Learning experiences happen to us throughout our lives, and not too long ago, I had one that I would like to 1 . This story began with a 2 three years ago. It's a story of pizza and being3of buying ice cream with a US $20 bill.
I was going to Marblehead, Massachusetts, with my racing team on the highway and we were all 4Luckily, we saw a rest area5. I had a brand-new US $ 20 bill, and I had 6had that kind of cash before. Spending it on food 7to me like throwing it away.
We all rushed into the pizza line. 8 I got a cheese pizza and drink. Halfway through the 9, I realized I had not actually 10 any money to the cashier. I felt terrible. I just couldn't go back to the cashier and11my stolen pizza. I would feel embarrassed.
I was so upset that I refused to give myself the12of an ice cream in fear that someone would say, "Hey, Jeff, why don't you 13 the change from the pizza instead of that nice, new US $20 bill?"
was not so proud of my 14 now.
For the next two years, whenever I was15of the "Pizza incident," I 16my eyes and said to myself, "Not gonna think about it, not gonna think about it…"
I think this 17the saying, "A coward (懦夫) dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies 18." I was a coward and have felt19 about that incident at least a thousand times. If I had been a "hero" and gone 20up to pay for the pizza, then I would have felt a little embarrassed about it only once, or maybe twice.
You Did More Than Carry My Books
Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed a boy ahead of him had dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with a baseball bat and several other things. Mark 1 down and helped the boy pick up these articles. 2 they were going the same way, he helped to carry some of them for him. As they walked, Mark 3 the boy's name was Bill, that he 4 computer games, baseball and history, that he was having a lot of 5 with his other subjects and that he had just broken 6 with his best friend.
They arrived at Bill's home first and Mark was 7 in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed 8 with a few laughs and some shared small talk, and then Mark went home. They 9 to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, and then both ended up from the same high school. Just three weeks before 10, Bill asked Mark if they 11 talk. Bill 12 him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Do you 13 wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I 14 out my locker(橱柜) because I didn't want to leave a mess 15 anyone else. I had planned to run away and I was going home to 16 my things. But after we spent some time together 17 and laughing, I realized that 18 I had done that, I would have 19 a new friend and missed all the fun we would have together. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you did a lot more. You 20 my life.”
I fell in love with Yosemite National Park the first time I saw it, when I was 13. My parents took us there for camping. On the way out, I asked them to wait while I ran up to E1 Capitan, a 1rock of 3,300 feet straight up. I touched that giant rock and knew2I wanted to climb it. That has been my life's passion ever since— 3the rocks and mountains of Yosemite. I've long made Yosemite my 4.
About 15 years ago I started seeing a lot of 5, like toilet paper, beer cans, and empty boxes, around the area. It's 6me why visitors started respecting the place 7and treated such a beautiful home-like place this way.
I tried 8trash (垃圾) myself, but the job was too big. I would9an hour or two on the job, only to find the area trashed all over again weeks later. Finally, I got so10it that I decided something had to change.
As a rock-climbing guide, I knew 11about organizing any big event. But in 2004, together with some climbers, I set a date for a 12. On that day, more than 300 people 13. Over three days we collected about 6,000 pounds of trash. It was amazing how much we were able to 14. I couldn't believe the15we made—the park looked clean!
Each year volunteers come for the cleanup from everywhere. In 2007 alone, 2,945 people 1642,330 pounds of trash.
I often hear people 17about their surroundings. If you are one of them, I would say the only way to change things is by 18rather than complaining. We need to teach by 19. You can't blame others 20you start with yourself.
Dad had a green comb (木梳). He bought it when he married Mum. Every night, he would hand me his 1 and say, “Good girl, help Daddy clean it, OK?”
I was 2 to do it. At age five, this dull task brought me such 3. I would excitedly turn the tap 4 and brush the comb carefully. Satisfied that I'd done a good job, I would happily return the comb to Dad. He would 5 affectionately (慈爱地) at me and place the comb on his wallet.
Two years later, Dad started his own 6, which wasn't doing so well. That was when things started to 7. Dad didn't come home as early and as much as he used to. Mum and I became 8 with him for placing our family in trouble. With 9, an uncomfortable silnce grew between us.
After my graduation, Dad's business was getting back on track. On my 28th birthday, Dad came home 10. As usually I helped him carry his bags into his study. When I turned to leave, he said, “Hey, would you help me 11 my comb?” I looked at him a while, then 12 the comb and headed to the sink(水槽).
