A big hello! Welcome to another issue of Inspiration from a Blind, brought to you by the one and only www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Of all your achievements, what are you most proud of?
That was what a reporter wanted to know while she interviewed me for a newspaper feature. Surprisingly, I believe it was the first time that someone posed that question, so I was, at first, lost for an answer.
All the major accomplishments I've achieved in my twenty-five years swam through my head in lightning speed. Which is my proudest achievement?
I could tell her that I was most proud of mastering grade level and a foreign language (English) after only about 180 days of school attendance. You see, owing to years of hospitalization for severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, I didn't receive education until age eleven, when I attended school for the first time in special education in elementary school. Back then, I only knew my ABCs and few simple English; I knew that two plus two equals four and that three times five is fifteen. I had no idea from where rain comes or why the sky is blue. But because of my thirst for knowledge, I devoured everything that was taught and mostly self-taught myself how to read. So after about 180 days of attendance, I mastered grade level and entered regular sixth grade in middle school.
Or I could say it is that without eyesight or Braille, I was able to balance and write long chemistry formulas and equations in my head, and that I was able to complete my GED test, including mathematical calculations and problem solving, graphs, and an essay; still receiving an exceptional 3280 on the test.
Perhaps my proudest achievement is that I'm able to write, format, layout, publish, and promote my books, and design and maintain my own website, as a blind award-winning author.
But all that would be a lie. None of them was what I'm most proud of.
Can you guess which achievement of mine am I most proud of?
"That I am happy with my life," I answered the reporter unhesitatingly.
"There are people who seem to have everything but they lack happiness in their lives. They envy what others have and aren't content for what they have," I explained. "But despite my disabilities and all I have to go through, I'm very happy with my life. I'm content with what I have. That's what I'm most proud of."
And that's what I'm most proud to say.
How about you? What is your biggest achievement in your life? Is it being a CEO to a Fortune 500 company, or is it teaching important lessons to your children so they can grow up as responsible and caring adults?
I find my answer by focusing on what is truly important in life. What is life really about? What are we here for? What should we do while we are here? Is it to make one million bucks, or is it to make a positive difference to at least one person in our lives? Is it to constantly wish for materialistic things, or is it to cherish our own existence?
Just because I am not rich does not mean I am not wealthy. My pockets are empty, but I am the richest girl when I am blessed with the following treasures:
*My beloved mother Juliet Cheng, the cornerstone and light of my life; the foundation of my happiness, strength and success
*My own life
Those two are the biggest presents in my life, so I am absolutely content with what I have.
I may be blind, but I am still able to hear my mother's laughter as we share jokes.
I may not have the ability to walk, but my heart still can dance with the gentle summer breezes as they play with my hair.
What is there not to be happy about?
Shirley's Corner
I have written my eighth book, which is a first-step guide to self-publishing and promotion. Since it just provides the basics, it cannot answer every question an aspiring author may have, but it can definitely point people in the right directions. I've decided to write such a guidebook after receiving questions about publishing and promotion from folks of all ages (I love it when kids e-mail me, expressing an interest in becoming an author when they grow up!). I know there are quite a few such books already in the market, but how many are written by a blind and physically disabled author, and interspersed with the author's own experiences?
Well, I need your help—what general publishing and promotion questions do you have? This will help me touch on any topics I may not have mentioned, and will insure that I will have a useful guidebook for most beginners. Send your questions to me by replying to this e-mail. Thank you a bunch!
I'm delighted that my book, "Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide," has been featured on www.CoolBookOfTheDay.com where a cool book is featured every day. If you want reading ideas for the summer season, by all means check out this new site. And if you're an author, why not have them feature your book as well? It will cost you nothing, and you get to potentially reach thousands of people.
Take a moment to imagine how successful you'd be if you were privy to a monthly mega-meeting with ultra-successful people who gathered together to reveal their success secrets to you! In the private members area of "The Success Avalanche Insiders Club", my friend Mohamed Tohami has invited so far 98 ultra successful people (including yours truly) in one-on-one conversations to share their knowledge, wisdom, and success secrets with you. And he recorded every conversation in MP3 format so you can download and listen to them at your convenience. That means you'll have access to success secrets from 98 ultra successful people in their monthly interviews. Plus, you'll receive 20 super bonuses worth $1329.70...and much more!
Friends, I want to hear from you! What topics would you like me to talk about in future issues of my newsletters? Do you have any questions about life you'd like answered? Do not be shy—e-mail me your ideas, suggestions, and questions, and I will definitely consider them in future issues. After all, my newsletter is for you, and therefore, I want you to be most enlightened, entertained, and educated. E-mail me by replying to this newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you.
Until September arrives, I wish you much happiness. Remember to focus your energy on what is truly important in your life, then act upon your plans to put your energy into positive use.
Take care, and best wishes always.
Content Copyright by Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved
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Award-Winning Author
Miracle survivor, inspiring author and contributing author of seventeen books by age 24, poet, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, advocate, and a co-author in the bestselling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love book series
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club
http://www.shirleycheng.com
Having a bad day? Then meet Shirley Cheng, A.K.A. the modern day Helen Keller, to inspire, empower, and motivate you to go for the gold medal in life!
"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope haul you high!"
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