I’m at Houston’s looking out onto St. Charles Avenue and sipping a glass of red wine. I notice a handicapped person in a motorized wheelchair. There are many, many handicapped people who are extraordinarily resilient beyond all boundaries. Sadly, many are not genuinely appreciated or can gain employment on the level that they are more than capable to accomplish.
Nelson Mandela is not handicapped, but he faced tremendous obstacles as a political prisoner for almost 29 years. But he didn’t become bitter – he achieved wisdom. That is very similar to success stories of handicapped and disease-racked people of perseverance.
Many of the handicapped, disabled and aged are real-live heroes for themselves and others, and yet so often unrecognized tenacity.
But I am not writing of the faults of our societies. My purpose is simply to point out those human beings who struggle on and on and on and don’t assume the cloak of celebrities. Rather, mostly they conduct their lives with dignity and somehow know that they really are making some kind of difference.
Of course, not all handicapped people or people generally have the resilience and fortitude to make lemonade out of lemons.
Younger people, particularly the minorities and others with tragic single parent families or other unfavorable families, must also struggle.
But, no matter what, you have to accept the hand that is dealt to you. You simply can’t and shouldn’t throw it in through the exit door of suicide. We all must live our life with as much perseverance, character, honesty, resilience and positive values that we can muster. And we all can do more than we might think we can.
Self-discipline is a key to so much in life. Through extended formal education a young lady may delay the gratification of having a child. But at the same time, she may be greatly gratified in the end with a productive family and a child or children – well planned and nurtured.
Self-discipline also means careful nutrition and exercise.
We all have our little piece of God, no matter what. But if we are mindful, wise, resilient and honest with ourselves and others, good things will happen, again and again and again.
My advice is to look on life with an attitude of gratitude, no matter what.
