As spring arrives on March 20th and mother earth is pregnant with yet another season of rejuvenation, there are those who may not have fully recovered from a harsh winter.

Regardless of the colorful display of blossoms on the trees, the intoxicated chirpings of visiting birds and the fresh fragrance of budding grass under the sun, some people may not feel like celebrating the glorious changes of a season. Those who have suffered the storms of their past winters are mostly worried about the challenges of the devastating days ahead and question their own possibilities for growth and vitality. When one is flooded with thoughts of loss and fears of unbearable results, joy or positive attitude can hardly be regained.

Ariel, then 16, went through the horrible journey of losing mobility, comfort, dreams, and aspirations. He suffered blowing damages that made his young body stuck in a limbo between his physical challenges and his potential for growth. Although Ariel was riding a roller-coaster of breakdowns and possibilities, at the end of it he was triumphant. He chose to stand tall in defeating the demons of helplessness, hopelessness, and depression. His powerful mind eventually sided with growth and allowed him to feel this spring's blessings.

I feel like I've been pushed inside of a locker and cannot fit. I often ask myself, "what should I do?" Like Le'Bron James, I should just keep battling these monsters so they quit playing these games.