This is my response to "(WE92) Weekend-Engagement: Posting topics" You can also join the challenge here.
Special shout out to you, sir @galenkp for everything that you do.
Topic:
Who has inspired you to be your best self? You can choose anyone at all for this answer, except your own family members. Is it an author, movie or book character, member of your community, Hive person, businessperson, podcast presenter, sportsperson, someone from history? Tell us who it is, how they inspired you, what actions you took and how your life has been improved because of it.
I've never looked at anyone the same ever since I watched this movie title "Blind Side". It gave me a massive shift in the way I think and how I see people. It also gave me an interesting perspective that I get to choose what makes me happy and it doesn't have to be a popular opinion as long as it's what I wanted.
We live in a world where we want to maintain a certain view in the eyes of others. We want to keep up and anything that can soil us, we want to keep away from it even if it's a noble cause. Most people are concerned about the perception of others even if what they are doing is noble. They would rather ditch it so they can stick to the appraisal of their high ranking friends.
That movie shaped me a lot and it's about a black kid called Michael O'her and they call him "Big Mike". It's a true-life story and that's why the movie stuck with me. Big Mike had troubles with his upbringing because the mother was an addict while the father was never around. Michael managed to get into the school with the help of his uncle but he doesn't even have a place to stay.
A family; a white family, took a keen interest in Big Mike because the youngest son was fond of him and his size. He felt he needed someone to protect him from time to time. It took the family a while though but this family reached out to him one day; the wife actually and they invited him into their home. He was offered the couch because they felt it would just be for a night but after close examination, the woman got to know that he didn't really have anyone else.
She spoke to her husband who was at first reluctant but he trusted his wife because he has never seen his wife care about anyone that deeply except her own family. They took Big Mike in, adopted him and then guided him through Rugby because they noticed that he might not be sound academically but his protective instincts for those he loves is high. Rugby was the game for him and he made a name for himself till today.
How It Inspired Me?
A. What I picked and what shaped me in this movie is that, the woman or let me say the family broke the cultural barrier and it's never about where you are from or who you are, if you see anyone in need, try to help out. The world has enough of our needs if only we can break the barrier and help one another. It shouldn't be about us alone. This shaped me a lot because I can relate with people across the board without gender bias or cultural differences. I focus on the worth of others rather than their skin colour.
B. Your help might be the answer to the dream of others.
We often overlook the little gestures we do for others. We might not know how important and how huge it is for them. That white family opened the door of their home for Big Mike and they helped him realize his dream of becoming one of the best out there. This helped me a lot because I just want to help others no matter how little. I've been in situations where I would do something for someone and they would keep raving about it. I would ask myself, "that little thing?". This is why I always want to be of help to as many people as I can. If I can help them get closer to their dreams, I would be fulfilled.
C. Life is about sacrifice.
The husband sacrificed the time of her wife to keep Mike. The children sacrificed the affection of their parents and shared it with Mike. The woman sacrificed her high profile friends who mocked her for helping Michael. They even thought she was using him to gather sympathy and she had to cut them off. She sacrificed her social standing and the club just to keep hold of Michael.
This made me understand that giving is not truly giving until we give to someone who might never be able to repay us. Life is about sacrifice and the more we live, the more of ourselves we must give to others as long as it's making a difference in their lives. I've had to sacrifice my bed to accommodate others, even part away with my money because I would rather see others make good use of it especially when I know what I intend to use the money for was just for luxury.
D. Helping others make us better off.
The husband decided to keep Michael around and he was convinced about it especially when he noticed how calmer, how kinder and how subtle the wife had become. Helping Michael humbled that woman so much that the point where Michael told her he had never slept in a bed before after one was offered to him, the woman ran out, closed the door and wept. She didn't realize the struggles of others until she met with Big Mike.
That changed my mentality too and that is why I held on to this quote for so long, "Stop being proud because you have bread to eat. Always remember, someone owns that bakery." I got to know that we are privileged for the things we have and I don't have to assume others have what I have...I just have to help in any way that I can. It would make us have those who look up to us and we wouldn't want to do anything to make them feel disappointed.
Watching that movie changed my thinking and I have decided to help people more and by God's help, I've been doing that. I've decided to look beyond what the world calls limit and focus on the potential of others. I've improved in my giving, in my reach out, in being there for others and nudging others to their goal with the little gestures I can give...even if it is just a place to sleep or advice to give.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
It's a tough one for him, but he was able to find way with a narrow way. This movie is touching and something that can make one inspired to take up the best challenge in life. Life is all about ups and downs, but the way you manage it would be the outcome.
It's a nice one @olawalium
Absolutely. Challenges would come... We have to weather it and thank God for that wonderful family who helped him.
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Thank you, Posh.
It's always an honour. I enjoy taking part. Thank you so much.