Greetings from Inspiration from a Blind Newsletter, brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com
What is life all about? Everyone has their own definition of a perfect life. Some may say a perfect life consists of wealth with piles and piles of money enough to buy anything anyone could ever offer; while others may say life is at its grandest if there's overflowing happiness and love enough to go around the entire world. I must say that I belong in the ladder group.
Life is simply a pretty shell when it doesn't have the most important ingredient—the people you truly love and care about and who love you in return. If I were as rich as, or richer, than Bill Gates without anyone to love and to be loved back, life would be totally meaningless. Life is about living your best, loving one another, and building happy memories together.
I certainly felt that I was living a great life on August 12, surrounded by those I care about while building a happy memory in the process to be treasured for as long as my soul is in existence.
What is so special about that day? Well, that day brought together some of the most important people in my life, including my dear mom. My best friend came with her mother, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend's sister. Another friend came as well, together with her daughter. I was honored having them as my audience...
It was my first book signing in a bookstore, and I gave an empowering talk. Although the turnout was small—I had nine people in my audience—it was a good turnout; my talk was very well-received. A teacher from a local high school cried during my talk and she wants me to speak at her school of 2,000 students. This event was definitely a door-opener, an experience I'll always have tucked in my memory book deep in my heart.
So, that's my update regarding my book signing. I know I will have more news about future signings and talks. The bookstore manager has invited me back for another event for the coming fall season, so needless to say, I'm both honored and delighted. Mark your calendar for Friday, October 6 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Borders Books & Music. E-mail me for details! As you see, it's on a weekday night—they usually do not have signings on weekdays, so this is something special. Below is an excerpt from my press release regarding this event:
"To aid the blind and physically disabled victims of poverty, natural catastrophes, and medical and educational disadvantages in over 113 developing countries, Dutchess County author and poet Shirley Cheng will be holding a book signing and giving an empowering talk and donating some of the proceeds to Christian Blind Mission International (CBMIUSA.org). The book signing will be held at Borders Books & Music (1820 South Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2006. Along with signing four of her five books, she will give an inspirational talk titled "I'm Not Disabled, I'm Ultra-Abled" focusing on her autobiography, "The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine" and on her trials and tribulations and how she has overcome them with a bright attitude, coming out as a winner each and every time."
So, if you'll be by the area, please do stop by! If you know of anyone in this area, please let them know.
On to other news: I have something else exciting to share (but don't I always have?) for this issue: the long-awaited day finally arrived—101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2, has at last been released. (Well, the official release date is actually September 12, but co-authors have their copies already.) If you want to achieve spiritual affinity and ultimately the success and fulfillment that come with it, then read my chapter, Dance with Your Heart: How to Befriend Your Heart and the World Around You, which gently teaches you how to hold hands with yourself then with others around you. I'm taking orders at http://www.shirleycheng.com so grab a personalized autographed copy today!
Featuring Jack Canfield (co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul books), John Gray (bestselling author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus), and other highly acclaimed experts like Richard Carlson, Alan Cohen, and Bob Proctor.
On the back cover...
We can all reach our dreams. We can all soar. It's just that sometimes we need help getting off the ground. In Volume 2 of the 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life series, our experts disclose success secrets on achieving your ideal life, maintaining mind-body balance, dealing with difficult people, and countless other important topics. Self-improvement is a journey that never ends. This book will make that journey a bit easier for you.
And even more exciting news...
A fifth book is slated for release at the start of 2007; it's the latest installment in the bestselling inspirational Wake Up...Live the Life You Love series, to which I've contributed, along with highly notable people including Carla and Lou Ferrigno, TV's the original "Incredible Hulk" and neighbor on the network television comedy show, "King of Queens"; Dr. Wayne Dyer; and Tony Robbins. I'll post more information about the book, along with my own chapter, as the date nears, but I'm taking pre-orders for autographed copies at http://www.shirleycheng.com Stay tuned!
I've saved the best for the last for this issue. I have made a very nice new friend from the Net, Frances Strong, who is also a visually impaired writer and she uses Jaws as well to help her use a computer. I'm very happy to share her story (below) with others. Not only is it a good story, but also, I feel that it is especially important for visually impaired people to read. Many blind or visually impaired people have no idea they could actually use a computer without eyesight. We have wonderful technology, but it is useless when people don't even know that it exists, so writing and sharing stories like Frances' will help spread the word about this kind of technology to those who would benefit from it.
Lucky
This is a story of a horse named Lucky and how he changed my life.
