Heart Attack Survivor can still accomplish great things

On this date and day March 31, 2008, Monday I arrived at school where I taught high school to complete 3rd quarter grades for my students. By 8:15 a.m. CST I realized my day had gone from great to really bad.

A short time after 8:15 I had flat-lined six times and been shocked back by some really caring doctors and nurses at Rockford Swedish American Hospital. www.swedishamerican.org/heart_hospital/.

Fast forward seven years now and I am still a high school teacher in Rockford, Illinois but now teaching at Rockford Jefferson High School. While I very much love teaching, I am realizing at 54 years old and a heart attack survivor that waiting till perhaps I retire to accomplish life goals is not a guaranteed plan.

Even prior to March 31,2008 I spent a great deal of my time looking for and doing business plan analysis on someday purchasing a guest/dude ranch out west in Colorado, Wyoming or Montana as both my wife and I really love the western United States.

To date I have looked at and done a complete business plan and analysis on no less than seven ranches. At present I have found two strong candidates for purchase. One of the ranches is “off the grid” in Wyoming and the other also in Wyoming is financially not as strong but in a very popular tourist destination. www.yellowstone-lodging.com/lodges-east-yellowstone-list.php

Pulling the trigger on either deal is complicated, risky, exciting, and because we (my wife and I) are not 40 years old scares the hell out of me in taking a large financial risk at 54 years old. While there are still additional considerations and analysis necessary before the “the trigger is pulled” I am certainly enjoying the journey.

I have found that having a goal or a dream and focusing on that objective to be the best medicine for post heart attack depression, motivation for physical conditioning and eating well.  In the end, if I make the decision to enjoy Easter time sweets, the chances of being around to accomplish my dream of owning a guest/dude ranch probably would never happen.

I’d love to hear from other heart attack survivors what goals, dreams or ambitions you may have that motivates you on a daily basis.