It hit me then: why, as a child, 13 Dad clean his comb was such a pleasure. That routine(习惯) meant Dad was home early to 14 the evening with Mum and me. It 15 a happy and loving family.
I passed the clean comb back to Dad. He smiled at me and 16placed his comb on his wallet. But this time, I noticed something 17 . Dad had aged. He had wrinkles next to his eyes when he smiled, 18 his smile was still as 19 as before, the smile of a father who just wanted a good 20 for his family.
At the age of 14, Harvey Bay teenager Mark Farrell took a dive into a swimming pool that would 1 his life forever.
"I jumped into the pool and broke my 2," he says. It's a very unusual story 3I jumped into the deep end, not the shallow end where most spinal (脊柱的)4 occur."
Mark has been in a wheelchair ever since and now, at 27, is very calm about any 5 life might throw at him. In fact, he finds it 6 to name any challenge. "I just live my life and 7 it day by day," he says.
For the past few years, Mark has 8 with the Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT), telling his 9 to young people in the Harvey Bay region. He also works as a whale 10, taking photos for various publications and calendars. "If I can 11 one kid's life, it makes every single 12 I do worthwhile," he says.
The aim of the SEAT program is to 13 students to prevent spinal injuries and help them to 14 understand the challenges facing people who 15 with a spinal injury.
Mark discusses the importance of checking the 16 of water before diving in and being more cautious 17general. He has told thousands of school students his story over the years and says that if his 18 can prevent one spinal injury in a young person, he's 19 .Mark's contribution to preventing spinal injuries was 20 in 2017, when he was named Young Australian of the Year.
Heroes come in different shapes and sites. Some are born to give others a1. Then there are the people who2 happen to be in the right place at the right time. That was the 3for John Underwood.
On a cold evening, a storm 4near his home. Underwood was heading over to help his sister when the roads were5. He saw some other drivers get stuck, so he got out of his truck to help. “My6 is that if I have the ability to do good, then I should do it. There should be no7.” he said.
Underwood wasn't out of his8long before he heard a cry, “Someone was 9, 'My parents, my parents!'” Moments later, a 12-year-old boy ran up to Underwood, saying his parents were 10and asked for help.
The Hammonds went to get things from the basement when the walls11to bear the weight of rain and fell down, and they couldn't12. Worse still, the water was rising fast. 13 was of extreme significance, so Underwood took action at once. Any inappropriate action could add more dangers. Luckily, Underwood had 14 as a contractor (承包商). “Digging a hole in the living room floor, I knew it's a 15way.” he said.
With physical strength, patience, and a lot of 16, Underwood saved their lives. He said he did what anyone would do, but that's not necessarily true. It's 17to put yourself in a dangerous way to rescue another. That's why the American Red Cross 18him. Ann Otto, who was in charge of the 23rd Annual Acts of Courage Awards, said the Awards should19heroes like Underwood who have acted 20and selflessly in a time of emergency.
You never know what nature has prepared for you as a gift. Years ago, when walking alone on a beach in remote southwest Florida, I was so1to hear splashes（水溅声）coming from the water. As I walked in the2the sounds, I saw a manatee(海牛)show its head out of the water,3a great snuffling(带鼻音的)breath. It seemed that it was in4and trying to get out of it.
I'd never seen a5like this before. I wanted to ask for help, but there was no one 6. So I went into the shallow water and went toward the animal. I came7enough to make out the manatee. Then, a second manatee, much smaller, appeared beside it.8, the other manatees were also moving toward me. Soon I was9by several manatees. I could clearly see the larger manatee 10the little one up with her flipper(鳍状肢)and pushed it to the surface beside me.
As the two slipped underwater, two other manatees moved up from behind, one on either side,11gently against my body as they swam past. They circled and 12the action, this time13by the mother and her baby. I held my hand out touching their back as they passed me. Since they obviously enjoyed touching me, I began14each of them as they swam by.
I stood there enjoying the scene,15to move, until finally the rising tide 16me back to the shore. Later I knew exactly what took place that morning. The manatees involved me in their celebration of a birth and I was welcome to meetthe 17member of their family.
During that unexpected scene, I felt more involved in the rhythms of18on our earth than ever. Each year, I head for that19for a quiet little birthday picnic on the shore. After all, you never know who might20up for your party.
