When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.
Dr. Seuss
We all faced great challenges. Have you taken a bad event and made good from it? It takes courage. What was the challenge? How did you turn tragedy in something good?
So I try to make the light in others’ eyes my sun, the music in others’ ears my symphony, the smile on others’ lips my happiness.
Helen Keller
If you’re familiar with Helen Keller’s story, you’ll understand the power in her words.
To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite; To forgive wrongs darker than death or night;
To defy Power, which seems omnipotent;
To love, and bear; to hope till Hope creates From its own wreck the thing it contemplates;
Neither to change, nor falter, nor repent; This, like thy glory, Titan, is to be
Good, great and joyous, beautiful and free; This is alone Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory.
I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.
The darker the night, the brighter the stars, The deeper the grief, the closer is God!
The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all.
When you’re nearly drowned in trouble, and the world is dark as ink;
When you feel yourself a-sinking ‘neath the strain,
And you think, “I’ve got to holler ‘Help!'” just take another breath
And pretend you’ve lost your voice—and can’t complain!
(That’s the idea!)
Pretend you’ve lost your voice and can’t complain!
When the future glowers at you like a threatening thunder cloud,
Just grit your teeth and bend your head and say:
“It’s dark and disagreeable and I can’t help feeling blue,
But there’s coming sure as fate a brighter day!”
(Say it slowly!)
“But there’s coming sure as fate, a brighter day!”
You have bluffed your way through ticklish situations; that I know.
You are looking back on troubles past and gone;
Now, turn the tables, and as you have fought and won before,
Just BLUFF YOURSELF to keep on holding on!
(Try it once.)
Just bluff YOURSELF to keep on—holding on.
Don’t worry if the roseate hues of life are faded out,
Bend low before the storm and wait awhile.
The pendulum is bound to swing again and you will find
That you have not forgotten how to smile.
(That’s the truth!)
That you have not forgotten how to smile.
Everard Jack Appleton.
