For privacy's sake, no name will be mentioned. Recently, I met a blind man who was in the process of helping others. While talking to him, he revealed that he had been blind for twelve years due to being shot in the head. When the others around him started to offer condolences, he politely stopped them. He stated that this incident was the best thing that could have happened for him. He said he did not truly see his true Self until his physical vision was taken away. Instead of complaining about the inconveniences and challenges that blindness can present, he used it as an opportunity to become a better person and live his life with purpose. It is worth repeating...he did not truly see his true Self until his physical vision was taken away. In fact, he expressed gratitude for his blindness and would not want the shooting to have never occurred. It was not until he almost lost his life that he began to truly live.
How do you see your life challenges? Perhaps with a change of mindset from the negative perspective to the positive will present that change your heart desires. Some situations are more difficult than others. However, life will continue to give you these "opportunities" until the light within you clicks on. There are and have been many people like this man over the course of history. Helen Keller is a beautiful example of using adversities to make a positive impact on others. Take time to truly look within and learn what you can do to become stronger. Read, explore, and "think outside the box" that your mind sits in to truly see your Self. Instead of wasting precious time about "if only" excuses, use your "disguised impossible situations" to live your life to the fullest. To fully live, you learn to help others instead of focusing solely on yourself. As you help others, you are actually helping yourself.
The quote by Carl Jung says it beautifully: "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."
Published 11/01/2009 by www.examiner.com
