Anything is Possible

It is amazing what the human spirit can endure. This is the book of Deuteronomy in brail. It was printed in 1959, so almost sixty years ago someone took the time to create a version of the Bible that a visually impaired person could read. The idea and execution for this to become a reality is absolutely amazing. It may not have been the first brail bible, but for the person who read it their world was changed.

The book was sold at a library sale because a newer version of the book was available. The paper was getting too worn for people to be able to read it. For someone like me who does not real brail, this looks confusing and impossible to understand. For the blind reader this is an opportunity to learn and grow. The difference is one person was taught how to read it, the other person never learned that skill.

Imagine not being able to read. Imagine knowing that there is an adventure, or idea, or thought out there but you can’t even imagine what it might have to say because you can’t read it. I am astonished by the patience and concentration it must take to read this way. It’s an incredible skill and method to overcome what to most of us would be a crushing loss of senses.

Someone couldn’t see the words on a page, so they had the idea to invent brail. A methodology that opens every door for anyone who has digits they can train. It is a great example of the human spirit inventing and overcoming whatever gets in it’s way. And to those of us who do not have that skill, we are left in the dark. So who’s the one without vision here, the sighted person or the blind? Without the knowledge and skill, even those with all their senses are without the ability to succeed.

Never take for granted that you have learned things and can use that knowledge each and every day of your life. Never take for granted that you CAN overcome anything, if you are willing to do the work and learn. Never take for granted that someone had to go first, overcome the barriers, and forge the path for you to follow. Never take for granted that you may be doing just that in some area of your life so that others can follow along the road you are creating with your efforts.

It can be tough to go first, figure things out and lead the way. But someone has to go first. Someone has to refuse to let their disabilities or circumstances or life’s challenges stop them from progressing. This page of brail reminded me that anything is possible, anyone can overcome, and others need to know what you know in order to change their lives.