“People freak out when they see me the first time.”

What Nick Vujicic previously thought was a curse is now a potent blessing to people from all over the world. He was born without arms and legs, grew up being teased and bullied for his disability, and wallowed in despair on the things he cannot do.

With the help of his supportive parents, Nick came to accept his limitations and decided to dream big rather than sulk within the boundaries of his physique. At grade 7, he was elected captain of his school. He then went on to finish a double bachelor degree on accounting and financial planning before finally deciding to do what he love most, to share his story and inspire people from all walks of life.

Now at only age 28, Nick Vujicic moved from his home country Australia to the United States as head of an international non-profit organization and also owner of his motivational speaking company Attitude is Altitude which is based in California.

“You can look at the things that you don’t have, but you forget at the things you do have. It’s a lie to think that you are not good enough. The key to a good life is to be thankful for who you are, to dream big, and to never give up,” Nick often shares on his inspirational talks.

Nick‘s story remind me a lot of the same struggles I had growing up. Born to poor but hardworking parents with 12 children, I spent my after-school afternoons selling mangoes, fish and rice cakes. In college, I was the only poor girl in a class of middle income and wealthy students. I survived on hand-me down clothes, worn-out shoes, and financial aid from sponsors while working as a part-time cleaner.

Despite all these, I remained thankful for the scholarship and made good use of it. My dream was to travel the world, have a loving and happy family, own a beautiful house, and never be in lack again. 30 years after, thanks to persistence and angels along my way, my life is way better than I ever imagined.

The choices we make, our perspective on things, our attitude towards the events and circumstances on our life determine whether we will live one that is good, great, or worst.

We can choose to either be thankful or gripe about our looks, appreciate or resent our current situation, make use or complain about our abilities or be inspired or get envious of what others have successfully accomplished. At the end of the day, the choices we make determines our level of success, our happiness, the life that we live.

Attitude does determine our altitude in life.

What do you choose today?