DARE TO LIVE LIFE

Every one of us can easily think of somebody whose behavior or attitude has so impressed us that we stand in awe of them. They are neither superhuman nor are they endowed with special gifts. They come from among us and share our weaknesses and our strengths. The only difference is that in a very special situation and under very special conditions, they faced and dealt with adversity at a level far above our comfort levels. They dared to rise above their catastrophic obstacles and live life above and beyond their normal
expectations.
Of the very many examples that have crossed my life over the past years, two have impressed me, each for a different reason;
The first is the world renowned theoretical physicist Stephen William Hawking, whose

contributions to the fields of cosmology and quantum gravity was hailed by the world's community of scientists. He opened up our understanding of the origin of the universe and facilitated space exploration.
At the age of 21 years, while still a student at Cambridge University, he was diagnosed with a serious neuromuscular disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This is a uniformly fatal disease, characterized by progressive paralysis of all the body’s muscles leading to total incapacity.
Despite this catastrophe, he continued to lead an active academic life, lecturing all over the world, publishing many original and ground breaking papers and scholarly books. Further he amazingly was able to lead a full and rewarding personal life, he is married with three children, traveled to many countries and participated in a range of lifestyle experiences, including traveling into space.
All of this was done while being almost completely paralysed and confined totally to a wheelchair. He communicates by using his eyelids and a very sophisticated computer system. Despite this, he continues to combine a full family life with his teaching and research into theoretical physics together with an extensive program of travel and public lectures.
To meet this man is awesome, not only for the brilliance of his mind, but even much more, to witness the way he was able to overcome the gargantuan obstacles with an aura confidence and optimism, even as he appears as a “crumpled bundle of humanity” with only a flutter of his eyelids to communicate to the world.

Indeed his is a story of a man who defiantly faced his obstacles and dared to live his life.

The second is someone with whom I have a close relationship. He is a man who, for as long as I have known him, has been an indefatigably ambitious man who has never flinched from a challenge and very rarely lost anyone of them. By dint of intense personal effort and hard work he has developed a very successful enterprise and an equally enviable reputation. He has earned the highest respect from his community for his generous philanthropy.
However as a result of a series of unfortunate accidents and questionable management he suffered a serious neck injury leading to almost complete paralysis of the upper and lower body, resulting in total dependence on others and confinement to bed.
To any other man, myself included, this would have precipitated such disappointment and antagonism as to cause a profound anger and resentment. But in this case this did not happen. Rather one witnessed a change that was at once philosophical as it was an acceptance of a “new life”. Instead of resentment, there was a genuine desire to accommodate, and instead of anger, there was an urgent effort to learn so that he could teach others by example and experience.

Here again, a unique example of a man who refused to succumb to life-changing adversity
And instead grabbed it with both hands and dared to live his new life to the fullest.

These are but two examples of thousands that exist around us. They may be inspiring to us as witnesses, but to all of them they are merely natural responses to the circumstances of life. In the end, it really demonstrates our basic differences. In this context, I am reminded of the quotation of the great Roman Philosopher, Seneca who wrote:

“It is not because things are difficult, that we do not Dare,
it is because we do not Dare, that they are difficult.”

Ultimately, the fundamental difference lies in our willingness to dare or not to dare when faced with adversity, and to no other reason.

Perhaps we can all do well to heed the advice of the former Secretary of State to President George H.W. Bush, General Alexander Haig who wrote:

Practice rather than preach.
Make of your life an affirmation,
Defined by your ideals, not the negation of others.
Dare to the level of your capability then go beyond to a higher level.

< >

Where is the man who has Dared to do such a thing?
……..Esther 7:5

Dare to be naive. \
…….Buckminster Fuller

Only those who Dare to fail greatly,
can ever achieve greatly.
……..Robert F. Kennedy


We fail more often by timidity than by Daring.
…….David Grayson


Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share;
Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who Dare.
…….V oltaire

To Dare is to lose one's footing momentarily.
To not Dare is to lose oneself.
…….Soren Kierkegaard


One must work and Dare if one really wants to live.
…….Vincent Van Gogh

There's something liberating about not pretending.
Dare to embarrass yourself…. Risk.
…….Drew Barrymore

Power is given only to those who Dare to lower themselves and pick it up.
Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to Dare!
…….Fyodor Dostoevsky


Dare and the world yields,
or if it beats you sometimes,
Dare it again and you will succeed.
………William Makepeace Thakeray