Don't Be Ashamed of Your Story, It Will Inspire Others.

 (Above Video Shared by a reader from New Jersey in response to last week's reflection)

Points to Ponder: “It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Story Line: Don't Be Ashamed of Your Story, It Will Inspire Others. 

Last week's Reflection about Hope, Persistence and Perseverance (Tough Times Donot Last)  inspired many readers and two readers were kind enough to share personal stories (first two below) from their lives that are very inspirational.

I met her at their store,in the early 70s. Bfr the fire.she was a strong,practical,kind woman. Like my mom, lots of sad,but feisty wartime stories to pass dwn to us n to our children..to kp hope alive,but be alert for every opportunities that comes along to have a better life..
My mom used to tell me her story. Her father owned a big grocery in San Pablo, laguna. He used most of his earnings to helped his relatives from china to the Phils. a fire destroyed the grocery,wt no insurances, they wr left penniless.soon her father died from grief n illness. After that her mom became a laundry woman to feed her 4 kids,my mom was 4 then, the youngest was only 1 yr old. Nobody,not even the relatives her father helped to come to the Phils help them. Her eldest sibling,a sister,married early at 15 to a 31 yr old widower,to avoid rape by the japanese soldiers.she had a sad,but long married life. My mom was about 12 yrs old wn she went all by herself wt other women to Mla,to buy things from Mla to sell in their province. Its a 4 hrs or more back n forth trip from province to mla n back to the province. She said she had to be brave n help her mother,cz she have 2 younger bros.to feed n take care. She joined a local beauty contest in san pablo in her late teens n WON! after that she went to mla to find work as a cashier in a well knowbed Chinese restaurant.There she met my father, one of the part owners son..n the rest is history. My mom n dad bickered like kids, but nothing serious, more on the funny side.. my father was a hardworking,sweet guy. Everytime he's home from his job vacations from the lumber in the province, he helped in house chores, n repairs. I missed my father n mom so much..but then ,am goin to be 61 this year..n so it wl be less than 15 or maybe 20 yrs n then I wl be wt them. Wt all these problems n the pandemic , am keeping a strong faith n hope so my kids will Hv a positive, stronger faith too. - Philippines

Anand this story touched my heart and soul. Especially tangled with the word "Lola". I am so proud to be a Filipino because I myself have gone through some hardships and never gave up. At times especially when .....I thought the world is closing and that every dream that I tried to achieve will never happen and I was wrong. I'm now feeling that I'm zdx o lucky to have a life that's full of laughter and joy. I'm happy that I'm a Lola to my grandkids . My loving husband is always so supportive in whatever i do. Now that I'm retired i pursued a lot of home projects and feels very blessed that I'm able to make a difference. Life is short and I would like to enjoy everything that life has to offer. Thank you Anand for sharing and look forward to reading more of your reflections- Arizona

Great remembrance of a life/soul who lived her time on earth being grateful for what she had and never being in despair or asking Why me? She knew very well that living a life of sadness would make waste for the life that she had. She spent her energy instead to take care of the family. Through that act and your sharing here, lots of people would be inspired to overcome their potentially smaller challenges.- Arizona

It’s been 10 years since her passing! Wow….and yet her story and message of hope, perseverance, and not giving up but keep working hard in dealing with all challenges for better days that are yet to come is just as or even more powerful in today’s environment. Thanks 🙏🏼 for sharing and remembering her. California

In life, there are so much uncertainty that belongs to our circle of concern ... our mind is the one most important aspect that in our circle on influence. Malaysia

She lives on forever in our hearts ❤ California

Anand, thanks for this beautiful story. Lola is a remarkable woman!  - Singapore

Amazing story of perseverance. – Arizona

Amazing and very remarkable story! A true inspiration. 👌👍 - India

Since many of the comments is about hope here is a little passage from the Bible. In Acts 24:15 it says “And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteousness!” That is my hope someday when God resurrects Lola and other members of the family to live an everlasting life here on earth! That is including all of you friends who are hoping that one day everything will be alright in God’s time and his own will! - Connecticut

This is very inspirational. She was braved and yes, lots of hope regardless of all the obstacles/tribulations she had. I believe and please correct me, I met her too when you visited. I was with my mom at that time..- Wisconsin

Inspiring story, thank you for sharing. Was she related to you? New Jersey

Anand very touching life of Mrs Lola .today of is 10 Th Anneversery I pray to God to give a peace to her soul🙏🏻 -India

Very beautiful story about Lola- California

The message about ….. “hope, perseverance, and not giving up but keep working hard in dealing with all challenges for better days that are yet to come” …. Thanks 🙏🏼 - California

Coincidently I show a timely reminder of the message in the story for me. The message about ….. “hope, perseverance, and not giving up but keep working hard in dealing with all challenges for better days that are yet to come” …. Thanks 🙏🏼 -Malaysia

I have nothing but respect, awe, and wonder for all the integrity, resilience, strength, courage, and patience that Mrs.Lim was constituted of and made evident. Thank you for this wonderfully inspiring and reassuring narration of such a grand lady.🙏-India

Heart wrenching and endearing. -India

A superb reminder in present unprecedented times!! – United Kingdom

Oh my goodness... Where's my tissue... Thank you for inspiring my Lola!!!!!!

Tremendous will, abundant hope. - California

Remarkable story indeed ! –California

Makes me cry. Inspiring and filled with hope. May Lola/Mrs. Liam’s beautiful memory always be for a blessing. ThNk you for sharing this Anand. ❤️ New York

Oh I love this. In all honesty I really admire this woman. I can't forget how she managed to keep her modest home immaculately clean and tidy in spite of never ending chores. Seems so ordinary but it has a lasting effect in me💕 - Philippines

Too good. She was really courageous. Never lost hope. But her story is sad. Her two sons, her husband all died and she was left with the responsibility for whole life. Hats off to her. She never lost hope for better days. This gives inspiration to us to fight with odds in the life.- India

Interestingly, the opening of your FR 10 years ago is still valid as of current situation, global health challenges, political and economical conflicts ....Thanks Anand for sharing. Reminded me of the book The Alchemist. Always have a dream.- Malaysia

Reflection: Things that are given away (shared) are never lost. 

 

Comments

[Shardamandir Friend J]

👌👌Learned manythings.nevergiveup hope.Stsndstrongly against any circumstances.👍

[SH]

A story of courage & perseverance... what a tough women, mother & grandmother... faces life’s challenges with strength & determination... 💪💪💪👍👍👍👏👏👏 a good son-in-law was there to support too!👍👍👍

[Sam]

I heard a talk recently which said, we should be realistic as well as optimistic. Being optimistic is having the hope that even though we cannot control the outcomes in our life, we can try to create them through our persistence and hopefully, it will make an impact not only in one's life but light a candle for another soul. Great life lesson in the 4 candles video. Also, great that the story of Lola touched so many lives. This makes her still alive in so many people, which is not something everyone can do.

[BHSC]

Great story and comments... thank you for sharing

All the best

[ET]

Thank you so much for including my mom's story in ur FridayReflections feature...hope am half as brave as she was.

[Humble Warrior]

The music/message went very well with the FR and inspirational people above! God bless