The Bus Passenger
http://ping.fm/0V0KZ
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger.
But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.
At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."
Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase.
Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend.
Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?
Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Sharon Pires --- India
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Winning Isn't Everything
http://ping.fm/xKKhM
You don't have to be crowned a champion to be one. You don't have to win first place to be a winner. Sometimes winning is coming in fourth, exhausted and encouraged because the last time you came in fifth. Winning isn't everything; it's being the best that you can be. Don't wish to be anything but yourself and try to be that perfectly.
There was a boy named Kim Peck, he was severely handicapped and suffered from brain damage. Kim was running the 50 yard dash in the '68 Special Olympics. He was running in the finals against two other people, they were in wheelchairs, stricken with cerebral palsy. The gun sounded, Kim was 20 yards ahead and 10 yards from the finish line when he looked back to see how the others were doing.
The boy had turned his wheelchair around and was pushing backwards with his feet. The girl had turned her wheelchair around and was stuck against the wall. Kim stopped, went back and pushed the girl across the finish line.
The boy going backwards won the race. The girl came in second. Kim came in last. Or did he? In my eyes Kim is the greatest kind of winner.
When you help someone else win, you often find yourself in the winner's circle too.
--- Copyright © 1999 Kelly Marshall --- Texas
http://ping.fm/xKKhM
You don't have to be crowned a champion to be one. You don't have to win first place to be a winner. Sometimes winning is coming in fourth, exhausted and encouraged because the last time you came in fifth. Winning isn't everything; it's being the best that you can be. Don't wish to be anything but yourself and try to be that perfectly.
There was a boy named Kim Peck, he was severely handicapped and suffered from brain damage. Kim was running the 50 yard dash in the '68 Special Olympics. He was running in the finals against two other people, they were in wheelchairs, stricken with cerebral palsy. The gun sounded, Kim was 20 yards ahead and 10 yards from the finish line when he looked back to see how the others were doing.
The boy had turned his wheelchair around and was pushing backwards with his feet. The girl had turned her wheelchair around and was stuck against the wall. Kim stopped, went back and pushed the girl across the finish line.
The boy going backwards won the race. The girl came in second. Kim came in last. Or did he? In my eyes Kim is the greatest kind of winner.
When you help someone else win, you often find yourself in the winner's circle too.
--- Copyright © 1999 Kelly Marshall --- Texas
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Story of Life
http://ping.fm/Iz3px
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, worker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
*Most importantly!!!, if you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.
That's the story of life...
Thank you all for touching my life and making if fuller.
--- Copyright © 1999 Tamara Robinson --- Canada
http://ping.fm/Iz3px
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbor, worker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger), but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
*Most importantly!!!, if you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store. And learn a lesson in life each day that you live.
That's the story of life...
Thank you all for touching my life and making if fuller.
--- Copyright © 1999 Tamara Robinson --- Canada
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Living and Giving
http://ping.fm/TCX3X
Whatever you give away today, or think or say or do will multiply about tenfold and then return to you.
It may not come immediately, nor from the obvious source but the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion will surely bounce right back to you in some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person, a word of praise or two, soon, tens of other people will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain. Kind ones bring us happiness; petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror. If hate you send, hate you'll get back, but loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day and duty crowds your mind, that kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind. Let that thought and this one direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep are the things we give away.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
http://ping.fm/TCX3X
Whatever you give away today, or think or say or do will multiply about tenfold and then return to you.
It may not come immediately, nor from the obvious source but the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force.
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion will surely bounce right back to you in some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person, a word of praise or two, soon, tens of other people will speak kind words of you.
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain. Kind ones bring us happiness; petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror. If hate you send, hate you'll get back, but loving brings love nearer.
Remember, as you start this day and duty crowds your mind, that kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind. Let that thought and this one direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep are the things we give away.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Andrew Ho --- Malaysia
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Mirror
http://ping.fm/uTw9H
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others,are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others,
Are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
A mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror,
And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Serene Yang --- Malaysia
http://ping.fm/uTw9H
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others,are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others,
Are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
A mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror,
And you'll be happy with the face looking back at you.
--- Author Unknown --- Sent in by Serene Yang --- Malaysia
Monday, June 21, 2010
Dare To Be
http://ping.fm/GbXrU
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
--- Copyright © 2000 Steve Maraboli --- New York
http://ping.fm/GbXrU
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
--- Copyright © 2000 Steve Maraboli --- New York
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