Helen Keller in 1956

Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world. - Helen Keller

Picture life in a dark, silent box. This is the life of Helen Keller.

At only 19 months old, Keller contracted an illness that took her sight and hearing. Thus began her journey. At 7 years old, she had developed over 60 signs that she used around the house to communicate with her family. Her mother, inspired by another story of a deaf and blind girl, took her daughter through a series of connections until 20-year old Anne Sullivan was hired to teach Helen. Sullivan herself should be admired for her own hard work, as she was visually impaired when she began teaching Helen (as an adult, she had two glass eyes). If you’ve seen The Miracle Worker*, you know the iconic scene where Helen finally figures out that Anne is teaching her how to sign “water”, and she runs all over the house, exhausting Anne by demanding to know how to sign for other objects. This is a true event, and it happened about a month into her teaching.

And so began a life of continuing education and defying odds. Helen Keller became the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, which she did at Radcliffe College. She traveled worldwide raising funds for the blind, and she advocated strongly for people with disabilities. She helped found the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and traveled to over 39 countries. She published 12 books, even publishing her autobiography at age 22. She died in 1968, and was honored posthumously in a number of ways – and they continue to this day.

Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. - Helen Keller

I don’t know about you, but Helen Keller makes me feel like a wimp. She couldn’t see or hear, but she put out an autobiography when she was nearly 4 years younger than me. With less abilities than my own, she published 12 books, and it’s my dream just to publish one in my lifetime. She has inspired numerous people by not letting her disabilities slow her down.

We all do it, too. When we travel, we only like to go to places that speak our language so that we aren’t too uncomfortable. Helen couldn’t even read facial expressions in the countries she’s visited. Why are we stopping here? Without the ability to see or hear, Helen had to figure out a new way to communicate. Just because we don’t have the natural ability to do something doesn’t mean we can’t do it. Sometimes it means we need to find a different way to do it.

In today’s world, there are countless resources to help you get started on anything. If there’s something out there that you’ve always wanted to do, but always told yourself you couldn’t, just Google it – type in “get started with [insert activity here]“. Then start reading, watching videos, and learning about what it’s going to take. Then start doing it. Helen Keller couldn’t be stopped, and she was deaf and blind. What’s stopping you?

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“Boundary Breakers” is a series devoted to people who overcame seemingly impossible odds to do some great things. Read their stories and get inspired to do something worthwhile with your life.

There is just a crapload of good stuff in today’s Pile. Let’s dig in!

The (Practical) nerdy stuff

• The Hassle-Free Guide to Ripping Your Blu-Ray Collection [Lifehacker] – I’m a huge fan of digitizing DVDs and storing them on a secure, backed-up hard drive. I’m actually in the process of doing this again. But I had no firm instructions on backing up Blu-Rays. Here you go. This one went into my Evernote, and it should go into yours, too!
• Use Google Maps’ Starred Locations To Find Your Car [Lifehacker] – Most Blackberries, iPhones, Androids, and others have GPS capabilities now. This would work really well with my Blackberry Curve when parking in big, confusing parking lots. Slick idea!
• Why You’re Hooked On Email, and 5 Ways To Stop [Dumb Little Man] – One of the most glorious days of my life was when I stopped getting pop-up notifications of my e-mails. That’s just one way to cut down on this time-suck.
• How to Return Facebook’s Privacy Settings to What You Signed Up For [Lifehacker] – Facebook is getting very close to jumping the shark with me. How about you?
• The Realities Of Dropping Cable [The Simple Dollar] – It just makes me happy to see other people doing the same.
• The Set-It-and-Forget-It Guide to Never Missing Important Events [Lifehacker] – TV shows, movies, concerts, events, birthdays, money, cell phone minutes, job hunting… yeah, you need this.
• Clean Up Your Photo Collection With Free Tools [Lifehacker] – Geez, a lot of Lifehacker articles, as usual! I’m also a big proponent of digitizing your photo collection (again, to a backed-up, secure hard drive). Make it easier and more awesome with this guide.

A ridiculously giant pile of money articles

• A Cheapskate’s Advice on Affording Anything You Want [Lifehacker] – Personal finance takes thought. Not a whole lot of it, but some.
• Think the iPad Will Save You Money on Magazines? Think Again! [Wise Bread] – I held my first iPad the other day. It’s very nice and very slick. But it’s a toy. An incredibly expensive toy. Those that think it will save you money are fooling themselves.
• Three Passive Barriers I Use to Counter Consumerism [Get Rich Slowly] – A short video from Adam Baker demonstrates how to keep control of your spending mentally.
• 5 Ways To Save Money With Online Banks [Christian Personal Finance] – I’m a huge fan of my checking account with ING Direct, and this is a great list for those considering it.
• My Checklist to Financial Freedom [Christian Personal Finance] – Again, personal finance is not complicated. It just takes time and a little thought.
• Calling BS on 5% Rewards Advertising [Wise Bread] – This is a great, well-researched article that blows open the idea that you are getting 5% cash back on your credit card.
• How Large Should Your Emergency Fund Really Be? [Christian Personal Finance] – It’s an interesting debate, and there are plenty of arguments. However, what’s most important is that you have one.
• Looking The Wrong Way [The Simple Dollar] – An interesting view: we have a hard time fighting debt because we can’t actually see it or use it.
• Debt Consolidation and The "Orbital of Stupid" [The Simple Dollar] – Here’s what debt consolidators say: “Give us your money and we’ll manage it for you. You don’t have to change a thing.” But smart people know that the only way you will beat debt is by changing up your lifestyle and socking money at it. Knock off the consolidation. It doesn’t work.

