Our journey through life can be compared to traveling on a train. Circumstances in life seem to place us in particular locations, with particular collections of people, as we travel through life on particular routes, through particular schools, and on into particular jobs, just like a train on a particular set of tracks, guiding us, or carrying us actually, to an ultimate destination at the end of our journey.
Along the way, there are opportunities to switch tracks, to stop at crowded, busy stations as well as stations in more remote locations where time seems to stand still, and the pace is slower.
Traveling companions change at various stops along the way. Some of them share our journeys for only a brief time, while others may travel with us for the duration, becoming very close companions as we share many experiences together.
At any given point along life’s journey, you may pause and ask yourself, “How did I get here? How did my life end up on this track?” The answers to those questions may leave you feeling like the luckiest person in the world, or like a victim of a cruel joke. Reflecting on your life so far may fill you with gratefulness, or leave you with deep regrets. Looking back, you may ask yourself, “What if…?” You may wish that you could turn back the clock, go back to an earlier time in your life and change the path that you took or change the circumstances that set you on this path in life. “If only….”
The good news is that regardless of where you are in life’s journey, regardless of your past situations and experiences, you can begin at this moment to re-direct your journey to experience a more fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding life that is filled with purpose and meaning. This can be true for you regardless of your past circumstances or your present situation, no matter how many mistakes you have made; no matter how painful, empty or abusive your life may have been up to this point.
Turning Life Around
In 1938, Hungarian army sergeant Károly Takács was considered by many to be the top pistol shooter in the world. He was the clear favorite to win the gold in the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo.
A few months before the Olympics, while Takács was participating in army training exercises, a grenade exploded in his right hand. Takács’ shooting hand was almost completely destroyed.
After this devastating loss, Takács could have given up and given in to despair. Instead, he determined to go forward and make the best of what life had dealt to him. Instead of focusing on what he had lost, he chose to focus on what he had left.
He began teaching himself to shoot with his left hand. With determination and tireless effort, he trained himself to shoot all over again. Training alone and in relative secrecy, he guarded himself from those who might try to discourage him, even if they meant well.
He resurfaced at the Hungarian National Pistol Shooting Championship of 1939. As other shooters became aware that Károly Takács was in attendance, many of them approached and greeted him, offering their condolences on what they assumed had been a career-ending setback. Takács informed them that he had not come to watch. He had come to compete!
Takács not only competed. He won the Hungarian Championship, and then set his sights on the Olympic Games!
However, Takács again experienced disappointment that could have been a devastating setback when the Olympics were canceled in 1940 and 1944 due to World War II.
Refusing to give up, Takács continued to train, and finally qualified for the 1948 Olympic Games in London. There, facing world champion Carlos Valiente of Argentina, Takács shot a world record score to triumph over the world champion and earn the gold medal.
Not finished yet, Takács returned to the Olympics four years later in Helsinki to earn a second gold medal.
Takács greatest accomplishments in competition were achieved *after *his dominant shooting hand had been blown off!
More about Károly Takács:
Olympic Heroes: Károly Takács And His Wait For Gold
YouTube: Most inspiring story ever – Karoly Takacs (Olympic Dream)
Next: Overcoming Every Setback
