What makes people what they are? Some people rise to challenges and do great things. Others do wonderful things without the initial challenge and some end up in a life of crime, or just struggling to get along. Is it our upbringing? The country we live in? The experiences we have? Or maybe just in our nature.
A few weeks ago, Dame Elizabeth Murdoch died at age 103. She truly was a remarkable Australian. I think she was probably our biggest philanthropist, but she alway said that anyone could give money, you have to do something too. She mentions this in the video below.
Dame Elizabeth was born into a privilaged family, went to a private boarding school and in 1928 married quite young to a much older man. This man was Sir Keith Murdoch a successful businessman. Unfortunately, he died in 1952.
Dame Elizabeth had already started her life of philanthropy before she got married. In fact, in the video above she says that it was at age 16 that she went to a children's hospital and was so upset by it, she felt she had to do something. Click here for more information.
She could have given up and mourned her husband for the rest of her life, but instead, she devoted herself to the service of others. Every video clip I have seen of her she is always smiling and laughing.
Maybe she had a very long and successful life because she was always happy and positive and she was serving others, not always receiving from others.
I read once that there are three things that people need to live a happy life. The first is to have something or someone to care for, the second is to have something to look forward to and I can't remember the third. Please let me know if you know what the third one is.
Back to us - do you have someone or something to care for? Do you have something to look forward to? Do you help others? Do you look on the bright side of things? I am looking forward to receiving your thoughts.
a truly inspirational lady and yes, I think it is partly nature, I was inspired by the WA recipient of the Australian of the Year 2013, the young man who started life in Australia as a refugee and is now helping others...I believe the third thing is to have something to do :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sherrie
DeleteEven though I didn't personally know Dame Elizabeth Murdoch I was sad that she died. Hopefully, we have some other truly great Australians to take her place.
I, too, was inspried by the Young Australian of the Year. It just shows that if you work hard and have the right attitude, the world is your oyster.