... AND I QUOTE
Happiness is a temporary state. Waves of depression continue to ebb and flow, a relentless tide, no matter how hard I strive to subdue them. I have learned to live with uncertainty, to know that in life, there are no guarantees. I have learned that no matter how much you believe your house to be a safe haven, a fortress against the dangers of living, the hand of fate can pass through to touch you lightly on the shoulder, to smilte you or your loved ones, to draw, with a sharp pointed line, on your cheek, from your temple to your chin.
When you feel too weak to carry your burden, look to the actions of other human beings for inspiration. Embedded in my mind is the Seattle Special Olympics of a few years ago. A story was told to me about nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the hundred-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish for running the race to the finish and winning. All, that is, except one little boy, who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back... every one of them.
One girl with Downe's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.
Why? Because deep down we know that what matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. We all want happiness. Life teaches us that we achieve happiness when we seek the happiness and well-being of others.
written by Kirk Douglas, American actor, stroke victim
in his book, 'My Stroke of Luck'
Happiness is a temporary state. Waves of depression continue to ebb and flow, a relentless tide, no matter how hard I strive to subdue them. I have learned to live with uncertainty, to know that in life, there are no guarantees. I have learned that no matter how much you believe your house to be a safe haven, a fortress against the dangers of living, the hand of fate can pass through to touch you lightly on the shoulder, to smilte you or your loved ones, to draw, with a sharp pointed line, on your cheek, from your temple to your chin.
When you feel too weak to carry your burden, look to the actions of other human beings for inspiration. Embedded in my mind is the Seattle Special Olympics of a few years ago. A story was told to me about nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the hundred-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish for running the race to the finish and winning. All, that is, except one little boy, who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back... every one of them.
One girl with Downe's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.
Why? Because deep down we know that what matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. We all want happiness. Life teaches us that we achieve happiness when we seek the happiness and well-being of others.
written by Kirk Douglas, American actor, stroke victim
in his book, 'My Stroke of Luck'
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