Thoughts for the New Year
I’m a bit late getting this post done this month as I had intended to include a video I had received from a cousin of mine who has MS. Many of you have probably seen the video in the time that it’s circulated the Internet. It shows three Chinese dancers, each of whom is missing at least one limb. The video isn’t about how sad it is that these dancers have lost limbs, but about the beauty they make dancing as they are.
Also, every year an old friend of mine sends me a calendar from the Foot and Mouth Painters. I don’t think it requires much explanation to know what that calendar contains.
Previously here on Storytellers Unplugged, I’ve mentioned some of the other charities I support, such as Half The Sky, where the wonderful Jenny Bowen and her staff work tirelessly to help the young orphans of China, mostly girls; or Plan International that helps children and their communities in poor areas all over the world. When I feel sorry for myself, I stop and write a letter to one of my foster daughters in Africa whom I support through Plan, or to Jenny Bowen to thank her for the work she does. Sometimes I write to old writer friends who are often forgotten in the rush of life.
The point I’m making, if you haven’t picked up on it, is that I try not to dwell on my own problems, as hard as that may be when your hands hurt just trying to tear the toilet paper off the roll. When I feel sorry for myself, I remember those who have it worse and yet go on. That allows me to go on.
So, hopefully, in the new year, when you feel your limitations pounding on you, instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you will do as the dancers I mentioned at the beginning have done and use what you have to make something beautiful.
I hope you’ve all had joyous holidays and let’s have a wonderful new year.
