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Clear Pathways Coaching Newsletter 9/9/07

Dear Friends: Welcome to our monthly newsletter. We offer
some information, some inspiration and some features to
keep you smiling.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle we face in dealing with
difficult challenges is ourself. Our own thoughts and
beliefs can prevent us from moving forward in life.

Warmly, Lillian

To read this newsletter on-line go to:
http://www.clearpathwayscoaching.com

Contents:

Quote of the month
Consider this
Article
Good humor/good health

QUOTE: Start by doing what is necessary; then do what’s
possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – St.
Francis of Assisi

CONSIDER THIS: How do you get yourself unstuck from
difficult situations? What inner and/or outer resources do
you call on for help and support? At times, do you notice
you are the one getting in your own way?

ARTICLE

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was
inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge
connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge
building experts throughout the world thought that this was
an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea.
It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had
never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of
this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew
deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to
share the dream with someone else. After much discussion
and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington,
an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be
built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son
developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how
the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and
inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before
them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream
bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months
underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of
John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a
certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not
being able to walk or talk or even move.

"We told them so."
"Crazy men and their crazy dreams."
"It’s foolish to chase wild visions."

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the
project should be scrapped since the Roeblings were the
only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite
of his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still
had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind
was still as sharp as ever.

He tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of
his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he
lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight
streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the
flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky
and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up.
Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one
finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving
this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his
wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to
her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he
used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the
engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was
under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with
his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally
completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in
all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's
indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated
by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and
their team work, and to their faith in a man who was
considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a
tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who
for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her
husband and told the engineers what to do.

GOOD HUMOR/GOOD HEALTH:
A first grade teacher collected well known proverbs. She
gave each child in her class the first half of the proverb
and asked them to come up with the remainder of the
proverb.
• Better to be safe than.....punch a fifth grader.
• Don't bite the hand that.....looks dirty.
• You can't teach an old dog new.....math
• Happy the bride who.....gets all the presents
• A penny saved is.....not much
• Children should be seen and not...spanked or scolded
• If at first you don't succeed.....get new batteries

Remember: He who laughs, lasts.

Lillian Mills, B.S., M.Ed.,
Certified Life Coach
You may send comments, suggestions, or a contribution to
lillian@clearpathwayscoaching.com.

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