“When in Rome…” is probably the best mindset you could ever have. That 3 word phrase just says so much about the person saying it. It says they know how critical having the ability to adapt is. It says they know not everything can always be perfect but if you change, even just a little, it can brighten a whole situation. It says they can roll with punches and aren’t afraid of new and different. And you may not even have to leave your country, or state, or county, or town, or even house to have to say those 3 littles words because change happens no matter what. No matter where you are in your life or in the world, change always finds you and if you don’t adapt you risk everything. And I don’t know about you, but everything is something I’m not willing to risk or lose.

When I say everything I don’t necessarily mean things that have monetary value. I’m talking about things that are more than that. Your peace and happiness. Your family and friends. Memories and moments that you build and make. Things that mean more than a dollar amount. When I lost my leg I could have just not adjusted. I could have made everyone around me adjust and then just let myself stay sad and angry. But adapting to the amputee lifestyle has been an adventure filled with highs and even higher highs. Yes there has been lows too, but I’m betting the highs to the lows ratio is at least 3:1. I adapted as a person and as a mom. I know I can’t throw my kids in the air to play super hero but you can bet your butt that I still play super hero with them. They still get up in the air though it may not be as high and I still hear the giggles and still see the smiles. And every year on my “Ampiversary” I find something to be so glad to be an amputee about. Like doubling my sock availability or having more cuddle room in my chair because there is less me. It doesn’t take big changes to yourself to make big changes in your life much more livable and that is what the key to the “when in Rome…” mindset is. Because it’s often the little things in life that we enjoy most. Isn’t it?

So today I challenge you to think about what you would do “when in Rome…”. And it doesn’t have to envision as big as losing a limb. Jus think about something you consider not ideal that is currently going on in your own life and flip it. Have cancer or someone you love have cancer? Well now you have a fantastic reason to eat ALL of the cake. Lose your job? Well now you have a reason to say hello to the strangers at the gas station or grocery store as you never know when you might meet your next connection or boss. I know sometimes it’s easier said than done but even just saying it out loud is a step in the right direction. So find your “when in Rome…” and find how much happier you can be. It may take some time to find it but we all know that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

#TheOneLeggedMommy #WhenInRome #DoubleSocks #MoreCuddleRoom #Amputee #Amputation #NecrotizingFasciitis #HipDisarticulation #Adapt #MomOfThree