The Bright Side
with Gail Northgrave
“When my grandmother got arthritis”, declared eight year old Emily, “she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So now my grandfather does it for her.”
Although I am still able to bend over and paint my own toenails, I must make sure I am wearing my eye glasses.
Funny how we define as normal, people who rely on eye glasses or hearing aids. Likewise, are persons who suffer from illnesses such as cancer, depression, alcoholism, obesity or kidney and heart related problems. Yet, those who are totally blind, deaf, need wheelchairs, have a speech or other impediments are labeled as having a disability. When in fact what they have is what we all have. Life challenges.
Whatever our life challenges, each of us are endowed with gifts and talents. The secret to life lies in allowing these gifts to override our mental or physical limitations.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) did not speak until he was three years old. At school he was considered to be ‘simple minded’ as he had difficulty with math and language. Yet, today we recognize him as one of the greatest minds of our century.
Before Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) earned the title of a scientist who made major contributions to chemistry and medicine he was classified as having a learning disability.
Indeed many people need more physical assistance with daily activities than others, nevertheless they too have their unique fields of interest. Christy Brown, one of twenty-two children, had motor skill problems. Doctors also considered him to be mentally deficient. Despite having many other children to care for, his mother treated Christy like her other children. Not only did she pray for and with him but she read to him and taught him. He learned to copy out the alphabet by holding chalk between his toes. His autobiography, “My Left Foot” now entitled “Down All The Days” has become an international bestseller .
We may not need assistance like Emily’s grandmother. Nevertheless, each of us can encourage one another to discover the bright side of life by developing our talents.
By Gail Northgrave
In our home, along with my husband and I, reside three little monkeys. Although they do have impish ways, they are not our children. In fact these chimpanzees do not even test one’s patience rather they model excellent behavior. I inherited these inspiring buddies from my mom.
These lively fellows only take up a tiny space in our home and their maintenance upkeep is nil. I’m sure by now you have guessed that my three little monkeys are a statute. Although it is only three inches wide and an inch high this golden symbol which sits on my window sill advise me “to speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil”.
The origin of this pictorial maxim dates back to the 17th century. The explanations of this proverb are varied. While many equate it to the Golden Rule, the English compared it to their axiom “Speak of the Devil and the devil appears”. Others believe that if a person is not exposed to evil, they will not reflect evil in their own speech and actions. In addition, some assume that if they do not hear, see or talk evil they themselves will be spared all evil.
However, the explanation with which I was raised on taught me “not to be snoopy, nosy or gossipy”.
Along with my Three Monkeys cliché is another adage. One which instructs me when conversing with family and friends. The “is it good? is it kind? is it necessary?” slogan enables me to think before I speak.
Both aphorisms describe one word. “Kindness”. Kindness to ourselves and others. Whereas I often fail, practicing kindness is a choice I must make everyday. Oftentimes when someone says or does something irritating I long to retaliate nastily. However, the more I’ve utilized kindness in my hearing, thinking, talking and acting the happier my life has become.
Persistently, my three little monkeys remind me that kindness is a powerful force. It brightens lives and relationships and it has far reaching effects. Effects which, instead of causing global warming, will cause global glowing.