It’s been exactly a year since I survived a terrible drowning experience. I was caught in the June 3floods, which had me impaled by barbed wires under murky waters. I was lucky enough to be rescued by some really brave men who managed to pull me out and take me to the hospital.

I had 13 metal stiches in my back, significant blood loss leading to anaemia and I was unable to work for three weeks. Those ailments pale in contrast to the mental scars that I deal with every day.

I remember seeing a mother trying desperately to save herself and her two babies lose her footing and vanish under thick brown water.

I turned on the TV after recovering from surgery to discover that the people I saw desperately running towards the petrol station on that fateful day were all trapped in an explosion, which killed over 300 Ghanaians.

It was a terrible time for the people of Ghana. So many lives were lost, so many dreams were destroyed and the rest of the world will never see so many new ideas.

The loss of a life is something that is very painful. You can experience all kinds of difficult emotions. It may last for several days, weeks or months and it may even feel like the pain and sadness you're experiencing will never let up.

Grieving is a natural part of loss and there is no right or wrong way of dealing with it. As it is written, there is a time for everything and at this moment in time, those of you who lost loved ones will most likely still be suffering from the emotional pain.

A year is not nearly enough to forget a lifetime of memories. However, I found something remarkable happened to me after I recovered from that terrible accident. I realized I was still alive and if you are reading this post today, you are too.

You have been given a second chance to make sure every single thing you do count. You owe it to those loved ones who are no longer here to achieve whatever goal, dream or vision you have been given. The best way to honor their memory is for you to achieve your fullest potential.

Make each day count. Fight for every single second, minute and hour. It has been given to you for a reason.

When I came out of surgery, I realized how close to death I came. I also realized just how behind I was. There were so many things I wanted to do and I realized for one reason or the other, so many things were still yet to be accomplished. I decided this was my second chance to right all my mistakes.

Today, I have a new sense of focus. I am grateful for the gift of life. You are alive today for a reason. Second chances are rare and most never get them.

If you are blessed to be here today, make sure it counts. God has given you everything it takes to make your dreams come true.

Focus, work hard and never give up because God has not given up on you yet and no mater what your do, always be yourself because everyone else is taken.

Much Love,Peace Hyde.

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