Second Chances

Recently on a flight to Florida I saw an article about actor Danny Trejo . The article was a quick and interesting read that features an interview with Trejo and pushes his latest movie Machete. The B style Machete is directed by Robert Rodriguez.

Machete is Trejo's first time, after over 25 years in the business, as a lead in a movie. Trejo, who has appeared in several movies since 1985, is a former con that was in and out prison for the majority of his first 40 years of life.

I started thinking about how Danny has gone on to reinvent his life and turn it around. The actor has risen up from the ashes of a bad situation and done something positive with his life. I found a lot of parallels between what Trejo has done and life after becoming an amputee. The article hit home even more for me as I was on a trip exploring possible future changes in my life...a possible new job and change of location.

After losing a limb, it is up to the individual to turn what is usually not an ideal situation into something positive. In my case I really did feel it was a second chance, especially after not being able to walk for a while after the accident.

I have had to learn to do most things differently. In most cases things are harder than they used to be. What is the alternative? I could have died? I could be brain dead or bed ridden? My bodily injuries could have been a lot greater than they were?

Life was not what many would have considered easy after my accident. At some points it was outright scary. All in all, I actually feel very lucky every day. I look at life so much differently. I enjoy doing some things that I used to consider tedious, because for a while I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to do them again.

I am a pretty huge Robert Rodriguez fan, so I will eventually probably go to see Machete. I know this is not everyones style of film. Rodriguez can often be known for some of his films containing gore, nudity, profanity and drug/alcohol references.

I am not promoting the R rated film as a family movie, unlike Spy Kids  or The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl , both also directed by Rodriguez. What I am promoting is a second chance, new possibilities and turning your life around.

I honestly believe that if you want to make changes in your life you can. In fact I think no matter how much or little help you have only you can be the one to initiate positive change.


Ty