I believe all things happen for a reason. Most of us have had unexplainable circumstances at some point in our life that have had underlying meanings.
One unexplainable event happened to me very soon after I got home from the hospital. I was in the hospital for seven months and lost all of my vision and ability to walk, due to an extremely critical medical condition that hit me without warning.
Very shortly after getting home from the hospital I received a telephone call as I laid in bed recovering. The voice on the telephone asked “ is this Bill Tipton?”. I said with some hesitation, “yes, it is” Then the person on the telephone asked, “are you blind?” I answered “who is this? They quickly responded I am John Doe, from a church I had never heard of. John Doe said a member of his congregation had found a Braille bible in one of their pews after a service. The Braille bible had my name and telephone number hand written in it. John Doe said they were calling me to return my Braille bible. I responded with astonishment, my name is Bill Tipton and I am completely blind. I told them I had never been to or heard of their church. I also told them I just got out of the hospital after a seven month stay and that was not my bible and I did not know Braille. I graciously thanked them for taking the time to call, as we both were in wonder of who the bible belonged to.
I felt sensations of bewilderment and amazement run throughout my body wondering with astonishment how this bible with my name and telephone number got into their church. I wondered why that apparently lost bible was left on a seat in the pew of that church. I thought this unexplainable event must have happened for some very special reason.
To this day I never found out how that bible got in that church. Every time I think about that Braille bible with my name and telephone number written in it I am in wonder. When I think about that telephone call those same sensations I had when I got that mysterious telephone call run through my body all over again.
Some incredible events in my belief that followed that mysterious telephone call.
• I returned to church in my wheelchair without any eyesight.
• Learned how to use a screen reader to allow me to use a PC and applications without eyesight.
• Learned grade one and grade two Braille.
• Learned how to walk again and left my wheelchair behind after many doctors from multiple hospitals said I had no hope of ever walking again.
• Joined three non-profits in my community to help others.
• Returned to work after a tremendous amount of re-skilling to enable me to contribute my very best to my employer as I help many customers and employees from all over the world.
I truly believe others have experienced unexplainable events that have taken them on similar paths as mine. If you have not, maybe we need to take life slower, so even the dimmest simplest of signals do not go unnoticed. Even if you do not fully understand the underlying meaning, your heart and attitude needs to be open to let your inner self accept the signals. Unexplainable events if associated with proper timing to your calculated planned events can catapult your success. Just a few examples of the planned events I talk about are learning from co-workers, friends, observing others, networking, work experience, formal education and doing volunteer work to help others.
With everyone attempting to accomplish more in less time in their personal and professional life, it is vital to pay attention to your unexplainable events as much as your planned events. This frame of mind is needed to take advantage of the catapult effect I described when you associate different types of learning opportunities together. This is even more critical during our unstable financial and economic situation our world is in today, when we are asked to do more with less, some are loosing jobs and their homes. In some parts of our world some are fighting for the bare necessities of life to enable them to live without enough food, access to medication to fight critical deadly diseases, lack of shelter and other very unfortunate situations. . If you do not take advantage of unexplainable events, it is like throwing away a free learning opportunity.
In the US we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this week. This Thanksgiving Day one of my many things I am grateful and thankful for is the ability to accept help from unexplainable sources with humbleness and gratitude. Live with an attitude of faith and expectance to help your dreams become a reality.
Has anyone else had a unexplainable event happen? If so, after the event happened did that event trigger any special learning’s to help you? Do you see any explanations from my mysterious telephone call? We all look forward to hearing from you.
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
I wonder if someone who knew about your situation left the Bible on purpose at the church so that you would receive it? It would've been a kind-hearted gift.
Posted by: Linda | December 02, 2008 at 07:11 AM
After giving birth to my daughter who was born with Down Syndrome, my focus on life and its events has changed. The church that I attend has recently started a special needs ministry. I have had the privilege of educating the person responsible with resources and events from my life experience. My child does not participate in this ministry. I have pushed for inclusion and succeeded; she participates in all activities in her age (3) group. Another success is that four families and I started a DS playgroup. There are at least 25 families on the list! We get together at least once a quarter. My favorite things about the playgroup are sharing information with the families and meeting one-on-one with new moms and their babies. One thing I have learned from this whole experience is that I am right where I am supposed to be.
Posted by: Regenia | December 02, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Hello Linda, Regenia and all,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts
Linda, I have been thinking the same thing about how that bible got into the church with my name and telephone number in it. I just wish I had enough strength and wits about me at the time to go to the church to check it out. I had many visitors in the hospital and many people all around the world I did not even know praying for me to live. Through those connections is one way the bible could have got in the church.
Regenia,it sounds like the work you are doing is truly needed. I can tell by your message you have the passion, caring and diligence for success in what you choose to do.
I’ll bet the families and their children are very happy you strived ahead and created the DS playgroup.
We all need help from others at times. We also need people to take the lead and push forward gently, passionately, and tactfully to create opportunities that do not exist.
Does our messages help anyone else think of what they are thankful for? Any questions? Any comments or other ideas to help us be thankful and accept help, even if from unknown sources?
Bill Tipton
Posted by: Bill Tipton | December 02, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Hi Bill,
I am thankful for this blog and for the opportunity to read your story. What an amazing story and to see how strong your faith is with all you've been through!!
I too am a believer and I believe it is important for people to come along side those that are struggling and lend a hand.
Michèle (I am hearing impaired and have a hearing ear dog, name Walker)
Posted by: Michele (Ottawa, ON, Canada) | March 14, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Hello Michele and all,
Michele, I am happy you and Walker found us. As you mentioned it is good to help others who might be struggling. I hope you visit us now that you found us and help where you can, and accept help as needed.
You might enjoy Collaborating Effectively With the Deaf.
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/disabilities/2006/11/collaborating_e.html
I am ready to accept unexplainable guidance. Does any one else have stories, or comments to share?
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/
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Posted by: Bill Tipton, Dialogue with Bill: Life and Work with a Disability | March 15, 2009 at 05:29 PM