Learning to dance in the rain...

Learning to Dance in the Rain The Story Behind the Book  All it took was one evening for me to see first-hand the amazing power gratitude has to change your attitude...and your life. I was scheduled to speak to the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) and invited to attend a presentation before my speech. Little did I know that I was about to see something I would never forget. They introduced the young musician...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. Today's Daily Inspiration Today's Entertainment Today's Health & Healing Click here to Learn More about this book! He then began to sing as he played, and it was even more beautiful. About ten minutes into Patrick's performance, someone came on the stage and said, "I'd like to share a seven-minute video titled, The Patrick Henry Hughes story." 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." At the time, Patrick was a junior at the University of Louisville. His father attended classes with him. He was also a part of the 214-member marching band! He was a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father did it together. They attended all the band practices and the half-time performances in front of thousands. His father rolled and rotated 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 worked the graveyard shift at UPS. Patrick says, "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 talked 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! If I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget that night, that smile, that music, but more importantly, that wonderful "attitude of gratitude." I returned to Chicago and shared Patrick's story with my wife, my friends, and colleagues. About two weeks later, I received a letter from a friend who found a quote he thought I would love by Vivian Greene: "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 lives. However, it's not the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our lives. 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? That experience of seeing how Patrick Henry Hughes overcame obstacles and embraced life with an attitude of gratitude was the impetus for the book that I co-wrote by BJ Gallagher, Learning to Dance in the Rain. Today, I'd like to share one of BJ's original poems from the book, titled Weather Report: "Any day I'm vertical is a good day" ...that's what I always say. And I give thanks for my health. If you ask me, "How are you?" I'll answer, "GREAT!" because in saying so, I make it so. And I give thanks I can choose my attitude. When Life gives me dark clouds and rain, I appreciate the moisture that brings a soft curl to my hair. When Life gives me sunshine, I gratefully turn my face up to feel its warmth on my cheeks. When Life brings fog, I hug my sweater around me and give thanks for the cool shroud of mystery that makes the familiar seem different and intriguing. When Life brings snow, I dash outside to catch the first flakes on my tongue, relishing the icy miracle that is a snowflake. Life's events and experiences are like the weather they come and go, no matter what my preference. So, what the heck?! I might as well decide to enjoy them. For indeed, there IS a time for every purpose under Heaven. And each season brings its own unique blessings... and I give thanks. There is no way to avoid Life's storms - they come and go whether we want them or not. The best thing each of us can do is learn how to dance in the rain! This book will show you how. To watch the movie or to look inside the book, just click here. Make sure to share this email with your friends, family and co-workers. They'll thank you for it!   All the Best, Mac Anderson Prayer of the Day Belief-o-Matic Inspiring Quotes Beliefnet Blogs   Change your email address: http://www.beliefnet.com/user/nl_updemail.asp Mailing Address: Beliefnet, P.O. Box 3882, Norfolk, VA 23514-3882 Unsubscribe Online: Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter Privacy Statement: http://www.beliefnet.com/About-Us/Privacy-Policy.aspx Copyright 2011 Beliefnet, Inc. All rights reserved.