Don’t let it get you down

It's a genuine pleasure to offer some words and perspective from a new friend.  Howard and I struck up a conversation after he recently visited here and left a few comments.  He was kind enough to accept my invitation to write a guest entry for The Fading Angler blog.  I've only known him a short while, but I can't say enough good things about him.  Here's what he had to say when I asked him what he'd post around here..

 

Howard is a big supporter of Project Healing Waters

I’m of the mindset that attitude is everything. If you are a sour person because you’ve got a disability and can’t do the things you used to do or want to do, remember this. I don’t know one person who woke up one morning and said, “I think I’ll be disabled today.”

Look at it this way; life is tough.  By the time most people get to those “golden years” they’ve usually got a bushel basket of ills, aches, pains and disabilities. They’ve learned to soldier on if they’re smart. It makes growing old, a bit easier on the soul.

My buddy Chris here at Fading Angler has made the most of his time here on earth. He loves to fly fish because it soothes his soul. So he does what he loves to help him get down that road with the cards he’s been dealt.

I’ve lost a lot of my hearing.  It’s really annoying and maddening when I have to keep saying huh? Not to mention the people who get annoyed with me because they have to repeat what they said, sometimes more than twice.  I’ve had quintuple bypass surgery and it’s knocked the hell out of me. At the time of my life when I should be enjoying my free time fly fishing, many days I can barely get out of bed.  But I do because it’s my nature and I love fly fishing. It soothes my soul.

On any given day, my wife is the only person who knows how I’m feeling.  I’m pretty good at hiding it. It’s my weird sense of humor and personality that get me through day after day. And after all, if I don’t know how your life is going, why would I want to pile my problems on top of yours.  And remember, there is no such thing as everybody turns into a grumpy old man or woman.  If you are grumpy when you’re young, you’re going to be grumpy.  If you’re a happy go lucky type that doesn’t let the world hold you down…you’ll be a happy go lucky old person.  Keep smiling…enjoy life.

Howard Levett, is a fly fisherman from Colorado. He writes the blog www.windknotstangledlines.com and in his real life works at the Center for People with Disabilities (www.cpwd.org) as a disability advisor.