"Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the
success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult
task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy
in overcoming obstacles."
-- Helen Keller (1880-1968)
This is so true. I have gone through some pretty tough times in my life, 
but I have worked my way back each time. I am able to take pride in my achievements because to some, my predicaments or situations may have seemed hopeless. Whether dealing with health issues, financial disasters or the losses of loved ones, I allowed myself a brief time to feel sorry for myself, but not so much time that I couldn't pull myself back up. It sometimes took scratching kicking and fighting against depression, but I never sank into it and continued to put on a happy face and keep on keeping on. I am so happy now, and could never have imagined how good I would feel now or how comfortable I'd be.
I do feel sympathy when others are going through little disappointments from day to day, but I have to confess that a part of me wants to say, stand up and get over it. Keep your eye on the prize and get past this. Most times, though, if I ever said that sort of thing aloud, it would probably be perceived as being unfeeling or uncaring. Far from it. I just don't want anyone to let their problems take over their lives and give up on their dreams. What Helen Keller said so eloquently is what I would like to share with others.
Think of what Helen Keller's life was like. She was completely deaf from birth, completely blind from birth, never learned to speak, and yet she learned American Sign Language and learned to understand what people were saying by putting her hand on their throat when they spoke. She 
"heard" through her fingertips by interpreting vibrations. She learned to type, was a prolific and inspirational writer, and taught other blind and deaf children. If she can overcome her obstacles, there is nothing we cannot do if we simply decide to get it done. We will stumble and fall along the way, but if we keep getting up and moving forward, we will reach our goals.
Don't let any failures and disappointments define you or discourage you. If things come easy to you, you will not appreciate them half as much as you will appreciate and want to celebrate the hard-won victories. You will find joy in overcoming your obstacles.
************
Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 20+ years experience. I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress transaction. "Happy clients make me happy."
For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916) 705-8951 or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
What an inspiration she must have been to be around. I have often wondered how she was ever able to accomplish what she did with such limited ability to interact with her environment.
I have come to see obstacles and great learning opportunities. Without these kinds of challenges it is hard to know what we can really accomplish in life. Obstacles some times force us to think outside of the box.
Thanks for bringing our attention to this remarkable woman, Susan. Alabama has honored an amazing individual by placing her image on their state quarter. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Susan,
Great post! I really enjoyed your last paragraph! Have a good evening!
Paragraph three - Sentence one says it all for me. There are many times in life when I just want to shake people and tell them to get over it.
There are so many inspirational stories if people would just pull themselves away from the garbage sound bites on the news, not to mention Lohan, Spears, etc.
JL - Thanks for the feature in M.A.N.C.R.O.W!
It's a shame that modern state inspirational stories don't get published and spread as much. So many seem to want to focus on what is not right.
Thank you for all your comments. This was a quote that means a lot to me and I hope it has meaning for others as well.