"Listen to this!" my husband said to me as he read from the classified ads in our local newspaper. "Here is a TW horse nineteen years old for $400. Don't you want another horse?"
"I don't think so. My eyesight is getting worse and I don't think I could ride again," I replied. "Besides, a Tennessee Walking horse for that amount probably means that something is wrong with that old horse."
Jimmy, my husband, didn't seem to hear what I said and continued, "Why don't we go look at the horse? It won't hurt anything just to look, right?"
Smiling at his persistence, I answered, "Okay, we'll just take a look."
On the way out to the farm that cold January morning in 1991, I reminisced. "I do miss my old Fella. He lived a long life of 33 years you know. The girls have horses but I can't ride their spirited horses."
Jimmy sweetly patted my arm and said, "Since your father died last year and you had to stop teaching because of your eyes, I noticed that you have been down in the dumps lately."
"Yes," I said. "I have been wondering what to do with my life. I can hardly read any more. But I know that God will take care of me. I must have more faith in Him."
When we stopped at the man's farmhouse, I wished I had worn my boots. In my haste I slipped on my tennis shoes. The yard was muddy and soon my toes felt the cold. The animals ran to the fence as the owner threw out a few handfuls of grain for them. Chickens squawked, smelly goats butted and scrambled to get their share. A lamb was bleating pitifully. Several horses came forward too. Then I saw him. A horse stood afar off. His head hung low and he seemed to be bracing against the cold wind as it wrapped his tail around his hind legs.
Without any struggle the owner brought him to me with a bridle.
"Here," he said,"I'll go get his saddle and you can try him out."
I wondered to myself, "What am I going to do? I should have known better than to come out here."
Just then as I stroked his face with my glove, the horse rested his head in my arms. It was as if he was asking for help. "How could I refuse such a plea?"
"I've got his registration papers and everything," the man told Jimmy and me. "He was something in his prime. He was in those fancy Tennessee Walking horse shows. One time he led the flag presentation at one of those Darlington 500 car races."
"yeah," Jimmy was somewhat disappointed." "Look at his filthy dirty coat and feel his ribs."
"Yes, I know," I admitted. I just can't leave him here. Let's take him home."
So Lucky came home with me. I called him lucky because he was lucky that I found him and I was lucky to have a horse again. God made it possible for me to have this gentle, remarkable old horse.
It took about six months or more for Lucky to regain his strength and look well again. His black coat with white stockings and a nice snip on his nose was striking. His gentle nature allowed not only me to ride him but children and inexperienced riders as well
Lucky had a good seven years with me before he died. After his passing, I told my good friend, Betsy Lee, about Lucky. She said,"That would make a good children's book"
That's how I got started writing on the computer. At age 57 I thought I was to old to learn; but Betsy would not let me get discouraged. She sent her daughter, Linda, to help me on the computer. She made the background black and used large white font letters. That helped a lot. With Betsy's editing and mentoring abilities, I was able to finish the book. I called it, A Lucky Pair. Actually, it was God that led me all the way.
The computer gave me avenues that I had not thought possible. I wrote poems, church plays for the children, family history and more. But soon my eyes were declining. I had awful headaches from trying to read the screen. I told Betsy I would have to stop.
I had joined the Federation of the Blind in our local chapter here in Sumter, South Carolina. Neil Towery, a wonderful blind man, called Debra Canty, our chapter president. He asked if anyone would be interested in learning the Jaws program. After Debra took his classes, she asked me to take the course. Again, I thought I was too old to learn such a program. I was now 60 years old. But God and Betsy urged me on.
The Jaws program is a screen reading program that is marvelous technology especially for the blind. Then I could not only read and write again, but e mail and get on the internet. It reads whatever I write or ask it to read my e mail and the internet information. The possibilities are limitless. I am still learning more.
Since the year 2000 I have been blessed to be able to publish two more books. The last one, Beth's Fella, is about my life on the farm with my wonderful horse, Fella. The other book, Pat, the Cat, is a read-aloud poem book also for children.
Writing this I am 65 years old. I am grateful to Betsy for not letting me give up. Also Neil Towery's Recovering Sight Foundation has aided me in securing the computer and Jaws program. To God be the glory.
Published with permission from Frances Strong. All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of Frances Strong.
I close today's issue with, "Life a life that matters to you. No matter what others say, if you're having fun, then you're having fun. Have fun with those you care about; have fun by yourself. Build happy memories together; but also build happy memories alone."