Health: Physical, Mental, Social. It’s all important

• Anyone Can Spend Less for Food [Wise Bread] – I learned this on my own. Food, at its core, is not expensive. Processed food is what kills your budget.
• How to Improve Your Social Life: 6 of my Favorite Timeless Tips [The Positivity Blog] – I’m a firm believer that everyone should actively work on their social lives. Continue working hard to be a better friend.
• Newsflash: There Is No Magic Bullet [Dumb Little Man] – Easily my favorite post of the past couple of weeks. I struggle with this sometimes. It’s crucial to understand that any measure of success will take time and sacrifice. You’ll get there. So will I.
• How to Reboot Your Sleep Cycle and Get The Rest You Deserve [Lifehacker] – I’ve been caught countless times in webs of insomnia. This is a great article to get you back on track if you do the same.
• 10 Essential Kitchen Items for The Healthy Cook [Cheap Healthy Good] – Cooking healthy, like personal finance, doesn’t take a whole lot.
• Slow Down and Enjoy Relationships [Zen Habits] – Facebook, Twitter, texting, etc. It’s time we start savoring our relationships instead of passing them by en route to somewhere else.
• 6 Reasons Why People Don’t Change, and What to Do About That [The Positivity Blog] – You want to change, but “can’t”, right? Yes, you can. Try these.
• Is The News Making You Sick? [Simple. Organized. Life] – I hate the news. I never watch it. Crime rates are down and the economy is on the mend. All you see on the news are tragedies, murders, kidnappings, and doom. Turn it off and get your news on your own. You’re better off.
• The Cost of Negativity [The Simple Dollar] – You’re losing time and money by being a cranky old butt. Knock it off and find some solutions.
• 7 Must Read Life Lessons From Abraham Lincoln [Dumb Little Man] – Smart guy, that Abe.
• Discipline Outdoes IQ in the Long Run [Lifehacker] – You think you just got a bad break? Get down to business and quit whining, and you can go places.
• 4 Ways to Spend Time With Kids When You Have No Time [Stepcase Lifehack] – Another great parenting article for struggling parents in the modern age.
• 11 Reasons Why You Aren’t Getting Results [Stepcase Lifehack] – Feel like you’re spinning your wheels in the mud? There might be a reason why.
• What Is Manliness? [The Art of Manliness] – Hint: it’s not abs.
• Finding The Fire: Nine Things I Do To Make Each Day Great [The Simple Dollar] – You have more control over your day than you realize.
• Top 10 Ways To Upgrade Your Morning Routine [Lifehacker] – Are you getting up, limping along, sucking down coffee, and sitting at your computer? Get moving and jumpstart your day.
• 7 Harsh Truths That Will Improve Your Health [Dumb Little Man] – My favorite? “#1. Nobody is responsible for your health but you.”

That’s it! Enjoy – and feel free to share your favorites in the comments below!

Sometimes the most proactive thing we can do is to be happy, just to genuinely smile. Happiness, like unhappiness, is a proactive choice. There are things, like the weather, that our Circle of Influence will never include. But as proactive people, we can carry our own physical or social weather with us. We can be happy and accept those things that at present we can’t control, while we focus our efforts on the things that we can.

- Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

"I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship." – Pietro Aretino

Have you forgotten about your friends, or taken advantage of them? Do you go to them when you need help, but never otherwise?

Your assignment today, class, (first day of school!) is to show your friends that you appreciate them. Ask them how they're doing today. Drop them a line to say "hi". Do something cool that you know they will like. Share a few laughs. Sounds a little sensitive, doesn't it, men? Well, get over yourself. Friendship is one of the great joys of life, and true friendship is more than getting drunk together or watching the game together. Be a real friend today.

Posted via email from tommeitner’s posterous

You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however. - Richard Bach

What's holding you back? I wrote in this week's newsletter about pushing yourself to achieve your dreams in the faces of those who think you can't/shouldn't/won't. You have the power to make it happen. It's up to you.

Posted via email from tommeitner’s posterous

The acquisition of riches has been to many not an end to their miseries, but a change in them: The fault is not in the riches, but the disposition. - Seneca

"If only I'd win the lottery." "If only I'd get a raise." "If only I'd make that big sale."

Is money really your problem? I'm betting it's the attitude. I know people that fiercely deny that it's their attitude. They feel a little more money would make everything right. They're wrong. Start counting blessings and learn how to do more with what you've got. I guarantee you can find ways.

Posted via email from tommeitner’s posterous

"Never mistake activity for achievement." – John Wooden

Are you actually accomplishing something or just spinning your tires? When you are trying to achieve something, take note of what steps you are taking and if you are getting closer. If it's not pushing you forward, knock it off. Think about it.

Posted via email from tommeitner’s posterous

"Hope is the expectation that something outside of ourselves, something or someone external, is going to come to our rescue and we will live happily ever after." - Dr. Robert Anthony

One phrase I've heard over and over again in recent weeks is, "When I win the lottery…" It's a painful epidemic to watch in this country, as people simply sit around and wait for some type of miracle to change their lives, like winning the lottery or some sort of government bailout.

The truth is the only way your life is going to change is if you change it. It's great to dream and hope for a better future, but you need to be the one to put the steps in place. Take control of your life and set goals for yourself. Make the change, instead of waiting around for it.

Posted via email from tommeitner’s posterous