In the video, there is a reporter, walking down the street with Ben. As they walk together, Ben uses a method called echolocation to tell the reporter what is along the street. Ben, who is totally blind, points out a fire hydrant, a car, and a trash can. But that's just the beginning.



Next, you see Ben on Roller Blades, in the middle of the street! As you watch, you are almost in disbelief. How can this blind boy actually rollerblade in the street? But wait, there's more!

You also see Ben playing video games! That in and of itself is ironic, don't you think? Of course, by the time you see Ben playing Foosball with the reporter, you are pretty much flabbergasted. The reporter admitted, a bit sheepishly, that Ben beat him 5 to 2.

Back when the tragedy happened to Ben, it was his mom who began to tell him that he still had his nose, his ears, and his mouth. She consistently and effectively taught Ben that life is all about using what you have.

On the video, Ben's mom was very confident when she said that no one is going to tell Ben about any impossibilities for him, because there aren't any. She goes on to say that it is all about attitude; be proud of who you are no matter what.

I've watched that video several times. It's very inspiring to say the least. It made me think of how many people there are who have all their senses and yet still complain about so many things in their lives.

One of the biggest complaints that you hear time and time again is just how "unfair" life is. Well, who ever said that life was supposed to be fair in the first place? As our children were growing up, I reminded them on many occasions that life was not fair. I told them that they had to decide what they were going to do with their own lives regardless of the circumstances.

Lots of people complain about all the bad breaks that they have in their lives. What they are really saying, is that other people are "lucky" and they are not. But "luck" has nothing to do with it. So called "bad breaks" are not the issue. Instead of using all the resources that they have, which in most cases is a lot more than Ben has, they choose to make excuses and blame everyone else.

Watching a video like Ben's inspires you. First of all, you get so happy to see this young man utilizing what he has, rather than focusing on what he doesn't have. To see him happy and enjoying life and doing so many things warms your heart.

But watching something as dramatic as that also causes you to look at your own life. It becomes a little easier to identify complaining versus gratitude. It's pretty obvious that Ben is grateful to be alive and has decided to utilize all that he has. Instead of complaining and feeling sorry for himself or focusing on his limitations, he is grateful, excited, and looking for opportunities!

That is a very good recipe for success. In fact, talk to someone who is successful and see if you can detect any self-pity; see if they spell out all their limitations or if they have a vocabulary of complaining.

Successful people don't feel sorry for themselves because they know it is a waste of time. Successful people don't focus on their limitations because it is so counterproductive. Successful people focus on possibilities and opportunities.

Ben's mom was very impressive. She said, "Be proud of who you are no matter what. It is all about attitude and using what you do have. No one is going to tell him that there's an impossibility; there is none."

That's not only great encouragement, it's solid direction for anyone who decides to adhere to it. Regardless of any limitations that you may have, the Creator never designed you to be a failure. With His help, nothing can stop you from living your dreams and having the desires of your heart.