[Missouri-l] My life was ready for a hero...

Sat Jul 25 07:57:39 CDT 2009

My life was ready for a hero...

The date was July 16, 2008. It was late in the afternoon and I was sitting
in my hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky. I was scheduled to speak that
evening for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). I was
a little "down in the dumps." I hadn't gotten to exercise lately because of
my traveling schedule and recently I'd experienced some mild bouts of
vertigo (that inner ear condition that can cause the room to start
spinning.) You got it...speaking and "spinning" are not good partners!

My keynote presentation was scheduled for 7:00 PM, but I had been invited to
show up at 6:00 to see a performance they said I'd enjoy.

Little did I know that I was about to see something I would never forget.

They introduced the young musician. Welcome...Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes. He
was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair, and began to play the piano.
His fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.

He then began to sing as he played, and it was even more beautiful.

For some reason, however, I knew that I was seeing something special. 

There was this aura about him that I really can't explain and the
smile...his smile was magic!

About ten minutes into Patrick's performance, someone came on the stage and
said..."I'd like to share a 7-minute video titled, The Patrick Henry Hughes
story." And the lights went dim.

Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no eyes, and a tightening of the joints
which left him crippled for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with
artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he
discovered the piano. His mom said, "I could hit any note on the piano, and
within one or two tries, he'd get it." By his second birthday, he was
playing requests (You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). His
father was ecstatic. "We might not play baseball, but we can play music
together."

Today, Patrick is a junior at the University of Louisville. His father
attends classes with him and he's made nearly all A's, with the exception of
3 B's He's also a part of the 214 member marching band. You read it
right...the marching band! He's a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player;
and he and his father do it together. They attend all the band practices and
the half-time performance in front of thousands. His father rolls and
rotates his son around the field to the cheers of Patrick's fans. In order
to attend Patrick's classes and every band practice, his father works the
graveyard shift at UPS. Patrick said..."My dad's my hero."

But even more than his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick's
"attitude of gratitude" that touched my soul. On stage, between songs, he
would talk to the audience about his life and about how blessed he was. He
said, "God made me blind and unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He gave me the
ability...the musical gifts I have...the great opportunity to meet new
people."

When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage
together. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered for over five minutes. It
gave me giant goose bumps!

My life was ready to meet Patrick Henry Hughes. I needed a hero, and I found
one for the ages. If I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget that night,
that smile, that music, but most importantly, that wonderful "attitude of
gratitude."

I returned to Chicago and shared Patrick's story with my wife, my friends,
and our team at Simple Truths. About two weeks later, I received a letter
from a friend. He said, "Mac, I don't know who said it, but I think you'll
love this quote."

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...

it's about learning to dance in the rain!"

I thought...that's it! We all face adversity in our life. However, it's not
the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy and
happiness in our life. During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling
sorry for ourselves, or, can we, with gratitude...learn how to dance in the
rain?

It almost sounds too simple to feel important, but one word...gratitude, can
change your attitude, thus, your life, forever. 

Sarah Breathnack said it best...

"When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are
grateful for the abundance that's present....we experience heaven on earth."

What I just shared is the introduction to our new book, Learning to Dance in
the Rain...The Power of Gratitude. My co-author is BJ Gallagher and she is
one of the most talented and creative writers I've every known. It was an
honor to work with her on this beautiful book that can truly change the way
you think about life.

<http://news.simpletruths.com/servlet/cc6?kpuitLQYRRQUVrhPQoLtKxuHjjp
hllQJhuVaVB>Click here to learn more about Learning to Dance in the Rain,
and to find out how you can get a free autographed copy with your order
today.

Live with Passion,

Mac Anderson Founder, Simple Truths

NOTE: If you received this email from a friend and want to join our list
please <http://news.simpletruths.com/servlet/cc6?kpuitLQYRRQUVrhPQoLtKxuHjjp
hllQJhuVaVC>click here.

----------

MAC ANDERSON is the founder of Simple Truths and Successories, Inc., the
leader in designing and marketing products for motivation and recognition.
These companies, however, are not the first success stories for Mac. He was
also the founder and CEO of McCord Travel, the largest travel company in the
Midwest, and part owner/VP of sales and marketing for Orval Kent Food
Company, the country's largest manufacturer of prepared salads.

His accomplishments in these three unrelated industries provide some insight
into his passion and leadership skills. He also brings the same passion to
his speaking where he speaks to many corporate audiences on a variety of
topics, including leadership, motivation and team building.

Mac has authored or co-authored twelve books, which have sold more than 3
million copies. They include: 212...The Extra Degree, Change is Good...You
Go First, You Can't Send a Duck to Eagle School, The Power of Attitude, The
Essence of Leadership, The Nature of Success, The Dash, Charging the Human
Battery, Finding Joy, Customer Love, Motivational Quotes and Learning to
Dance in the Rain.

For more information about Mac, visit
<http://www.simpletruths.com/>www.simpletruths.com.

Denny Huff

President

Missouri Council of the Blind

5453 Chippewa

St. Louis, MO  63109

Phone: (636) 262-1383

Toll Free: (888) 362-1383

Phonecast: (816) 298-8969

FAX: (636) 629-1710

DHuff at MoBlind.Org

www.moblind.org

MCB - A GREAT PLACE TO BE!

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MissouriCouncil

The purpose of Missouri Council of the Blind shall be to promote the general
well-being of our members and legally blind people in Missouri, and to
support or participate in other programs promoting the best interests of
legally blind people everywhere.

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