A Lesson on Limitations

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
—Helen Keller
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Helen Keller was born June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Helen lived an active, normal life until nineteen months of age when she developed a high fever and became seriously ill. Although doctors did not offer much hope that Helen would live, Helen survived. Her illness left her blind and deaf.

As a young child, Helen acted out frequently. Her behavior was often so aggressive and violent that her family contemplated placing her in an institution. Helen’s mother refused to institutionalize her, and began seeking out people who might be able to help Helen.

Helen resisted communicating with others until Martha Washington, the daughter of the Keller's family cook, taught Helen how to communicate through sign language. Although Anne Sullivan is referred to as Helen’s “miracle worker,” it was young Martha Washington who first taught Helen that she could communicate with her outside world. Most communication specialists agree that the young Martha Washington’s had a profound influence in Helen Keller’s success.

At the age of six, Helen was introduced to Anne Sullivan. Anne Sullivan was a former student at the Perkins Institute for the Blind. Anne Sullivan, once completely blind herself, was able to gain partial vision after a series of medical operations. Anne was hired to be Helen’s teacher and continued to serve as Helen’s teacher, guardian and close companion until Anne's death in 1936.

At the age of twenty, Helen Keller enrolled in Radcliffe College. Four years later, she became the first blind person to earn a bachelors degree from a college. Helen Keller achieved many other extraordinary things in her lifetime, including: becoming a famous speaker and author; founding the Helen Keller International, a nonprofit organization for for vision, health and nutrition; helped found the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); traveled to 39 countries; and On September 14, 1964, President Lyndon B, Johnson awared her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian awards. In 1965, she was elected to the Women’s Hall of Fame at the New York World’s Fair. Helen Keller passed away at the age of 87 on June 1, 1968.

It’s true that Helen Keller success can be attributed to those who had an influence in her life; mainly her mother for not giving up on her; The young Martha Washington for teaching her communication was possible; and Anne Sullivan for inspiring her and teaching her that nothing was impossible. One can never overlook the value of mentors, teachers and supporters when looking at the success someone has achieved. No successful person has ever gone it alone. However, all the support and guidance in the world will be to no avail, if no will exists. It was Helen Keller’s desire to learn and her courage to overcome her physical limitations that was the driving force in her success. Helen refused to allow her physical limitation to foster self-limiting beliefs. Ultimately, she knew that her ability to communicate, read and learn depended upon what she believed to be possible.

How about you? Do you have the courage to face your limitations? Courage is acting in the face of fear. You can bet that Helen Keller had significant fears. Helen lived in a world of darkness. How frightful that must be to a young child. Helen’s physical limitations were beyond her control. Yet, she possessed the will to overcome her limitations. All too often, our limitations are not beyond or control. Rather, they are self-imposed. We’ve created these limitations by our self-talk. We’ve talked ourselves into limiting our full potential. Our negative self talk causes us to limit what we can we experience, which in turn, limits our ability to learn new things and grow. Our self-imposed restrictions generally originate from fear; fear that if played out, would be proven to be unfounded.

Helen Keller demonstrated to the world that limitations are only limitations if you allow them to be so. When you begin doubting yourself about whether you can or can't do something, take some time think about a little blind, deaf girl from Alabama who refused to limit herself and in turn moved a nation.

It's Your Life: Live it, Love it & Celebrate it!
MJD