WEEK 4: HELEN KELLER

Week 4 we celebrate:

HELEN KELLER
June 27, 1880 - June 1, 1968

For many of us born in a certain era, when we think of Helen Keller, we picture Patty Duke in the 1962 movie, 'The Miracle Worker'.  Ever since then, I have been in awe and admiration of Helen.

To be born in the late 1800's and accomplish what she did as a woman was impressive as it was, but to do it being blind and deaf is remarkable. She has always been the epitome of strength, courage, determination and perserverence to me.

Born in Alabama, she lost her sight and hearing to illness at 19 months. In spite of that, she lived a remarkably adventurous life - travelling the world and meeting famous people.

She had her first book published at 11, wrote an autobiography at 22 and went on to pen ten more books. She was an activist, speaking out for women's suffarage as well as labour rights.

Helen lived a full, rich and long life, leaving a legacy of wisdom and inspiration that was born of 'walking the walk'.

Wiki info to read more.

WEEK 3: KAHLIL GIBRAN

The book that I have read more than any other publication, and the book that I have purchased more than any other publication is “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran. 

 I got my first copy in 1974 and have read it dozens of times since – every year at least two or three times. I have a copy of The Prophet in all of my spaces – this house, my cabin and Eden by the Sea in Newfoundland. Whenever I find one at a book sale, I pick it up to pass on to someone else. I also bought the audio, and find listening to wonderful voice who reads it, very soothing.

I made bookmarks with the quotes from The Prophet long before I started my card creations. In fact, I send his ‘On Work’ quote along with all my creations.

 Kahlil Gibran

 January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931 

 Gibran, born in Lebanon, immigrated to the USA as a young man where he studied art. He became known a literary and political rebel, and as being at the ‘heart of renaissance’ with his prose style poetry. 

Still a literary hero in Lebanon, Wikipedia states he is “chiefly known in the English speaking world for his 1923 book ‘The Prophet’ – an early example of inspirational fiction.”  It gained a resurgence of popularity in the "1960's counter-culture", which would be why I was able to find it in the early seventies.

Also quoted from Wikipedia is the fact that Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind William Shakepeare and Lao Tzu.

WEEK 2: Rumi

This week's wisdom comes to you from:

RUMI
September 30th, 1207 - December 17th, 1273

Rumi, who's birth name was Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, was born in Persia (now Tajikistan). His father - a scholar, theologian, jurist and mystic, also had a connection to spiritual lineage - all of which obviously had an immense impact on Rumi.

From Wikipedia:

When the Mongols invaded Central Asia sometime between 1215 and 1220, Baha ud-Din Walad, with his whole family and a group of disciples, set out westwards. according to hagiographical account, which is not agreed upon by all Rumi scholars, Rumi encountered one of the most mystic Persian poets - 'Attar'.  Attar immediately recognized Rumi's spiritual eminence. 

He saw the father walking ahead of the son and said, "Here comes a sea followed by an ocean."  He gave te boy is Asramama, a book about the entanglement of the soul in the material world. The meeting had a deep impact on the 18 year old Rumi and later on became the inspiration for his works.

He said: "When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth but find it in the hearts of men."  Certainly, almost 740 years later, Rumi's words and wisdom, do indeed rest in many hearts.

WEEK 1: T.S. Eliot

It's interesting that I chose Eliot for the first week which happens to include the day he left this world. Even more co-incidental is the one that came on the anniversary of his passing. My first instinct was that it spoke of death.

Thomas Stearns Eliot

September 26th, 1888 - January 4th, 1965

T.S. Eliot, a playwright, publisher and literary and social critic was born in the USA. He moved to the UK at the age of twenty five; fourteen years later he became an official British subject.

Wikipedia say that he is "arguably the most important English language poet of the 20th century".  He earned numerous accolades and awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948.

He is quoted in the October 1950 Time magazine as saying: "The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do more, and you are not yet decrepit enough to turn them down."

You've got a point, TS ... you've got a point :-D