Ben is a white-haired guy whose house I always walk past on my errands. He always greeted me in a friendly way and over time we became good friends. Thanks to his cheerful nature and positive personality, it is a joy to be with him despite our age difference.
Last spring, Ben had a stroke, which often makes him dizzy, has headaches, blurred vision, permanently damaged eyesight in his left eye and feels tired.
His granddaughter informed me about it by phone. I went to visit Ben at the hospital. I imagined a sad, grumpy Ben in a wheelchair. To my surprise, Ben greeted me with a smile. He waved to go after him, with his usual enthusiasm. He spoke slowly and stuttered a little, and apparently something hurt him a little, but his bright smile did not go away. We spent a very pleasant time together spiced with Ben’s laughter and a sparkling sense of humor. How could he still be in such a good mood after such an unpleasant accident?
He seemed to read my mind. He touched my arm and said, ‘You know, Elza, my father is already 100 years old, but he is stronger than me. He recently fell down the stairs. Many people his age would die immediately, or at least have permanent consequences. But not my father! Immediate He got up, turned and went up those stairs.” I was left in awe. ‘Maybe I’m not as physically fit as my father,’ Ben continued, ‘but I want to have as strong a spirit as he is! I’ll pick myself up again!’
On the way home I had something to think about. How often, when I wanted to try something new, make a lifestyle change, or achieve a goal, did I slip and fall? And how often did I stay lying down and wonder if I had enough strength and will to get up and try again? But every time I refused to give up, I found enough strength in myself to rise again.
Failures, disappointments and obstacles are a part of life, but I don’t have to let them get me. As Ben said that day: ‘As long as I live, I can choose not to give up!’ – E. Sichrovská
***
It’s not that I’m that smart, I just can handle the problem longer. tho Albert Einstein
People always blame what they are to life circumstances. I don’t believe in circumstances. In this world, those who stand up and look for the circumstances they want are successful, and if they don’t find them, they will create them. tho George Bernard Shaw
Think about a postage stamp: its usefulness is that something sticks together and stays there until it reaches its destination. tho Josh Billings
Raindrops can make a hole in the stone not by their strength, but by falling often. tho Lucretius
Don’t lose hope. It is often possible to open the lock with the last key in the volume. tho author unknown
Difficult matters take a lot of time, the impossible takes a little more. tho André A. Jackson
May endurance be your driving force and hope is your fuel. tho H. Jackson Brown, JR.
