I read two very interesting and motivational stories this morning.  The first has me hoping the person in the story succeeds in finding work because so many people just expect a job to land in their lap. The second has me hoping the young boy in the story is able to use the education he is so determined to get to have him be rewarded in some special way.  In both cases the stories are a reminder for all of us that life isn’t always easy and we need to figure out how to overcome the mountains that we must climb in life.

 

The first story I’d like to share with you is the story of Kimberly White of North Carolina.

 

Kimberly has been unemployed for a year and a half and recently made a 26-mile round trip on her daughter’s bicycle just to be able to put in a job application. Kimberly was laid off from her administrative assistant job in February 2011 and ran out of unemployment benefits two weeks ago.

 

She rode her daughter’s mountain bike from her home to a career center to get her application in before the deadline for a posting she read about.  The 26-mile round trip took her about 3 hours, but she made it in time to submit here resume for the job. 

 

As of today, she hasn’t received word that she is even being considered for the position.  So, it’s not necessarily a happy ending story (at this time), but personally I sure hope this woman is recognized for her efforts and locks into a job soon. 

 

How many people today are complaining about not getting a raise or working at a job they wish they could dump. Maybe more of us need to think of those who are without any work and realize how blessed we are to have a job.

 

The second story I’d like to share with you is the story of Yan Yuhong. 

 

In the village of Jiaba in China, 10-year-old Yan has been walking to and from school on his hands every day for the last four years.

This isn’t just a walk down the street.  It takes Yan 90 minutes.  That’s 90 minute to school and another 90 minutes to get home walking on his hands.

 

Yan was left partially paralyzed by a childhood illness. He initially crawled to get around but then learned to walk on his hands when he was just four-years-old. He can get around with crutches but says he can walk much faster on his hands.

 

In spite of his disability, Yan says he’s determined to finish his schooling and support himself in the future.

 

 

Wow, here’s a 10 year old boy who already realizes that the world doesn’t owe him anything and if he wants to succeed he’s got to set the wheels in motion himself.  Next time I think I’m having a bad day I’m going to Yan Yuhong and smile at my problems.

 

Life is what you make it!