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Greetings!
Welcome to the latest newsletter from Luminate.
Last week whilst watching Denzel Washington being interviewed on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, I was delighted to hear him mentioned the idea of gifts. Not the kind that you give at birthdays and Christmas, but the natural kind.
This got me thinking about another interview with a famous person on this topic and I'd like to share their insights with you. I hope you enjoy.
Warm Regards, Nicola
Luminate
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Denzel's words of wisdom |
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During his interview with Jonathan Ross, Denzel was asked about his involvement in politics. His response was something that I found to be quite inspiring....
 "Well my view is that you can't take it with you. Be it money, talent, patience, love. Whatever your gift is, you can't take it with you. So what are you going to do with it whilst you are here? Who have you lifted up? Who have you made better? Who have you helped out? Not how much do you have but w hat do you have? Some people have love, some have patience, some have money. Whatever your talent is, and we all have something, help your fellow man..... You do the best you can with what you have."
Well it was these words that got me thinking about that other interview.... |
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Superman's frustration |
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Before the sad passing of Christopher Reeve (the actor who played Superman during the 1970's and 1980's) he was interviewed by the BBC's Hard Talk radio show.
During the show he was interviewed about his experiences of being a quadriplegic following his devastating horse riding accident. The interviewer asked Christopher what was the most frustrating thing he had encountered as as a quadriplegic. His answer was "seeing obesity hit the 60 million people mark in America!"
The interviewer, surprised by Christopher's response, asked him to clarify his answer. It went something like this (paraphrasing)....
Well my frustration is that these people have the one thing that I don't have to overcome their problem. I would swap their obesity with my disability any day. If you gave me obesity I guarantee you that I would not be obese one year from now, as I would use my body to lose weight. These people have the one gift that I don't have - the gift of movement - and they are not using it! I can't tell you how frustrated that makes me feel! |
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Use it or lose it! |
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After hearing that statement by Christopher Reeve I must admit I was ashamed. I had taken my gift of movement for granted. I now never let a day go past without using my gift of movement in some positive and intentional way. I even joined a Latin American dance class as a direct result!
So what gifts do you have that you are taking for granted?
- Do you have the gift of movement but aren't using it?
- Do you have the gift of hearing but don't really listen?
- Do you have the gift of free speech but don't speak up?
It's only when our gifts are taken away from us that we really appreciate what we have.
So in the words of Denzel Washington "Whatever your gift is, you can't take it with you. So what are you going to do with it whilst you are here?" |
