A Life Full Of Lessons
Jerry Morrissey offers unique and insightful lessons through his compelling autobiography, 'Embracing My Scars.' Join us on a journey of hope and resilience as he shares personal experiences to inspire and empower individuals worldwide.
Excerpts from Embracing My Scars
"One thing I did learn: there is no room for any embarrassment when your physical body is exposed to all on a daily basis – whether it be a thermometer being shoved up your ass, a catheter stuck up your urethra, a bed bath, someone wiping your bum after you’ve shat the bed, insertion and removal of the bedpan … I could go on. The indignity of such bodily functions disappears when you realise survival is the main issue – your life is the main issue. Such bodily functions are normal and natural, and you just have to crack on with it. No room for red faces."
"This journey has taught me that to truly live my best life, I need to accept and love myself unconditionally. It was a revelation that took some time, but it opened the doors to a world of shared experiences with Pat."
"I survived the trauma and learned to cope with my escalating emotions. It started with transforming my negative thoughts into positive ones, recognising the importance of cultivating habits that foster positive actions for both mind and body. I learned to accept all feelings that enter my mind, acknowledging their transience; they won’t last forever."
"I also redirected the energy and time spent on negative thoughts by changing my internal dialogue. When faced with a challenge, instead of saying to myself, ‘I can’t,’ I would ask myself, ‘What can I do?’ After my stroke, when I was paralysed on my right side, I could have easily given up because I could not walk. Instead, I asked myself, ‘What can I do?’ I could walk with a walking frame, taking small steps and making incremental improvements that ultimately led me not only to walk but to run again."
"I’ve learned to have a sense of perspective. I think back to that time post-operation when I was paralysed in a hospital bed, unable to eat, drink, speak or move. I was shitting the bed and being turned every two hours to prevent pressure sores. Nothing can compare to that suffering, and it serves as a constant reminder that life is too short to hold back and dwell on trivial matters. It’s too valuable to squander on negativity."