So there is someone that I think the world of.
They are what we call "good people."
But like all of us, have challenges and difficulties in life.
Maybe their load is heavier and more taxing.
But it is what G-d has given them to bear and to work with.
In talking with this person, at one point, they said, "It's too hard!"
And I think we all feel that way sometimes.
Bret Stephens quoted Bernard Lewis in the Wall Street Journal today, that in trying times, some ask, "Who did this to us?" While others ask, "What did we do wrong?"
Maybe the question should be, "What can we do now?"
While some throw in the towel and can't go on or go on in a bad way, others may get angry and bitter at their lot in life.
But yet like my inspiration, Rocky, some get up and fight for what they want.
The down is only a temporary down, but not a knockout.
The pain stings and hurts and leaves us blurry-eyed and dizzy, but our desire to succeed pushes the adrenaline through our coursing veins, and we get up again with even a greater determination.
"The eye of the tiger, the thrill of the fight, rising up to the challenges of our rivals..."
I take responsibility. I take accountability. I want to overcome.
I shall prevail in life and even ultimately in death, my life will mean something to somebody.
The end is the beginning again. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Not) Too Hard!
So I went for a haircut yesterday evening.
And when I walked into the Hair Cuttery, there were a number of mentally disabled people waiting there.
3 had already gotten their haircuts, and 1 was still in the barber's chair.
One of the 3 said hello to me and started conversing with me even though he had obvious difficulty getting the words out.
There was an open chair between them, and he even offered me to sit down with them, which I did.
I asked about him and he told me the others we're his roommates.
I asked how he liked his roommates and he gave a big smile, nodded, said how nice they were, and while pointing to them started to introduce them and encouraged them to speak with me as well.
I could see as they interacted and later got up how they shared some challenges, but also how each clearly had their own unique difficulties to deal with--for example, one was stooped and went along with a limp, while another was more reticent and seemed openly annoyed by the others trying to get his attention.
When it was my turn for the haircut, they were heading out and a couple of them waved goodbye to me.
I said goodbye back and was sad seeing how difficult people's lives are.
It strikes me that even for those in the healthiest states, life can be very difficult at times.
So I imagine how much more so for those with physical and developmental disabilities--the things we take for granted can be extremely difficult for others to navigate around, reach, manipulate, read, hear, understand, speak, and do.
Life seems unforgiving at times.
My daughter said to me that while it's natural for people to look out for their own self-interests, really we all need each other to survive and make it.
Our self confidence in our stand-alone capacities is really just an illusion. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
It's Not Easy
