A Talent for Gratitude
“Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” Leroy “Satchel” Paige
Some people have a talent for appreciation and gratitude. Robert Smithdas, PhD, spends his life feeling grateful and feeling happiness. Joy bubbles up from his enjoyment of the many gifts we often receive with total unawareness.
Bob appreciates everything. He appreciates the smell of autumn, the feel of tweed, the taste of his pipe tobacco, and the sounds of New York. He’s fiercely independent and has been known for his wicked sense of humor.
While shopping with a female friend one day, he ambled over to the ladies’ hat counter, plunked a feathered design on his dark hair and posed in front of the mirror. A couple of elderly women rushed up to his companion and asked breathlessly, “Isn’t that Robert Smithdas? We heard him speak recently.” Told yes, they asked his companion, “Would you tell him we would like to talk to him?” Bob’s companion fulfilled their wish. To her chagrin, Dr. Smithdas whipped off the black feathered hat, raced to the escalator and was on his way up in a heartbeat! Forced to follow him, grabbed his hand and signed, “Didn’t you understand me? Those ladies wanted to talk to you.” He grinned and signed back, ‘I know.” He turned and waved cheerfully at the ladies below. They were thrilled.
Bob could not see or hear the women . . . or his companion who spoke to him by signing in his hand or writing letters on his back. Dr. Smithdas became deaf and blind at the age of four. “My mother was told I would never speak again, but she wouldn’t accept that,” he said some years later. “She taught me how to make signs in her hand so I could feel that and eventually I ‘talked back’ to her.”
As a bachelor, one of Dr.Smithdas’ favorite ways to entertain a date was to take her dancing. Today, Dr. Smithdas, 82, and his lovely wife Michelle live in Port Washington, New York. Some of Dr. Smithdas’ publications include “Shared Beauty”, “Life at My Fingertips” and “City of the Heart.”
Meditation for the Day
“Appreciate the moment.” Isamu Noguchi
Action for the Day
Today and all my days, I will grab hold of the good things in my world and revel in them as gifts sent my way by a benevolent power. I can see the world as a generous welcome gift or a mean tough one. I choose the former attitude.
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