I had worried myself sick over Simon's mother coming to see me. I was a new 1, and I gave an honest account of the students' work. In Simon's case, the grades were awfully low. He couldn't read his own handwriting. 2 he was a bright student. He discussed adult subjects with nearly adult comprehension. His work in no way reflected his 3.
So when Simon's mother entered the room, my palms (手掌心) were sweating. I was completely 4 for her kisses on both my cheeks. "I came to thank you," she said, surprising me beyond speech. 5 me, Simon had become a different person. He talked of how he 6 me, he had begun to make friends, and for the first time in his twelve years, he had 7 spent an afternoon at a friend's house. She wanted to tell me how grateful she was for the 8 I had nurtured (培养) in her son. She kissed me again and left.
I sat, stunned (惊呆), for about half an hour, 9 what had just happened. How did I make such a lifechanging difference to that boy without 10 knowing it? What I finally came to 11 was one day, several months before, when some students were 12 reports in the front of the class. Jeanne spoke 13, and to encourage her to raise her voice, I had said, "Speak up. Simon's the expert on this. He is the 14 one you have to convince, and he can't hear you in the 15 of the room." That was it. From that day on, Simon had sat up straighter, paid more attention, 16 more, and became happy. And it was all because he 17 to be the last kid in the last row. The boy who most needed 18 was the one who took the last seat that day.
It taught me the most 19 lesson over the years of my teaching career, and I'm thankful that it came 20 and positively. A small kindness can indeed make a difference.
I recently joined an organization called Kindness Water, which was 1 by Phillip Wagner. One day when he was reading the newspaper, he 2 a story about Africa and was 3 to learn that 3.6 million people died every year. The reason why they died was 4 there was not enough clean drinking water. He knew he had to help. So he 5 money from friends and churches to help the people in a Malawai village to dig a well (水井). Then he set up a bottled water company and 100% of the money he made was used to 6 more wells. Within a year, he gave a hand to more people in Uganda. Since then，there have been 550wells in 19countries and more than 325000 people have been helped.
But here is what really 7 me: It all started with one man, Phillip Wagner who wanted to make a difference. He saw a need and he did what he could to help those in trouble. Thousands of others who read the same 8that morning might have also been surprised when they learned the 9that so many people didn't have clean drinking water. But all those people didn't 10. They thought, "Oh well. That's too bad. 11, somebody will help those12don't have any clean water."
Phillip Wagner decided to be that somebody, and 13 the help of thousands of others who have joined, he is making a difference to the world. You see, 14 change starts with ordinary people doing their 15. I want to be one of those 16makers.
As a video of children smiling and swimming in clean water rolled in the background, Phillip Wagner said, I just want you to know that I 17my all, did my best, brought happiness to someone and 18 this world a little better just because I was here."
Let's live out those words today. 19 you choose to help the homeless people or 20 any other good things for those in need, let's be difference makers. Let's leave this world a little better.
A Welcome Gift
Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them 1 side by side at the piano. They played jazz music to celebrate their new home. The loud 2 filled the room and made them feel very happy.
The next morning, 3, their happiness disappeared. Someone had left a 4 under their door during the night. One of their neighbors had written to complain about the sound of the piano. Dario's mother asked the building superintendent (管理员) if he knew anything about it. But he said that they were all 5 people and he couldn't imagine any of them had done that. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their 6 and apologize for their playing.
"Maybe we could go and 7 everyone in person." his mother said.
"What if we invited them to come here for a 8 instead?" Dario asked.
They both loved the 9. Over the next few days, they sent out invitations and prepared desserts 10 their guests. They decorated the apartment with streamers (彩带) and party lights.
Finally, the day of the party 11. Some guests brought presents. Others brought flowers. Some even brought desserts to 12. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, 13 Dario's mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.
"I heard you playing the other night," she said. "The sounds woke me out of bed. I 14 that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note. I hope you don't think I disliked the playing."
Dario's mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. "I think maybe we 15 you an apology." she said. "I didn't 16 how late it was when we were playing. Maybe we should play some quieter music at night.
"You play, you play!" Mrs. Gilbert said. "I like what you play! Just not so loud at night." She pointed to the book she had given them. "These songs are not such 17 music."
"These songs are beautiful music." Dario's mother said. "We will be 18 to play them in the evening."
"And we won't play so loud or late!" Dario said. He was already looking forward to 19 the new music. More than that, however, he was happy to see the big smile on his mother's face. It gave him a feeling of 20 and made him feel that they were home at last.
