A few months ago a friend sent this video to me. I have a habit of deleting a lot of emails without reading them. The title of this email caught my attention and I decided to open it. I’m glad I did.
Although I didn’t know what to expect I was more than ready get a little inspiration from an archer since so much of my time is taken up by archery. After I clicked on the link I sat there in awe as the video rolled. Since that day there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought about it.
Every day I listen to people complain about everything under the sun. Some people complain of small aches and pains while others have legitimate gripes. I’m just as guilty of this as the next person. It’s unfortunate, but we all do it.
Four years ago this week I was hunting in southern Colorado. I had waited 5 years to draw a tag in this unit. The country was rugged and a few 14,000 foot peaks could be seen in the surrounding area.
My right knee was bothering me and I knew that hiking would put a strain on it. I brought my knee brace for extra support. It took about a week before we finally found where some elk were hanging out. Although it wasn’t far from base camp it was in some of the most rugged terrain I’ve ever hunted. There were places where we had to get on our hands and knees and crawl because it was so steep.
After a few days of hiking that mountain my knee was screaming out in pain. I didn’t complain. I felt extremely lucky that I was fit enough and young enough to make the climb every day.
We ended up killing a big bull on the top of that mountain. When we packed him out I had to take a few breaks to rest my legs. Normally I would take my legs for granted, but not on that day. I felt extremely fortunate to have full use of them even though my right knee was throbbing.
That trip instantly entered my mind when I watched the video above. I realized that far too many of us take the simple things for granted. I love archery and I also love to hunt. On top of that I love to be in God’s country in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
If I could give my legs to the man in the video I would give them just so he could experience something that brings me so much joy. I don’t know the man any better than you do, but I admire him. When I listen to everyone piss and moan every day I would love to play this video for them. I would ask them if they really thought they had anything worth pissing and moaning about.
Some people are too ignorant to know the difference, but I’m sure others would figure it out in a hurry. I’ve always tried to be thankful for my health. I don’t have the best health in the world, but I don’t let my lifelong battle with Type 1 diabetes limit me. I make the best of the hand I’ve been dealt and I try to do the things that bring me happiness.
I’m sure the man in the video would like to do some things that he can’t do, but after watching the video I also know that he doesn’t let his “handicap” limit him.
I usually ramble on in my posts, but this one will be short. I don’t feel a need to ramble and lecture. All I have to say tonight can be heard in the video.
Do you really have a reason to complain about anything? Try to make the best out of any hand that is dealt to you and remember that there is always somebody that is suffering worse than you. Take advantage of the things that you can do and don’t let anything hold you back.
Always remember to help others, learn from them and let the cycle repeat. There’s nothing better than the satisfaction of contributing to something that carries on………….and on……………….and on.
Although I had a bad leg I was still able to pack the elk out.