I always tried to help whoever I could whenever and wherever possible. I was known as Mr. Help in my office. Recently I got chest pains and the frequency increased within a few weeks. I was diagnosed with a heart failure and needed to undergo surgery but I could afford and I even didn’t have insurance. My colleagues at office did all the monetary help and when it came to my work schedule they completed my work taking shifts between them. I asked them how I could repay them but they replied saying I had indebted them with my good virtues over the years, so it was their payback time. I really believe in proverb “as you sow, so shall you reap.”

I am a 45 year old male and I loved to eat junk food. I also loved to party and drink a lot. My habits were bad but I never looked at it like that. In fact, I enjoyed every moment of my life till the dark days started. It was at the age of 42 when my heart had to undergo valve replacement due to stopping of my left heart valve. After surgery my conditions worsened and thinking of my past full of entertainment life I went into depression. Then I recalled my dad’s saying which he repeated quite often. He used to say, “No problem is bigger than your life. Face it and you will win it.” I opted for his style of living and started looking for happy things in my life. There seemed to be far many reasons to be happy rather than sorry moments in my life. That day onward, I have enjoyed every single happiness with great joy. Now there is no place for sadness in my life, it all is in your mind to be happy or to accept defeat and die a loser. You choose.

I used to be a very good athlete and I was very popular among people around me but the day I came to know about my heart disease everything turned upside down. Nothing remained like before, I could not do things I usually loved to do like running, trekking etc. But then one day I saw an old man about 80 years old taking a walk in the morning and his walk boosted me with energy. I thought if he could do it at 80 why couldn’t I, as I was almost half his age. After consulting my doctor I started to go for a walk everyday and started living an active life once again. Thanks to that old man who woke me up before I could go for sleep forever.

My husband suffered from obesity and every doctor had warned him about health risks due to obesity but he ignored every advice. His cholesterol rose above the danger mark and started causing problems. After surviving a heart failure and narrowly escaping death, I was really scared of losing my husband. But good luck struck my doors as I read a magazine that boasted of curing heart problems by exercise called ‘Yoga’. My husband started taking yoga classes regularly and improved his health status. He even lost extra pounds and reduced his cholesterol level improving his stamina and making him healthier. Now we live a happy and positive life.

I had been a heart patient for past 5 years but I never developed any serious complications until one day when I had a stroke and was admitted to hospital. After my discharge from hospital, I rested for a few weeks in bed without going to my office. Then suddenly I got a letter from my wife who wanted a divorce just because my heart was not healthy anymore and she thought I may not recover at all. I was shattered and I nearly got another stroke, the days that followed were like hell. Watching me in this distress, one of my old friends, who happened to be a lady, visited my house. She stayed for a few days taking a lot of care of me and at that moment I realized I needed a life partner like her. Mustering my courage with a positive approach I asked her to marry me. This was by far the most positive decision I ever took. She agreed and we got married. Believe me, from that day I have taken every challenge in life with my positive approach towards every obstacle.