James Smith’s Info Serv

Author: Trevor Hill

Can you remember a day when you noticed something for the first time that was actually there all along? Many people have this experience. It demonstrates the ability to create fresh perspectives of the familiar world. So when we want to be creative and inspired we can tap into this ability. It works like this.

Every day our five senses are bombarded with information. Sights, sounds, feelings, tastes and smells come at us thick and fast; some studies say 60,000 times a day. Fortunately we have mental filters to trim this number down to a manageable total. We only become consciously aware of a fraction of this total. This is just as well for our ability to make sense of reality and to stay sane.

For example, in Patrick Suskind’s novel ‘Perfume’, the main character has an extraordinary sense of smell. Unlike the rest of us, he lives in a world overwhelmed by different scents. Without effective mental filters, it is this abnormal experience that contributes to his insanity. If you’ve read the book you’ll know it isn’t a happy ending.
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Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested. The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. “Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.” The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.”

The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn’t be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

The moral of the story:

You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.

-Meenakshi Dutta

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

‘Hello Barry, how are you today?
‘H’lo, Mr Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus ‘admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.

‘They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?
‘Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.’

‘Good. Anything I can help you with?
‘No, Sir. Jus ‘admirin’ them peas.

‘Would you like to take some home?’ asked Mr Miller
‘No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with.’

‘Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?
‘All I got’s my prize marble here.
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The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he’d told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.

It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. “How could this have happened to me?” she would plead, her heart knotted with anger.

But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan’s once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark’s military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face.
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Patrick Hughes is a young man at Univ. of Louisville who was born blind and crippled and yet now plays the piano beautifully as well as “marches” in the Louisville marching band. This was a piece done during ESPN College Gameday on 12/2/2006.

Note: I am not affiliated with the Hughes family. Just someone who finds their story wonderful.

Go to http://www.patrickhenryhughes.com/ to find out more about Patrick.