If there’s one drawback of nice weather, it flares up all symptoms of unwelcome seasonal allergy.
One of my eyes irritates me to no end. It gets so itchy I let out an involuntary cry non-stop. It’s so frustrating.
It’s the worst hay fever I’ve had. But it’s still just an inconvenience.
Nothing like a life-altering disability as Helen Keller had.
Pressing down the corner of my eye (fighting the urge to scratch it), I wondered:
What would it be like not being able to see or hear?
I wasn’t being dramatic. I was genuinely curious.
Waking up with what appears to be a busted blood vessel in the eye, I told myself: “don’t be a wimp”.
And started reading about Helen Keller.
All I remembered about her was her being deaf and blind and having a marvellous teacher.
I didn’t know her teacher Anne Sullivan also had visual impairment and became blind later.
When they first met, Anne Sullivan brought Helen Keller a doll as a present.
And she taught her to communicate by spelling a word out into Helen Keller’s palm: d-o-l-l.
That was the beginning of their 46-year-long relationship.
One of Helen Keller’s admirers was Mark Twain, who, along with his wife, supported Helen Keller’s education.
Helen Keller later became an author, political activist and lecturer.
Below are my top 10 favourite quotes from her that will make you think.
Helen Keller’s famous quotes definitely made me think:
When we have a minor inconvenience, someone somewhere is going through a real-life challenge.
And so (note to self!) don’t be a wimp over inconvenience.
They remind me not to complain. Instead, be bold.
1. Keep Your Face to the Sunshine
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.
2. Optimism and Achievement
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
3. When One Door of Happiness Closes
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
4. Stick to It Long Enough
We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.
5. Doing the Something
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
6. Having Sight but No Vision
The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.
7. Self-Pity is Our Worst Enemy
Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.
8. Together We can Do So Much
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
9. The Most Beautiful Things
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.
10. Hold It High
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
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1 Comment
Hellen Keller is such an inspiration … another one of my favorite quotes of hers is, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Thanks for yet another wonderful post! 🙂