"The word impossible is not in my dictionary."
--Napoleon Bonaparte
They all thought he was a crazy old man to undertake an almost impossible feat. Most feared that he would die trying. But this humble old man proved all the critics wrong.
Cliff Young, at 61 years of age, participated in 1983’s Sydney to Melbourne race. Considered to be the world’s toughest race, with the distance of 875 kilometers and took at least 5 days to finish, Cliff Young entered the race against world-class athletes.
He went on to achieve the unthinkable and inspire a whole nation.
Read the full story here, and get inspired! Pretty soon you will be 60 years of age and thinking of your future goals!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
2. The Bed by the Window
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded, "Didn't you know, he was blind?! He couldn't even see the wall!"
____________________________________
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder," best sums up the story. If you have found beauty within yourself, you will only find beauty everywhere else! Instead of seeking beauty/happiness/bliss outside, locate it within. You are the source for all your happiness! NITHYANANDAM! (Bliss Eternal!)
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded, "Didn't you know, he was blind?! He couldn't even see the wall!"
____________________________________
"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder," best sums up the story. If you have found beauty within yourself, you will only find beauty everywhere else! Instead of seeking beauty/happiness/bliss outside, locate it within. You are the source for all your happiness! NITHYANANDAM! (Bliss Eternal!)
1. Searching for Bliss?
You are in the midst of the ocean of life, searching for a companion. You are lonely, and longing for someone to fill your being with joy, and to share yours. Where can you find such a blissful being?
Look no further! Realise the bliss that lies within, which can also be seen manifested without! May this web-page help you identify your blissful self amongst the blissful events happening around the globe! NITHYANANDAM! (Bliss Eternal!)
Look no further! Realise the bliss that lies within, which can also be seen manifested without! May this web-page help you identify your blissful self amongst the blissful events happening around the globe! NITHYANANDAM! (Bliss Eternal!)
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