After all the holiday shopping, Christmas gifts and family time over Zoom and Skype has passed, we can all look forward to a new year. Normally, I set some goals for myself. Most of the traditional new year goals are, for example, about making more money or losing weight. I always try and outdo myself every year and raise the bar each year with the goals I set. I can be competitive at times and one of my strengths is when I set my mind to something, I always do whatever I can to complete it.
When choosing my goals, I avoid setting too many goals because things can change or I start to feel too much pressure. This year is different. Due to the amount of time I spent at home and in isolation due to COVID-19, my mission for 2021 has changed.
Here is my pact for myself: I’m going to take care of myself, both physically and mentally for the entirety of 2021. My goal includes remaining clear headed, eating right and keeping my body in good shape. This helps me when transferring.
I have rekindled my love for the outdoors and so far, this has helped me both physically and mentally. Throughout my whole career and life, I have been blessed to see so much of this country and help some amazing people along the way. I have always been on the go. It doesn’t have to stop completely, but while I remain home and safe, I feel the biggest goal I can set in my life is to make sure when the COVID-19 pandemic is over, I will strive to slow down and enjoy life and all that I have been blessed with. I know one day, I will not have the same physical ability I do at the time of writing this blog. I completely understand that.
Thankfully, I still have a roof over my head, food in my stomach and a kick-butt power wheelchair that allows me to have my independence 365 days of the year. I’m also a role model for young kids and I get to help people with disabilities regain their independence.
Remember, you might be in a power wheelchair but you have your health and that’s what is most important in this life. I hope to continue to appreciate everything I have and try my best to maintain my physical health and mental clarity.
About Josh McDermott: Josh is a brand ambassador for Quantum Rehab®. He is a public speaker and has served as a goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Josh lives in New York and loves to travel. Click here to learn more about Josh.