Comments on: Why Wouldn’t I be Happy? http://dreamsforkids.org/why-wouldnt-i-be-happy/ Dreams For Kids Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:35:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: K DaRosa http://dreamsforkids.org/why-wouldnt-i-be-happy/#comment-71 K DaRosa Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-71 DFK and Artists for Harmony (who introduced me to ICRE) are vehicles who, in large, take care of the 'but how can I help' question. And my hats off to you drivers! They create opportunities for all of us. They open doors to the very places and people who, most unsuspecting, contain secrets to true happiness. NPO's like DFK's help people realize the 'power of one'. In my experience, reading books like 'Good to Great' is important - much like Snow White, some lessons never wrinkle with time. But it's the 'seeing' that inspires, that has true impact. Every other Saturday Artists for Harmony (artistsforharmony.org) visits ICRE. And in my short time joining, I've learned lessons that touch me daily. No doubt, these kids unlock life's secrets. Just look at the smiles on their faces. They do not judge. (Well, one called me a 'fool' for cutting my hair.) They love unconditionally. They enjoy hugging. They are honest. (Again, the hair comment.) They shine with humility and they ask for help when they need it. They are not afraid to take a chance - to throw a ball with a crippled hand or recite ad-libbed poetry on cue. They exercise patience with themselves, their equipment, their friends. If only that patience could be bottled up and placed on crowded expressways. But I'd say the greatest lesson, and one that I revert to when life seems overwhelming, is to appreciate what's before you. I notice these kids do not complain - the human condition and one we're all guilty of. They do not focus on the future or what is out of they're control. They live in and for the present. Tom, thanks for sharing Quincy's story. Sometimes we need people like him to flick us on the foreheads. To remind us that 'yeah, happiness' is a choice. An outcome of how we choose to live our lives. DFK and Artists for Harmony (who introduced me to ICRE) are vehicles who, in large, take care of the ‘but how can I help’ question. And my hats off to you drivers! They create opportunities for all of us. They open doors to the very places and people who, most unsuspecting, contain secrets to true happiness. NPO’s like DFK’s help people realize the ‘power of one’. In my experience, reading books like ‘Good to Great’ is important – much like Snow White, some lessons never wrinkle with time. But it’s the ‘seeing’ that inspires, that has true impact.

Every other Saturday Artists for Harmony (artistsforharmony.org) visits ICRE. And in my short time joining, I’ve learned lessons that touch me daily. No doubt, these kids unlock life’s secrets. Just look at the smiles on their faces. They do not judge. (Well, one called me a ‘fool’ for cutting my hair.) They love unconditionally. They enjoy hugging. They are honest. (Again, the hair comment.) They shine with humility and they ask for help when they need it. They are not afraid to take a chance – to throw a ball with a crippled hand or recite ad-libbed poetry on cue. They exercise patience with themselves, their equipment, their friends. If only that patience could be bottled up and placed on crowded expressways.

But I’d say the greatest lesson, and one that I revert to when life seems overwhelming, is to appreciate what’s before you. I notice these kids do not complain – the human condition and one we’re all guilty of. They do not focus on the future or what is out of they’re control. They live in and for the present.

Tom, thanks for sharing Quincy’s story. Sometimes we need people like him to flick us on the foreheads. To remind us that ‘yeah, happiness’ is a choice. An outcome of how we choose to live our lives.

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