, did she allow her disability to sideline her? No. She was an active mother of two surfing sons and she focused on her abilities--what she could do, not what she couldn’t. She spent many adventurously happy days at the beach with her lads and their friends. Did she choose to simply sit in her wheelchair and smile while her sons rode the waves? No, she did not. Her dream of surfing became a reality when one of her sons’ friends, a professional surfer named Tyron Swan, created a duct tape harness and attached Pascale to his back. Did they “hang twenty” together and tandemly surf the waves with gorgeous grins gripping their faces? Yes.*
My friend, health care advocate Megan, has been living with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease since she was two years old. Her serious medical conditions cause pain and impact every aspect of her life. Her conditions made an ostomy necessary. That’s a surgery to redirect the contents of the intestine through a new opening in the stomach, called a “stoma.” After the procedure, did she hide her stoma? No, she did not. She took on the nom de colostomy “Megan the Front Butt,” and started a YouTube channel where she entertains and inspires. She fearlessly addresses the facts and shares information about living with a stoma. She is a role model to countless people and has been recognized for her advocacy. Her courage and good humor are a blazingly beautiful example of saying no to body shame and saying yes to living with vigor and dignity.
“Yes” and “no” are monosyllabic sentences. Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher, wrote that “The oldest, shortest words, yes and no, are those which require the most thought.” These men and women of sterling integrity did not choose the easiest option. They chose to say yes to life and they took thoughtful, positive actions. They are all philosophers in my book, and since it is my book, philosophers they are.
Who are the philosophers who have inspired you? Say yes to this question and let us know in the comments.
If this isn't motivation, I dont know what is! Wonderful stories! Goes to show, no matter what's going on, you can keep on truckin! I have more than my share of issues and always love hearing other stories like this. Keeps me grounded and grateful for what I do have! Again, great article! Bravo!
Very nice and powerful text, thanks a lot for the inspiration!
I say a huge YES to life with Nietzsche and his strong affirmation of life by the Eternal Return of the same, wich means the higher courage to say YES to my life repeat itself eternally with all the pain, suffer and difficulties, as much as with all the joy, the pleasure and the potency it has!