July 20, 2009

On Friday I wrote about refusing to give up and pushing through obstacles if you really believe in a writing project. Over the weekend, I read a story in Joyce Meyer’s Never Give Up! book about how the Brooklyn Bridge came to be. It was news to me–and it was accomplished by two men (father and son) who believed in the dream when all others laughed at them.

Double Tragedy

But that wasn’t all. The father was killed when the project was only a few months underway. Three years later the son was injured, suffering brain damage that left him unable to walk, talk or even move–EXCEPT one finger. He worked out a system of communication with his wife using that one finger.

Over the course of eleven years, he used his one finger to give his wife instructions to pass along to the bridge builders. The bridge was finally completed in 1883. (If you’re interested, you can read the entire inspirational story and see more photos and historical facts about this amazing feat.)

Most of us haven’t encountered discouragement or setbacks of this magnitude in our writing lives. Let’s keep things in perspective. Usually we’re battling disappointment or trouble getting started or lack of family support. Next time you feel like quitting because the writing life has become difficult, remember the builders of the Brooklyn Bridge.

6 Comments »

1. 

   What an amazing story. Check out Christy Nolan’s books as well … talk about surmounting grave obstacles. It was Randy Pausch who said that brick walls are there to show you how much you want something (I’m paraphrasing badly here).

   Great post! Thanks.
   Vijaya

   Comment by Vijaya — July 20, 2009 @ 4:19 pm

2. 

   It DOES help put things in perspective for me, Vijaya. I have struggled through things, but never anything like this!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 20, 2009 @ 4:28 pm

3. 

   Great example!!! So important that when God tells us to do something, we push through what seems like impossible walls and be obedient and not give up.

   Love it!

   Comment by Krista Phillips — July 20, 2009 @ 9:21 pm

4. 

   Krista, thank you. I totally agree. If God intends for us to do something, nothing is impossible with Him. But we have to persevere!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 22, 2009 @ 6:50 am

5. 

   Kristi,

   I appreciated the paraphrasing quote Vijaya shared by Randy Pausch. I just had to find the quote. Here it is.”The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!” I found it at: http://belifesavvy.com/ I plan to write Randy’s quote on a 3×5 card and get it close at hand.

   Comment by Beth — July 25, 2009 @ 5:53 pm

6. 

   Thanks for the full quote, Beth! I like the idea that the brick walls are there to stop those OTHER people!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — July 26, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

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