I remember as a smart child when we met with either family or friends. Someone would come up and mention my high "1" and ask, "What are you going to be when you 2?"
Well, it started out being a teacher or a hero. 3 it was a fireman, artist…As I grew older my dreams of the future 4. When I was in college, I was asked, "What will you major in?" This was another question 5to find out what I would be when I "grew up".
By then I had set about becoming a 6programmer. So I studied and prepared for that. I was studying software full-time for much of my life. I am 7that I could realize my dream that affords me the opportunity to have a positive8on someone's life. However, for many, there is a "9" which goes around stealing our dreams and robbing us of the necessary mental state to attain our10. Sometimes, the thief will come as a parent, a relative, a friend or a co-worker, 11the greatest thief is just ourselves.
We find ourselves just about12the aim, and this "small" voice inside says, "You'll never13. Very few have ever done this successfully." And on and on the "small" voice14 some kind of failure.
Failure, though, is exactly how dreams are15. It is one of the most important16 we have, because it teaches us17 lessons. And, when we learn these lessons well, we are ready for 18, which is probably just around the corner.
There is no "overnight" success, but with perseverance (毅力), it will come. So, be true to your 19, and don't let anyone steal it from you. You can do anything you want to do, so don't 20.
I frequently went to Pune during my stay in Mumbai three years ago. The two cities are just 15 km away from each other, but traveling that 1 is a headache. My work required me to do it and I would 2 to travel at least twice a week.
This one time I was returning from Pune. Like other drivers, this taxi driver also struck up a general 3 about me and my city. He 4 by saying that kids are one's greatest happiness. As a confirmed bachelor (单身汉), I got slightly 5 when he started all about kids and family. Then he said something that really 6 me. He said he was a musician. I asked him which 7 he played, and he replied, "I have no electronic system." Thinking that taxi drivers can't afford an electronic system, I 8 listened to him continuing with his 9.
His name was Naveen. He was basically a musician who was 10 playing the guitar and the keyboards. Naveen had left his 11 after a quarrel with his father over taking music as a 12. Naveen had his instruments but didn't know how to make 13. The only other thing he could do was to 14. So he joined Mumbai-to-pune taxi services. That served him as the regular 15 in weekdays and in the weekends he'd perform in Pune, Nasik or Mumbai. By now he had 16 a slightly famous musician in Maharashtra. But he had a 17 wherever he played. He asked that the place couldn't be ticketed. They can 18 for food or drinks if it's a pub or a restaurant but no tickets.
I heard Naveen's songs. He was 19. He had a trick which made me call him a 20. Among all the faceless drivers, Naveen stood out. He inspired me to leave my job and start a theatre career in Delhi.
In the doorway of my home, I looked closely at my 23-year-old son, Daniel. In a few hours he would he flying to France to1a different life. It was a transitional(过渡的)period in Daniel s life. I wanted to2him some words of significance. But nothing came from my lips, and this was not the3time I had let such moments slip away.
When Daniel was five, I took him to the bus stop on his first day of kindergarten. He asked, What is it going to he like, Dad? Can I do it? Then he walked4the steps of the bus and disappeared inside. The bas drove away and I said nothing. A decade later, a similar5was played out. I drove him to college. As I started to leave, I tried to think of something to say to give him6and confidence as he started this new stage of life. Again, words7me.
Now, as I stood before him, I thought of those8opportunities. How many times have I let such moments9? I don't find a quiet moment to tell him what he has10to me or what he might11to face in the years that followed. Maybe I thought it was not necessary to say anything.
What does it matter in the course of a lifetime if a father never tells a son what he really thinks of him?12as I stood before Daniel, I knew that it did matter. My father and I loved each other. Yet I always13never hearing him put his14into words. Now I could feel my palms sweat and my throat tighten. Why is it so15to tell a son something from the heart?
My mouth turned dry, and I knew I would he able to get out only a few words clearly. "Daniel," I said, "if I could have picked one, I would have picked you." That's all I could say. He hugged me. For a moment, the world16, and there, were just Daniel and me. He was saying something, but tears misted my eyes, and I couldn't make out what he was saying. All I was17of was the stubble(胡子茬)on his chin as his face pressed18mine. What I had said to Daniel was19.It was nothing. And yet, it was20.
Long ago, three monkeys lived in a tree near a castle. They liked to1anything they found, especially sparkling（闪亮的）things.
