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The Power of the Human Spirit

Another post by Team Long Shot…


I was watching TV, when a commercial for the new movie, “127 Hours” appeared, with James Franco. This movie is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, who in 2003 was hiking in Utah. He fell into a deep crevasse, followed by cliff edge debris and an 800 ton rock that smashed and trapped his right hand against the face of the wall. Aron was hiking solo, so there was nobody who was aware of his location and dire circumstances, eighty feet underground. He was presented with two options, die of dehydration or cut his own arm off in an attempt to survive. Using a very dull knife, he cut though the skin and muscle, and in a moment of inspiration, used the leverage of the rock itself to break the pair of bones leading to his hand. With his victory over the rock insured, he climbed up out of the crevasse, basically rescuing himself. This powerful story really hit home with me. All too often we are limited by what our minds and what others view as possible. We choose to believe experts: doctors when they say you will never walk again, or critics who say your book will never become a best seller. What changed from those long-ago days when we were little kids and everyone wanted to be president, an astronaut, an Olympian, or to cure cancer? Why is it that the process of growing up seems to be accompanied by the loss of a belief in ones self and huge dreams? While it is true in sports that only one team can win (sorry Charger fans), nearly all of life is not reaching the top, but in obtaining satisfaction from working hard at dreaming big and becoming the best person you can be. Along the route, for every door that closes, another opens, presenting new opportunities at every turn. Feeling satisfied that you have given it your all, beats that other feeling of disappointment in never having tried. So channel your inner 6-year-old, who believes that anything can happen and dream big, really big.
Thanks for reading, Cassie

Comments

Linda McDonald said…
You're right....when we are kids we dream big. Then somehow we let go of a lot of our dreams once we are adults. Thank you for this post. I needed it today.
Lisa D said…
Great post and perfect timing. I really needed a boost today.

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