“The only thing that’s worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” –Helen Keller
Every once in a while life brings us a miracle.
And the video below shares one such special moment for a blind kitten, one who discovers the bliss that can come from play.
For Oskar, sound becomes sight, and triumph comes from following his inner eyes, eyes that are, in fact, his ears–a magic in the making.
I hope this brief video touches you as much as it moved and enlightened me.
Oskar follows the sound of bells and learns to see his world with new “eyes.”
As regular readers of my blog will know, I’m all about this kind of triumph over adversity. Having overcome a challenging childhood and fought an ongoing battle with bipolar disorder, I think Joseph Campbell describes best what it takes to triumph:
Follow your bliss, and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
May you, too, follow your bliss in the coming year and enjoy the triumph that can come from play, from the blind pursuit of a creative life, from keeping your inner eye on the ball that matters most–the only bell that rings true for you.
(Note: I will be doing more memoir posts after the holiday. If you are a new reader and you would like to look at some of my already-completed pieces about growing up with a mafia father, click here.)
(Another note: Please click here to read my friend Steve’s post about the FRCS Holocaust Stamp Project. Hope you will help support this worthy cause to fight intolerance and hate.)
He is just lovely – it’s so amazing that he doesn’t run into walls.
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Isn’t he darling? I assume he hears where the ringing stops (where it hits the wall) and intuitively knows to stop, accordingly.
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A wonderful sentiment to begin the new year with….here’s hoping your new year is filled with love!
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Thank you, Charles. You have been a mainstay in my blogging life this year, and for that I am hugely grateful!
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Thanks for sharing! I have an Aussie who was born completely deaf and blind in one eye. He is what is known as a “lethal white.” But I tell everyone not to tell him he’s deaf and blind.. because HE doesn’t know it! He’s trained with dozen of touch commands and some hand signals he can see… and passed his AKC CGC test. I call him my savior….
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What a wonderful testimony to our ability to thrive despite seemingly negative odds–human and animal. The universe is a place full of love and all things positive! Thanks for sharing this story!
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Beautiful! A wonderful reminder! And wonderful blessing – sentiment returned in full! Thanks also for the shout out 🙂
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It’s my pleasure, Steve. It’s the least I can do. I love this cause you are supporting. Happy New Year, my friend.
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What an adorable cat! Even though I’m so deathly allergic to kitties that seeing a picture of one is enough to make me sneeze, Oskar did not set off my allergies at all.
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Ah, Oskar is such a sweet boy. I almost said, “See what a sweet boy Oskar is,” but thought the irony might be too weird. So glad you didn’t sneeze!
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Oh Kathy, I love Oskar, he’s absolutely lovely! Thanks so much for this video.
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So glad to hear you enjoyed Oskar as much as I did. I nearly wept when my partner Sara shared this video with me.
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thank you for this. I blubbered through the whole thing.
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I’m with you, Sandy. This is one of the most moving things I’ve seen in ages.
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I am moved to tears, Kathy. I am quoting you on my blog today. This has really inspired me.
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Oh, thanks, Miranda. I’m so pleased this has moved you. Can’t wait to see what you write!
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Lucky Oskar, finding loving parents who accept him as he is. I’m sure he will have a long and happy life.
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Isn’t Oskar lucky to have parents like that? He’s so sweet. Thanks for watching, Deb.
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I’ve been a bit emotional these days, so I’m saving the video for a day when my spirit is a bit stronger, Kathy. I know I couldn’t handle it today…
This post has touched me beyond measure. That quote from Joseph Campbell is my all-time favourite piece of wisdom, so it’s lovely to hear it again. May 2012 keep opening doors for you on your creative journey, Kathy! 🙂
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I understand, Dana. The thing I will say, however, is that it’s really a video about a kind of triumph, and the tears have been tears of delight. Hang in there, my friend. When you are feeling better, I think you will enjoy it. Hugs to you—————
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Thank you for sharing this Kathy! What a neat video. I’m glad there are people like Oskar’s parents who are willing to work with a kitty (or puppy) to allow them to overcome issues instead of “not wanting to be bothered”.
I love the Helen Keller quote … so true! 🙂
Oh, and I’d bet that Oskar uses his whiskers as well as his ears to keep from running into walls. 😉
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Of course. How did I not think of that? I love cats–such amazing creatures. Thanks so much for watching the Oskar video.
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i cried. such a sweet little kitty cat.
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I know. Isn’t he precious? I could hardly stand it when Sara shared the video with me.
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I love this video. These are the kinds of things I keep in my “arsenal” of inspirational videos and blogs. When I come up against a tough challenge, I am reminded of people and animals who overcame far more daunting challenges than I have ever encountered. May we all meet each challenge of 2012 with such aplomb!
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Amen, Cecelia. I love to have these kinds of things around, as well. They help keep things in perspective for me. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Since I like both cats and triumph-over-tragedy stories, I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing, Kathryn!
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Isn’t Oskar cute? You are right, Mark, this video is sort of the perfect combination of lovable things–kitty cuteness and triump-over-adversity story.
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I just watched the video, Kathy. You’re right– it was sweet and inspirational and not a tear-jerker. 🙂 Thank you.
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Oh, Dana, I’m glad you watched it. I think some folks were just touched by the sweetness of the little guy–not saddened. Hope your week is going better.
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It is good to be inspired and to remember that following our bliss leads to–more bliss! Honoring Oskar for his inner vision–and you, too, Kathy.
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From bliss unto bliss–sounds like it should be some kind of Bible verse doesn’t it? But it’s true the pursuit of bliss leads to more of the same. Thanks for watching Kathy. Hope you’re staying warm, my friend.
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I wish all the same to you! And what a beautiful, beautifully expressed wish it is. Thank you for that. ♥
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Thanks, Deb. Glad you appreciated my little post about Oskar, and I hope you and your family have a blessed new year.
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Thank you for sharing this video Kathy. Animals do a great job of reminding us that “handicaps” are only limitations to be overcome.
Love that Joseph Campbell quote too!
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Ah, it doesn’t surprise me that this video would speak to you, Jackie. Thanks for taking a look and understanding how disabilities need not be that at all.
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Wonderful video, Kathy! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
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Glad you liked it, Marianne. Isn’t Oskar a sweetie? Happy New Year, my friend————
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Beautiful sentiment and a very thoughtful post. My question is how does one follow their Bliss. I have been told by some of the wisest people that I know to follow my bliss. I have been trying to figure out what my path is, what I should major in, where to go from here, etc… and I am obviously doing something wrong. =)
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I bet you are doing more right than you realize. Look at your blog. It suggests you have a direction–a great direction. I also think that often what we want and need changes, so what it means to follow our bliss does as well. Hang in there. You will figure it out!
Great to hear from you. Thanks SO much for stopping by again.
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So sweet! So inspiring! We would all do well to remember to appreciate the simple things in life.
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Thanks so much for reading, Terri. Isn’t it amazing how the little things can make such a difference?
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What a beautiful and inspiring kitty! Thank you for the reminder of the magic that exists in our world. 🙂
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Isn’t he sweet, Robin? So glad Oskar’s video spoke to you. Hope you are feeling better soon, my friend!
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Wonderful video – thanks for sharing it!
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So glad you enjoyed watching Oskar!
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Thanks for the encouragement! I need this message as I’m gearing up to reopen a project. You did such a remarkable job with your creative energies in 2011, Kathy. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
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Thanks, Rose. So glad you think I did well. Good luck with your project! What are you working on?
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I’ll be resurrecting a fictional widow I started writing about over 3 years ago… I’ll be writing about it soon.
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Can’t wait to hear about it! How fun!
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