“I used to look at life with difficulty. Through every path I walked, I encountered barriers and discrimination. I was a boy with dreams and tireless perseverance, on a mission to find opportunities for disabled children and young people. Despite having cerebral palsy, I came up with different ways to conquer the world, to change the perception of disability and, before all else, to get society to realize that we should always give, regardless of how little we have. At all times, I carried my message of the value of solidarity, of recognizing that it’s the most effective way through which we can understand that helping others is extraordinary.“
From a letter by 2016 CNN Hero Jeison Aristizábal
Let me just pull the nuggets out of this short paragraph and make it personal.
I used to look at life with difficulty. Will you start this new year looking through the lens of difficulty…or will it be the way you ‘used to’ look at life? Is it time to change your perception? The perception you have will determine how you experience life this year.
I encountered barriers and discrimination…and I had dreams and tireless perseverance. Barriers and discrimination are real. Dreams and perseverance are what you do about it. Is 2018 the year you decide to follow your heart…to dream your own dream and then move in that direction?
I came up with different ways to conquer the world. You have the power of imagination. You can decide how to conquer the world…how to be your awesome and amazing self, right here and right now. No excuses. Use your power!
We should always give, regardless of how little we have. Now I want you to think about this. I am asking you to always be thinking about what you can give…I mean every day…to ask yourself the question…what could I give today? This is how you cultivate compassion and gratitude…two of the ways of being that will carry you joyfully through the year.
Solidarity is the most effective way through which we can understand that helping others is extraordinary. There is power in community…in a caring community dedicated to love, equality, and compassion. Find one, participate in it, and in the process change yourself and change the world we live in.
Here’s to seeing you transformed in 2018.
With much love and great anticipation.
Paula
And…thank you Jeison. You are amazing!
