Elizabeth Hughes, 8, made her debut signing the national anthem at an AHL Norfolk Admirals game against the Connecticut Whale last Friday night. Angelic voice, bundle of nerves … and then after the words “gave proof,” her microphone abruptly cut out.
What happened next might be something we’ve seen before at a sporting event, but that never lacks for inspiration (and maybe a misty eye or two). There’s a moment around 1:30 into this clip that gives us hope for humanity:
An 8-year-old girl is about to suffer a moment of extreme embarrassment that’s not of her creation. A woman in the crowd cackles at this moment; not laughs, cackles. You then hear someone “shoosh” those like her during the brief silence. You then hear the crowd pick up the tune in unison.
From Kim P., an Admirals season-ticket holder who sent over the clip:
The little girl did not lose composure at all and after a second the crowd took cue and started singing. But even the players were singing and did a stick tap at the end.
Patrick Hughes was born crippled and without eyes. But he was also born with a talent for music, a positive outlook on life, and one of the most incredible dads you will ever encounter.
Often, children like this are “discarded.” But not children with a father like Patrick’s. At an early age, his father saw Patrick’s musical ability, and nurtured it. His dedication of time — working graveyard shifts so he can go to school with Patrick — led them both to be members of the University of Louisville’s Marching Band. Patrick plays trumpet and dad pushes the wheelchair.
Watch this short video that shows the heart of a handicapped young man and the love and strength of a devoted father. And when you’re done, reconsider your own complaints about your life.
This was a piece done during ESPN College Gameday on 12/2/2006.
For more information, and to support Patrick by buying his music CD’s and his book, “I Am Potential,” go to his website.
How do you keep peace within you in challenging times? Can you find your serenity and confidence, despite external events? It just takes mind training. Listen to the happy Buddhist monk, photographer and author, Matthieu Ricard, as he lectures to a TED conference on how anyone can, and really must, do this.
I’ve watched it three times now, and I got something new out of it each time What did you get out of it?
Bookmark this video, and the next time you starting complaining about how tough things are for you, watch how Barb Guerra deals with her problems. Instant cure.
Autistic 5’6″ student Jason McElwain, didn’t make the Greece Athena High School basketball team. But Coach Jim Johnson, with his heart of gold, brought him on as Team Manager, a role he ended up holding for three years, missing only one game in that time.
Word got out before the last home game of his senior year that Coach Johnson had told Jason to suit up this time, and that he would try his hardest to get him in the game. It was Senior Night, his fellow students piled in to watch the game, with cutout signs of Jason’s face on them, in their hands ready to wave if he got on court.
We won’t spoil the ending, just watch the short video. If you don’t cry, you’re not human.
Almost one hundred years ago, positive living writer and lecturer Christian D. Larson published what he called “The Optimist Creed” in the book “Your Forces and How to Use Them.”
You cannot be something you are not. Don’t force it. Step back, relax, and try something else. Eventually, you’ll find your calling. In the meantime, your determination will you busy and away from pessimistic thoughts.
Comedian Jim Carrey is hoping that his new movie, “Yes Man,” will help moviegoers forget about the bad economy and other problems, and help them instead to laugh at it all. He’s right, your problems will be here whether you laugh at them or cry about them. Laughing, or at the least not crying about [...]
You’ve surely heard all the reasons why you should try to smile more: A smile causes others to smile back A smile causes an auto-response in your brain that makes you feel happier A smile attracts positive people to you, rather than fellow sulkers A smile makes you more likable A smile makes you more [...]
