Somewhere in my distant past, I remember hearing about a philosophy that is guaranteed to help anyone who is experiencing some adversity and carrying a heavy burden. I think the natural expression under such circumstances is one of sadness, regret, self-pity, etc. What is this antidote? What is there that would help me through difficult times and make my load a little lighter?
The answer is simple. It is believed that if we are truly and regularly grateful for the good things that happen to us, the good things we are given, and express that gratitude, it will return to us in the form of added strength and forbearance when our fortunes do a negative turnaround. I think it works without fail. It's too bad that I need to keep remembering this, over and over, when my humanity overcomes me. May it work for you.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Legacy of a Life
In the Dallas Morning News on February 28, there appeared a lead editorial which moved me deeply. It became a step of encouragement for me regarding this newspaper which, in many ways, has earned a declining respect for its pages in recent months. The coverage during the presidential election was outrageous and biased. But I suppose that is another story.
The editorial to which I refer is entitled "The Legacy of a Life". To summarize, a prominent and wealthy English family had a baby boy born into their family. This child, their firstborn, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, and they were told his life would be short.
The parents of this baby stated that they would love this child fully to the utmost, and they did. The dad would leave his office without socializing with his friends and go to the hospital to take his turn at sleeping on the hospital floor, and his parents never left their son's side.
This little boy, Ivan Cameron, died in London last week. Mr. Cameron, who is likely to become the next prime minister of England has vowed that if he does, he will do everything possible to strengthen England's National Health Care. If this happens, the life lessons imparted by this helpless little child will go with this family to 10 Downing St. and beyond.
The writer concludes by "Who knows how many will be helped because Ivan lived and was loved by his devoted father? Who can say that there is any such thing as a life not worth living?"
The editorial to which I refer is entitled "The Legacy of a Life". To summarize, a prominent and wealthy English family had a baby boy born into their family. This child, their firstborn, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, and they were told his life would be short.
The parents of this baby stated that they would love this child fully to the utmost, and they did. The dad would leave his office without socializing with his friends and go to the hospital to take his turn at sleeping on the hospital floor, and his parents never left their son's side.
This little boy, Ivan Cameron, died in London last week. Mr. Cameron, who is likely to become the next prime minister of England has vowed that if he does, he will do everything possible to strengthen England's National Health Care. If this happens, the life lessons imparted by this helpless little child will go with this family to 10 Downing St. and beyond.
The writer concludes by "Who knows how many will be helped because Ivan lived and was loved by his devoted father? Who can say that there is any such thing as a life not worth living?"
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