Determination and Perseverance by Becky Roach
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared , ambitions inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller
When I think of people I admire, and desire to be like, they are people who have not had an easy life. They have experienced a great deal of trial and suffering. Helen Keller is a prime example of this. Her parents started off catering to her every whim. How they must have pitied her, being deaf, blind and unable to speak. But soon they realized she must be trained and disciplined or she would destroy herself and their family. So, they sought a teacher and found Annie Sullivan.
Both Annie and Helen went through many trials and much suffering in order to reach the goal of teaching Helen to read, write, and, eventually, to speak. But Helen went on to become a great woman of achievement and Character, admired by all who knew her. It was the trials and suffering that produced the strength of character in both the teacher and the pupil. Of course, many people go through trials and suffering and just give up in despair and never achieve anything. They may just become a burden to their friends and family. so, it is the response we make to the trials and suffering that makes the difference.
When Helen Keller realized she could learn to read, write and speak, she was determined to do so, no matter how hard she had to work.
Her story of how she and her teacher persevered and all tht Helen achieved has been and is for all time an inspiration to everyone. If someone with her challenges can achieve greatness, then anyone can. Anyone, that is, willing to work long and hard and not give up no matter how difficult the obstacles may seem.
I love this quote and the story of Helen Keller because it shows how trials and suffering are like stepping stones to greatness. They are absolutely necessary and are like exercise for the soul.
