Helen Keller's Take on Definition of Happiness

Helen Keller in 1905, activist, lecturer and author - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Helen Keller was both a pioneer and blind, deaf and mute in a time long before computers, society's compassion or teachers who understood she was smart but locked inside a body that did not function like everyone else.

It was amazing to read about how Helen grew as a person as her teacher figured her way through the process to reach and educate her. It was a great accomplishment for both student and teacher.

Sign language was just beginning to develop at this time as the educational system was starting to address the needs of the deaf, moving away from writing them off as stupid and unteachable. What Helen learned along the way was deep, thoughtful and inspirational. There are many incredible quotes attributed to Helen Keller.

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” — Helen Keller

How Beauty, Love and Action Interact

Image by Always Be CoOL via Flickr

From Denny: The famous Persian poet, Rumi, was a nobleman and great scholar of the 13th century. He met a wandering famous spiritual teacher named Shams who mentored Rumi about mysticism. Rumi was clearly transformed by the intense relationship. His poetry reflects the inner journey of discovery and reunion with God that, like any true mystic, transcends specific religion.

Peonies, like those in the photo and Rumi's inspiration from his poems, are complex flowers of many interlocking petals, yet unfurl into something incredibly beautiful! A European friend once paid me the greatest compliment to compare me to a peony and it has remained her nickname for me ever since...

“Let the beauty that you love be what you do.” - Rumi