Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

I have a very dear friend who is deaf and blind.  She’s one of the most amazing women I know!  I met her online through my job with The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, and was immediately impressed by her writing talents and her positive attitude.  Over the years, we’ve developed a friendship, and I had opportunity to meet her and spend time in her home last spring. Even though I knew she was an incredible lady, I found myself even more amazed when I stood in her presence. 

The other day, we were chatting on the computer (yes, she can do that!) and I mentioned how joyful she is.  I think I made mention of the fact that people who may appear “normal” look at people like her and wonder how they can be so happy despite their disabilities.  You know what she said to me?  “I’m not joyful in spite of my disabilities, but because of them,” or something similar to that. Wow!

My friend reminds me of Nick Vujicic.  You may have seen Nick on YouTube – he’s gained quite a presence on the internet over the past couple of years.  I remember seeing him a few years back and being shocked – he’s one impressive guy!  So, when the opportunity presented itself to review Nick’s new book – Life Without Limits – I said SURE!

Life Without Limits is an inspiring book by an extraordinary man. Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disability to live not just independently but a rich, fulfilling life, becoming a model for anyone seeking true happiness. Now an internationally successful motivational speaker, his central message is that the most important goal for anyone is to find their life’s purpose despite whatever difficulties or seemingly impossible odds stand in their way.

Nick tells the story of his physical disabilities and the emotional battle he endured trying to deal with them as a child, a teen, and a young adult. “For the longest, loneliest time, I wondered if there was anyone on earth like me, and whether there was any purpose to my life other than pain and humiliation.” He shares how his faith in God has been his central source of strength and explains that once he found his own sense of purpose—inspiring others to make their lives and the world better—he found the confidence to build a rewarding and productive life without limits.

Nick offers practical advice for realizing a life of fulfillment and happiness by building trust in others, developing supportive relationships, and gaining strength for the journey. He encourages the reader by showing how he learned to accept what he could not control and focus instead on what he could.

“I do believe my life has no limits! I want you to feel the same way about your life, no matter what your challenges may be. As we begin our journey together, please take a moment to think about any limitations you’ve placed on your life or that you’ve allowed others to place on it. Now think about what it would be like to be free of those limitations. What would your life be if anything were possible?” —Nick Vujicic, from Life Without Limits

NICK VUJICIC is a motivational speaker and the directorfounding President of the a non-profit organization, Life Without Limbs. A longtime resident of Australia, he now lives in southern California. It was in recent years that Nick made the move from Australia to Southern California from where he now continues to passionately travel around the world, spreading a message of hope to all people.

I’m not completely through with reading this book.  I read a bit each night before bed – I’m purposely taking it slow because I want to soak it in.  Nick is a great motivational speaker and author.  When I stop to think about all that he has overcome in his young life and the amazing things he is doing all over the world, it makes me feel rather insignificant and as though I am not living up to my full potential. 

I am prayfully asking God to show me what He might have me to do with my life.  What about you?  Are you living up to your full potential, or does your live have self-imposed limits on it?  One of my other heroes – Walt Disney – once said “If you can dream it, you can do it.”  Nick Vujicic is doing just that – living his dreams and beyond! 

This book can be purchased online at Amazon.com.  More information about Nick can be found at Life Without Limbs and Attitude is Altitude. 

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts of it on my blog.  I was not compensated in any other way.