One warm night, the king left his bedroom window2. A monkey went into the bedroom secretly to explore. She3the king's crown（王冠）sitting in its golden box on a table. In a flash, the monkey hurried back out of the window with the4in her hand, and then5it in a hole in the tree.
The next morning, the king discovered the6golden box. No one else could have climbed into his room so7! The angry king told his guard Ravi what had happened. “If you can find my crown, I will8you,” he promised.
When Ravi9how much the monkeys outside the king's window liked to show off, a(n)10came into his mind. “Perhaps the11will show me where to12”, Ravi thought.
He waved two13in front of the monkeys, and then hung them on a low branch(树枝)and waited. The monkeys soon climbed down to14Ravi's gifts. One monkey put a hat on his head. The second monkey15the other hat. But the third monkey was not16the old hats. 17, she climbed into a hole near a branch, pulled out the crown and placed it on her head. “Look at me!” the monkey seemed to say to her friends. “I have the18hat of all!”
Ravi smiled as he watched the monkey hide the crown again. Quickly, Ravi climbed up the branches to get it.
“I'm sorry. You cannot19 the king's crown,” Ravi told the monkey. “But I am20you liked showing it off!”
Later that day, the grateful king gave Ravi a bag of gold coins as a reward.
Today was a special day for me. What a privilege it was to have this opportunity to spread a little love and kindness!
I had doctor's 1 in a town that's about 45 minutes from where I live. After both my appointments were 2, I left the building. I was about to 3 on my bicycle when I noticed an elderly woman standing at the gate anxiously. I 4 myself and asked if she was waiting for someone or she needed
5. As it 6, she was having trouble walking the distance and had asked for a 7 and a staff member to pick her up but no one had come yet.
Virginia 8 was kind to no one, and I was 9 for this dear lady's health. So I 10 my bike against the wall, handed her my umbrella and asked her to wait. Then I ran into the building again. At the help desk, I explained her problem and asked for a wheelchair. The receptionist asked me, "Is she 11?" I was upset at the question and answered, "She's a bit large, I suppose, but if transporting her is a 12 for you, I am willing to do it myself."
She looked sort of 13 by my reply, but I was losing my temper simply because the woman outside needed help, no matter what her 14 was. The help desk woman nodded and we walked to the lady at the gate. She 15 her hand to help the lady, but the lady said "No, I'm fine. I'm expecting her to help me." She was 16 to me. I first locked the brakes (闸) before helping the woman into the wheelchair. After she was 17 seated, she softly thanked me for my help.
When I returned home, what happened to me today kept going 18 my mind and reminded me how much I appreciated the 19 to help the lady. It gave me a 20 of satisfaction and a peaceful heart.
There were two lovers. The man was 1cowardly (胆小的) that he always let the girlfriend try first everything 2 they would do. His girlfriend was not so 3 with that.
Once they went out to sea. After returning, their boat was 4 by the storm. Luckily, the girlfriend held a 5 to rescue their lives. The girlfriend asked her boyfriend, "Do you6?" The boyfriend took out a fruit knife and said, "Yes, but if any shark comes I can 7__it with this." His girlfriend only shook her head with a cold smile.
Soon a great number of people on a 8 found them. Suddenly, a group of sharks appeared. His girlfriend 9, "Let's swim hard together and we'll be all right!"
But her boyfriend suddenly pushed her into the sea, held the wood and shouted to the ship by himself, "Let me try 10 this time."
11, his girlfriend looked at her boyfriend. The sharks were drawing near, but they were not interested in the girl and swam 12 to the boy. When he was torn and bitten fiercely by the sharks, the boyfriend 13 shouted to his girlfriend," I love you!"
The girl was saved. All the people on the deck were standing in silence. The captain sat beside the girl and said, "Miss, he is the 14 man I have 15 seen. Let's pray for him!"
"No! He is a 16," said the girl coldly.
"How could you say like this? I have just been watching you 17 the telescope. I saw clearly he 18 his wrist with the knife after pushing you away. The sharks are very sensitive (敏感的) to the 19. 20 he hadn't done this to buy time, I'm afraid you would never appear on this ship…"
My friend, Audrey, was a wonderful talker. When another person told a story, she would take 1 of the first empty space by saying, "That2 me of something that happened to me. " Then she would3 to tell a longer, even more dramatic(戏剧性的) story about her experiences. She was always praised for her gift for 4, which made it hard for her to realize the gift of5 could be even more important than the ability to speak skillfully.
