Helen Keller’s Secrets Of Happiness and Success
by
Filed under Happiness & Success
Although she had been blind and deaf since she was 1 ½ years old, she ultimately triumphed over her disabilities. Her life and writings have inspired millions of people and redefined what is possible for all of us. The following are her secrets of success and happiness:
Recognize that Setbacks and Challenges Build your Character.
Helen Keller could have become bitter over the fact that she was blind and deaf. Instead, she realized that she could still make an important contribution to the world. She became the first blind and death person to graduate from college.
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.”
Be optimistic and Persistent in Pursuit of Challenging Goals.
Keller believed that things would turn out well if she kept persevering and didn’t quit. Although experts said it would be impossible for her to learn to speak, she refused to give up. Her speaking was never perfect, but she continued to make progress. She eventually reached a level of fluency that enabled people to easily talk with her.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.”
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Happiness is Possible, With the Right Attitude and Goals.
Keller learned that self-gratification ultimately leaves a person feeling empty. Lasting happiness comes from using our gifts to serve others. On her 18th birthday, she said, “I will always—as long as I have breath—work for the handicapped.” She continued to make a positive difference in the lives of others until she died at the age of 87. It wasn’t just her writing and speeches, it was her example of how she lived with joy and serenity, in spite of the challenges she faced.
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
“Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.”
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
Be Faithful in the Little Things and your Opportunity will Come.
Helen Keller did not passively wait around for a great opportunity to come to her. Instead, she faithfully carried out the little tasks that weren’t very glamorous or exciting. Through this she learned discipline, and her skills continually grew. This prepared her to become the person who ultimately made a huge contribution to the world.
“I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”
“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”
