6-Year-Old Girl With Genetic Disorder Teaches Us How To Overcome The Impossible

When Eden Grace was 6 months old, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that was expected to compromise her development; doctors didn’t know if Eden would ever become strong enough to move around on her own.

Yet, her parents weren't discouraged by the devastating news. They loved her the same and brought her to regular therapy sessions to help her gain physical strength. She was very determined, and at age 2, Eden surprised her parents by crawling.

The therapies continued and Eden grew to be stronger and stronger. A pediatric wheeled walker allowed her to move around on her feet, and when Eden was 4 and a half, the "impossible" happened: She was finally able to walk on her own. Despite losing her balance from time to time and often falling over, Eden did not give up; she kept going.

She fell, she smiled, she picked herself up and she tried again. Her story is an inspirational one of perseverance and resilience. Eden's story has lead me to realize that there are so many things that we can learn from kids.

What sets us apart from them is that while we have lost our innocence, they still have theirs. At their young age, they don’t understand what is difficult, what is scary and what is deemed to be "the impossible."

To them, everything is new, worth a try — or a hundred tries — and is worth their best efforts, be it learning how to walk, speak or run.

They tend not to over-think things (unlike the most of us); they just go for it. They don’t give in to preconceived fears, probably because they don’t have any fears.

Adults, on the other hand, understand failure, limits and what “impossible” means. Most of us were taught these concepts at different points while growing up.

They’re not inherent; none of us are born with the knowledge of what is dangerous, acceptable or within a normal human being’s capability.

We learned about these ideas when we were told not to do this and not to do that. We learned about fear through punishment and shame. Limits do not exist until they are constructed.

Eden's story moved me tremendously because it lead me to realize that the reason why many of us 20-somethings hold back in life is because we are afraid to fail.

We are afraid of falling short of our own expectations and other people’s expectations of us. Some of us are so afraid to take chances that we'd rather let the right opportunities pass us by than take any risks.

"What if things don't work out in the end?" "What if it's the right opportunity but I f*ck it up big time?"

These sentiments are the end results of being taught over the years that failing is not okay. Failure brings shame and shame is a really, really bad thing.

However, it's okay to fail. Don't we all? It's a "human" tendency. Another "human" tendency is the ability to rise back up again after each fall. It is a choice, really, and the choice rests with you. It has always been there and it will always remain.

The key to success is to keep trying and to not give up. If 6-year-old Eden can do it, so can you. Believe in yourself. You can overcome the impossible. You can and you will.

Firstly, though, you must free your mind from the preconceived ideas of failure and limits and the word "impossible."

Stop focusing on the possible ways in which things can go haywire and stop imagining yourself failing before you get started on anything.

Focus on the good things and always look on the bright side. Don't let the fear of humiliation or shame pull down your spirit. Don't allow the naysayers who are shackled to their own notions of what can and cannot be affect your actions.

Be unapologetically you; stop paying mind to what everyone else thinks.