How My Wife Changed My Outlook on Life, Essay Example

When I first met the woman who would eventually become my wife, I knew she was special, but I had no idea just how special until I was able to see firsthand the way she deals with adversity. Many of the challenges I saw her face over the years, and the burdens I witnessed her bear on a daily basis, would have broken the average person including myself. After witnessing how my wife overcame the trials and tribulations she was dealt, I adopted her take on life and it empowered me to exceed the personal limitations I had set for myself.

She graduated at 16 years old and got a scholarship in Miami, Florida. Her dad divorced her mom and this had a dramatic effect on her. About two years into our marriage, her mom died from an aneurysm. I know her mom’s death affected her, but in response to it she said, “one day you’re here and the next day you’re gone.” A short while after she gave birth to our twins, she suffered from fibromyalgia, which caused her to have severe headaches, fatigue, and depression. The illness made everything for her more difficult, normal day-to-day tasks I took for granted were epic battles for her. She could have given up on life, and it would have been understandable, as all of these setbacks were out of her control, and her family didn’t provide any level of support. I admire her because she didn’t give up. She endured, and overcame these obstacles.

Her ability to pull herself out of a dark time, when it would almost seem reasonable to give up, is the thing I admire about her. Witnessing her situation firsthand allowed me to share what she was going through. It made me realize, there were numerous instances in my life where I wasted time stressing and worrying about trivial things when there were people fighting for their lives just happy to make it through their day. She taught me how to live in the present and not to always dwell on tomorrow. More often than not, when people suffer from depression, it’s because they lose track of their purpose for living. The only way to get back to that purpose driven life is to take each day a step at a time. This is what my wife did; but ironically, most people who aren’t even suffering from depression are so distracted in their daily lives focusing on tomorrow that they also forget to live a day at a time . This is fine for when things are going well, but when these individuals are impacted by a tragedy, like an emergency health issue, or a significant financial setback, they become vulnerable to feelings of depression which could cripple their recovery. Before, I could get a little depressed simply at the thought that I was falling behind all of my contemporaries and that I had to get out and be more active to compete. My wife taught me the pleasure in just being; she taught me the ability to truly value each given day for its worth as opposed to seeing it as a block on a calendar.
 To sum it up, I don’t know what type of man I would be without this woman in my life, but I do know her demonstration of courage and strength has changed the way I face challenges. Ever since her mother’s death, she has always said, “one day you are here and the next day you are gone.” I find this to be very insightful, much more than the cliché statement of, “live everyday like it’s your last,” because that implies you have to pretend like any day could be your last. The way my wife approaches it, it’s a fact for everyone that on their last living day, they will most likely be unaware and then the next day they will be gone. This is the fate of all living things, and truly being aware of it forces you to live a more fulfilling life. When it’s all said and done, I know on my last day, whatever bills I have or plans for the future won’t matter. I am a responsible man, but because of my wife, I can truly put life in perspective.