She carried on with this6, uncorrected, into adulthood. Then a turning point came during one of her dinner parties. A guest named Stanley was7about his daughter's disease. 8 Stanley opened his mouth to answer, Audrey said, "I know exactly about it" and turned the9 to her own experience with a similar health problem.
She had spoken for a minute or two when Stanley suddenly began10. He offered a simple 11 to his hostess:" I'm sorry, Audrey. I didn't mean to12, but I just can't listen now because I'm too13 about my daughter. "
Of course, Stanley had no reason to apologize and Audrey 14 that. For the first time, she realized she was too insensitive. This15 experience led her to do self﹣observation.
Audrey decided to16 listening. When together with friends, she tried to only listen. When asked about herself, she answered17, without detailed explanation. When speaking, she said with more18. It just made her realize she was an ordinary person and that being ordinary was not a(n) 19 thing. It was just about being herself.
Perhaps our courage to20 our ordinariness is one of the keys to happiness in our valued relationship.
Lilly was a French Canadian girl who grew up in the farming community. When she was 16, her father1her to drop out of school to contribute to the family income, With English as her second language( and) 2 education, the3didn't look bright for Lilly.
Lily's father was a stubborn man who4 took "no" for an answer. He5Lily to find a job. With small hope of gaining6, each day she would just ride to the city, walk7 about and return home at dusk."
On one of her 8, Lilly saw a sign at a big company9, she knocked the very first door. In her 10 English, Lilly told the office manager she was interested in the secretarial position. The manager 11 to give the girl a chance. He directed her to type a letter, and then 12. Lily looked at the clock and saw it was 11:40 am. She thought everyone would be leaving for13 at noon when she could14 away in the crowd. But she knew she should15the letter.
On her first try, Lily16 one line of five words and made four mistakes. On her second attempt, she completed a full paragraph, but still made many mistakes. She looked at the clock: 11: 55—five minutes to 17. Just then, the manager walked in. He came directly to Lilly, read the letter and said, "Lilly, you're doing 18 work!"
With those simple words of encouragement, her desire to escape disappeared and her19began to grow. Lilly thought," Well, if he thinks it's good, then it must be good. I think I'll stay!" Lilly did stay-all because someone had given a20 and uncertain girl the gift of self-confidence when she knocked on the door.
Careers in science are generally believed to be too complex for students who aren't talented or clever enough, but Scott Kelly, commander of the International Space Station, would prove it's wrong.
As a kid, he was absent-minded and 1in science and all other subjects as well. He couldn't2what the teachers said in class. Therefore, he earned terrible grades and3graduated from high school, and he even thought he would never4his dreams.
That all5when he picked up the film The Right Stuff, Tom Wolfe's classic account of the pioneering Americans who first explored space. 6, he was determined to be an astronaut, which meant doing well in7classes. So starting that day, he8his mind to do well in it.
After so many years' daydreaming, it wouldn't be9. But he started regarding study as a game. The more he10his study skills, the better he got. Eventually, it became a11with himself to see how good he could get. Then the former 12 started getting straight A's in science, which is 13 for those who want to be an astronaut.
So we need to stop 14 the idea that science is just too hard. Everyone can learn this stuff — he just needs to be15to do the work.
Rebecca, who I met at a business conference in Las Vegas, is one of the1people I have ever known. So sharp in mind was she that she made a deep impression on me. Even if you were around her for an entire day, you probably wouldn't notice her2.
She was born with severe dyslexia — a slight disorder of the brain that causes difficulty in reading and spelling.3her learning disability, she had to be in4education classes for most of her elementary and middle school years. Despite the5, she refused to let dyslexia6her life. Every day, she worked on7her disability with the help of her parents. Her dad would spend an hour every morning8her with math. In the evenings her mom would have her read books out aloud and then her mother would9her on the content.
10, in her effort, Rebacca's hard work11. By high school, she had12from special education classes all the way to honor classes. "When l was young, no one thought I could ever attend13, "she said. Not only did Rebacca14going to college, but she graduated as the top of her class.
"I always had a vision, "says Rebecca, "of one day being a15. But it seemed like such a crazy16that I never told anyone. "Today, Rebecca's vision is a17. She graduated from law school and is18working her up in one of the largest law firms on the East Coast. Rebecca says: "I wouldn't change a thing. My learning disability 19brings challenges to me now, but it also gave me the20to make my childhood dream come true. "
