A place to share the great experiences that have happened as a direct result of Positive Thinking. Also quotes and inspiring stories to encourage others. Need a boost? This is the place to get it! All positive thinkers are welcome!
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This is an excerpt from Learning Dance in the Rain
by Mac Anderson, founder of Simple Truths
My keynote presentation for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators was scheduled for 7:00 PM, but I had been invited to show up at 6:00 to see a performance they said I'd enjoy. Little did I know that I was about to see something I would never forget.
They introduced the young musician. Welcome...Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes. He was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair, and began to play the piano. His fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.
He then began to sing as he played, and it was even more beautiful. For some reason, however, I knew that I was seeing something special. There was this aura about him that I really can't explain and the smile...his smile was magic!
About ten minutes into Patrick's performance, someone came on the stage and said..."I'd like to share a 7-minute video titled, The Patrick Henry Hughes story." And the lights went dim.
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no eyes, and a tightening of the joints which left him crippled for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he discovered the piano. His mom said, "I could hit any note on the piano, and within one or two tries, he'd get it." By his second birthday, he was playing requests (You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). His father was ecstatic. "We might not play baseball, but we can play music together."
Today, Patrick is a junior at the University of Louisville. His father attends classes with him and he's made nearly all A's, with the exception of 3 B's He's also a part of the 214 member marching band. You read it right...the marching band! He's a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father do it together. They attend all the band practices and the half-time performance in front of thousands. His father rolls and rotates his son around the field to the cheers of Patrick's fans. In order to attend Patrick's classes and every band practice, his father works the graveyard shift at UPS. Patrick said..."My dad's my hero."
But even more than his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick's "attitude of gratitude" that touched my soul. On stage, between songs, he would talk to the audience about his life and about how blessed he was. He said, "God made me blind and unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me the ability...the musical gifts I have...the great opportunity to meet new people."
When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage together. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered for over five minutes. It gave me giant goose bumps!
My life was ready to meet Patrick Henry Hughes. I needed a hero, and I found one for the ages. If I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget that night, that smile, that music, but most importantly, that wonderful "attitude of gratitude."
I returned to Chicago and shared Patrick's story with my wife, my friends, and our team at Simple Truths. About two weeks later, I received a letter from a friend. He said, "Mac, I don't know who said it, but I think you'll love this quote."
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...
it's about learning how to dance in the rain!"
I thought...that's it! We all face adversity in our life. However, it's not the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our life. During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling sorry for ourselves, or, can we, with gratitude...learn how to dance in the rain?
It almost sounds too simple to feel important, but one word...gratitude, can change your attitude, thus, your life, forever.
Hugs,
Penny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc4QLLmMh7U
Daniel Wallace
"The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance, and even our very existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives." -Albert Einstein
It's not what happens to you,
It's what you do about it.
- W. Mitchell
Wishing you all a great day
Ran
At a moment when it is most needed in my life, reading the comment wall here is extremely appropos.
In my personal life, the opportunities to fall down have been numerous, and a life changing decision on what kind of behavoir I will tolerate (or no longer tolerate) in what has been the primary modality has been made. A jumping off the cliff, so to speak ... along with a vision that I regardless of the immediate outcome, I can Get Back Up! ::grin::
Reading and re-reading the comments on the wall on this topic have been very inspirational. Thank you all!
In my VO life -- I made a decision from my initial VO class to look at improv. An opportunity for a half price 8 week improv class in LA has surfaced -- and I've jumped on it.
Shine all you little facets of mine, shine! ::chortle::
And shine all you positive thinkers uniting, in what can appear to be a daunting world at times, you are truly a bedrock of inspiration.
Here's to your decisions!
Rd
I have a saying I keep on my wall that continually reminds me that everything I've been through, which was at times pretty rough, was for a reason and I wouldn't change a thing. - "If there is a purpose to life's cruelties and tragedies, it is to make of you a better person. It can be likened to stripping the faded and peeling paint from an antique piece of fine cabinetry to reveal the magnificence of the natural wood grain underneath. This lends credence to the assertion that the only truly strong and quality people are those that have been fire hardened and polished by adversity."
Blessings to all of you - Have a tremendous weekend!
David
Here is an inspirational video for anyone who is feeling down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnlhZyW959k
thank you very much for inviting me to your positive thinkers unite group! I look forward to chatting with you and everyone else on here:)
~Lauren
All the best............................lee
Today I won an audition for a spot that will be appearing on the Westwood One Network. It's for "Romanov Bride," a book going to paperback.
I've been feeling really down as of late, and just getting an audition was enough to send me soaring. I'm floating so high, I could load the spot in the satellite without an uplink.
Sometimes it really is darkest just before the dawn.
Never give up. Never, never, ever give up.