I saw the film. It’s a documentary and even though I was quite sleepy trying to get some sleep inside a large plane traveling to the United States, my interest was stirred by the life of this person. I forgot all about it until I came across this article written by Dr. Denis Waitley describing the same person. So let me share it with you.
When he was two years old, this adopted child of two college professors suddenly and inexplicably stopped growing, and his health started to fail. A team of doctors gave him six months to live after they diagnosed him as suffering from a rare disease that inhibits digestion and nutrients in food. Intravenous feedings of vitamins and supplements allowed him to regain his strength, but his growth was permanently stunted.
Confined to hospitals for long periods of time, until the age of nine, he quietly plotted his revenge on the kids who taunted him and called him “peanut.”
He recalled many years later that subconsciously “the whole experience made me want to succeed at something athletic.” Sometimes his sister, Susan, went ice skating at the local rink, and he would go along to watch. There he stood, a frail, under grown kid, with a feeding tube inserted through his nose and down into his stomach. When he wasn’t using it, one end of the tube was taped behind his ear.
One day, as he watched his sister whirl around the ice, he turned to his parents and said, “You know, I think I’d like to try ice skating.” Talk about two adults, looking at their life-threatened child, with glances that were beyond belief! Well, he tried it and he loved it, and he went at it with a passion. Here was something fun at which he could excel, where height and weight weren’t important.
During his medical checkup the following year, the doctors were startled to discover that he had actually started growing again. It was too late for him to reach normal size, but neither he nor his family cared. He was recovering and succeeding. He believed in his dream, although he had little else to hang on to.
None of the kids taunt him and tease him today. Instead, they all cheer and rush to get his autograph. He has just completed another dazzling performance on the world professional ice skating tour, with a long string of triple jumps, complicated maneuvers, and athletic moves, capped off with a racing front flip that brought him to a sudden stop inches from the audience. Although he has retired from professional skating, he remains a coach, mentor and commentator revered by everyone in winter sports.
At five feet three inches and 115 pounds of pure muscle and electrifying energy, former Olympic gold medal figure skating champion, Scott Hamilton stands as tall and as proud as any winner. Scott’s size didn’t limit his faith and reach. Don’t let doubts and critics limit yours. This doesn’t mean that you’ll close almost every sale or get promoted in record time. Scott Hamilton certainly didn’t hit every triple-axle jump he ever attempted, especially during the initial learning phase. Success in developing any skill requires a basic trust in your ability that should never be allowed to waver.
You can stand tall, no matter how small!
And Dr. Denis Waitley is right. No man has the right to feel inferior unless he or she grants permission according to Eleanor Roosevelt.
Look for the passion. Passion is the fire in your belly that would move you to excel in what you do. Maintain a life of discipline. Love God and do follow His Word and you will discover that you can stand tall no matter how small you and I are.
True success is working well in a job that God wants you to be.
Truly, I too, believe that every child born is enclosed a gift/talent from his Creator. It is our responsibility however to unwrap and discover it and make the most out of it. I am always reminded of life’s beauty with the posts you send me. Thank you.
My pleasure Marissa. Thank you for your kind words.
God bless you.
I think I am losing my passion… 🙁
Sir Francis,
Greetings of Love and Peace!
Thank you so much for the different stories and articles you’ve shared to your million of friends that follows and reads everything in your site. It’s not only that you’ve encourage us but you also gives us hope in our daily lives because of the inspiring stories you always shared.
I prayed that God will continue to bless you and that you may continue to walk with Him and inspires other people and touch their hearts that whatever they do, we do it in the glory of God. Sir, continue to be a blessings to everyone.
More power to you Sir, God bless you and your family.
Thanks so much Juvy. You are very kind.
God bless you.
Sir Francis,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. It gives chill to my spine reading and picturing out the scene from the skating rink when Scott Hamilton told his parents that he wanted to try skating and then the achievements he had after that.
Sir, you said that we have to find our passion; and it is true that by doing what we’re passionate about, we don’t feel the burden in what we’re doing. But what if the passion dies, how do you keep it alive? Can you give us some example on what you do to keep your passion alive?
Thank you so much, sir. God Bless!
We flame up our passion when we learn new things, work on new skills and most importantly, find a cause bigger than ourselves and work towards serving that cause.
I hope this helps.
This article is worth reading.
Thank you Francis.
Henry/BDO Level Up Leadership
Thanks Henry! Had a great time with you guys.
Sir Francis! thank you and finally found your website. What can you advice when your in the phase in your life you’re not sure what you really want and not sure what you would really like to pursue in the future.
Thanks for asking.
1. Pray for God’s wisdom.
2. Ask mature and wise people for advice.
3. Consult your loved ones and get their opinion.
4. Trust in God and work like crazy.
I hope this helps. God bless you.
Sir Francis,
Thank you so much for taking time to answer our questions even if you have a very busy schedule. We appreciate it very much.
God bless you, Sir. May you continue to inspire more souls.
A very motivating last lines! I enjoy reading your article. I was reminded of that passion and wisdom quote I received recently that says “If it’s just passion without wisdom, you’ll be rushing into things unprepared and ill timed. But wisdom without passion will make you slow when you need to be fast.”
Hi, Mr. Kong. How are you?
You may not know it but your daily AM program on 96.8 FM was my “lamp upon my feet”! You inspired me in ways that are too hard to describe much more elaborate here. Suffice it to say, I owe you a lot! I can only say thank you for the moment.
Now that I’m here in Canada, how I wish I could still hear your soothing voice and wonderful words of wisdom that I swear are GOD inspired. I know He is always by your side because He said, ” I will never leave you or forsake you”
Thank you so much,
Thank you so much Michael. I am planning to do podcast and have my ebooks featured soon but I would like to thank you for your kind encouragement.
Francis
presently meeting more than a hundred of persons a week. Thinking on how could I motivate them. Thanks for your articles. Those can really move lives. God bless you abundantly.
Sir Francis, Tnx for this wonderful blog.. very inspiring and motivating