Note: This message was dictated to Eddie Baran.
This morning when I got up I had only one thought in mind. As I took my shower I thought about what clothes I would wear when I went to see the surgeon for an update on my situation. When I looked in the closet I saw hanging before me the same reddish black shirt I wore on the way to Finland. It was the same shirt I was wearing when my retina began to detach. I decided to wear the same shirt today. Doing so communicated two things to my mind:
1. I am not afraid to go where I’ve gone before.
2. In wearing this shirt I want to rewind my mind back to the point in time before the retina detached. In doing so I am recalling and reliving moments when my vision was at its best.
Two days ago when I spoke to Carol Brown in the fulfillment office, I told her of the surgical options I was facing. I mentioned to her the possibility of a gas bubble being injected into my eye if the excess fluid didn’t drain on its own accord. I told her if a gas bubble were used I’d need to spend a month on my stomach in bed, and whenever walking or sitting, I’d have to keep my head down. As soon as I said this, she proclaimed “THAT is NOT happening!”
Then she repeated this same sentence two more times with even greater conviction. I smiled through the phone while thinking: the lady done read my mind.
At no time did I ever allow the gas bubble mental picture a resting place in my mind. I mentally envisioned the doctor giving me the report I wanted to hear. And today was what my coach at Iowa Fan Gable referred to as “Zero Time.” It’s the day of reckoning, a day that all you can do physically and mentally is put to the test.
As I sat in the chair being examined, I knew that in my bones that I wasn’t going to get a gas bubble. I knew this not just from my thinking, but from the collective thoughts and prayers of thousands of people around the world. Dr. Fine examined my eye in detail, and said “Wow, this looks great. The retina is totally attached and 99% of the fluid is gone.”
I asked “Does that mean I’m not going to get a gas bubble?”
“I think so,” said Dr. Fine.
Although I wanted to jump out of my seat and celebrate, I restrained myself. So I did the next best thing and asked if he would take a picture with me. He agreed.
Matt Furey ® with his eye surgeon, Dr.
Howard F. Fine.
I am grateful to have had such a fine surgeon operate on me. I am grateful for the care and concern shown to me by so many. I am even grateful that my retina detached in the first place. Yes, it has brought me to a new level of being.
I have been given the green light for walking and light stretching. More importantly, I have been given the green light to move forward with a number of goals that I will accomplish whether my eyes are opened or closed. Whether I can see or not plays second. Being able to see doesn’t necessary give you vision. Having vision can help you and others see.
A few people whom I coach wrote me to say “I can’t believe how someone who has so much physical and mental strength can be taken down by such a small tear. As I always tell my students, I am human and just as capable of failure and setbacks as anyone else. The difference is I also know I’m capable of rising up, meeting challenges head on and succeeding.
Some months ago I sent a postcard to all the members of the Matt Furey Inner Circle. On this postcard was something I wrote 10 years ago. I reads as follows:
I never go into anything expecting to lose. I go in expecting to win… and WIN I DO!
I believe if you’re humble enough to ask for health, determined enough to focus enough on what you want and willing to do whatever it takes to win – you will. I have a few more weeks left to fully recover from this surgery and I have a very good feeling about this. My wish for you is that you capture some of my optimism and use it for a greater good in your life and the lives of those around you.
A few of my students who are attending my October seminar on Zero Resistance Internet Marketing told me that because of what has happened over the last week, my next seminar will be better than all others combined. I believe they are right. And in celebration of the successful surgery, I have lowered the price and enhanced the offer considerably. Only 19 seats remain.
I will consider it an honor to see you in one of those remaining seats, to look you in the eye and shake your hand.
Rise Up,
Matthew Furey
Zen Master of the Internet®