::in a deep announcer voice:: Well, hello and good morning to all the readers of alan-kong.com! I’ve been given a second chance at life and am fully embracing it. Will you do the same when your second chance comes?
Second chances in life do not come by easily, especially if you really mess up your first chance. Those individuals who fall to drugs and crime who wind up in prison or homeless especially have it tough in trying to get a second chance. What are the odds of a convict or homeless individual finding a decent job and living fairly? Pretty slim to none. So rare that those who actually do beat the odds will probably get glorified into a Hollywood movie!
So here we have Ted Williams, the man with the Golden Voice (I wonder if he’s going to get that trademarked). Remarkable and truly touching story. Ted Williams, due to drugs, lost everything that he had and became homeless. So in order to earn money, he would use his gift of voice to impress anyone he encountered, with the hope that he’ll bump into the right person. Well, it surely didn’t have to be a big shot media executive because with the power of social media, all it takes is an ordinary folk to make a story such as this go viral. Ted Williams was given his second chance and with the use of his Golden Voice, he’s got a golden opportunity in front of him. Kudos and congratulations to him on his persistence and opportunity to embrace his second chance at life.
While the news stories online primarily concentrate on Ted Williams, it is equally important to give some recognition for the videographer who went out of his way to truly help make this go viral. Before the original youtube video was taken down (because big media companies believed they had the rights after he appeared on their shows), the youtube user really had motivating words for the viewers of the video. He stated that he saw this man with a talent, the ability to admit his past mistakes, and the persistence to have a second chance. He pleaded with the viewers of the video to make the video go viral so Ted Williams may lead a different lifestyle. Well, his hard work truly paid off as there were millions of hits on the video overnight. Once Ted started obtain his job offers, the youtube user ended with a statement similar to the following: If you see anybody that truly deserves a second chance, try to be that individual to help them. Don’t be scared or hesitant, just do, and hope for the best for that individual’s second chance.
Pretty remarkable. A stranger going out of his way to help another complete stranger. How often does that even happen nowadays? Not as often as it should. The youtube user practically gave Ted Williams life again. That sounds like one of the best rewards in life. Emerson stated it best:
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - that is to have succeeded.”
Helping others through rough patches in their lives in one of the most rewarding aspects of living. It can become hard and frustrating for the helper during the process, but imagine the individual living it. When the needed perseveres and you have helped play a part, whether it is acknowledged or not, you have played a significant role in making the individual a stronger person. And for that, yes, you have definitely succeeded in life.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the hectic and busy lives of our own that we forget to slow down and realize that life is not about just living our own, but to enlighten and brighten those of others, whether it be friends, family, or strangers. We all try to find happiness in our lives, but many times we fall short. We are just “okay” or “content”. The reason is because you are trying too hard to make yourself happy. Do good for anyone you encounter, whether a smaller feat such as donating your time to a charity or an incredible one like transforming a homeless person’s life, and there is a guarantee that you will find yourself happier.
There will be times when you may put forth your effort in giving someone a second chance at life and it just does not work out. This is not to say that you have failed, rather you still have succeeded in that you have that good and desire in you. Realize this, remain persistent, and keep putting forth the effort! Together, we have some smiles to put on faces and happiness to fill into the lives of others!
