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“Be Kind, for Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Great Battle.” –Plato

By Laura S. Baker

Real Estate Agent with First Weber Inc WI LIC #125698

December 30, 2011 01:53 AM

“Be Kind, for Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Great Battle.”

~ Plato

From alcohol and drug addiction to cancer, from depression to hyperactivity, from obesity to anorexia, we each have our battles that we fight day in and day out. Some we win and some we lose but, it's how we life that really matters.

Ben Breedlove fought a great battle inspiring others along the way. It wasn't until after he died on Christmas Eve that even those closest to him came to discover just how afraid he really was.

Would it make a difference in how we treated others in our day to day activities if we could truly see their inner battles? The struggles they face secretly and not so secretly? The battles they have to muster up everything inside of them to just face another day?

Fight a great fight in your own battles.

Be aware of the battles of others.

When you look in the mirror of what was your life, will you feel proud of who you were?

This blog was inspired by two people that have added so very much to my life, Amy Hahn and her amazing mom Marian Goetzinger. If you haven't subscribed to them yet you are missing out!

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Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Laura - I'm wiping the tears away - so sad and profound how this boy shares his scary story of battling a heart disease. It's a reminder that most of our "problems" aren't that bad. I just shared my battle with alcoholism and addiction this morning and thank God every day I don't live in hell anymore.

Thanks for sharing and I can say with honesty everyone I know has some sad issue right now that is plaguing them - lot of pain out there. Have a blessed New Year and thanks for keeping me in the Rain - I owe it all to you and your kind email. I never forget when someone does something extraordinary to reach out or help me. Think of all the gifts I would have missed if you hadn't emailed me way back when asking me where I was? Because you cared, I came back to the Rain and have been blogging ever since. You are a very special person Laura who so many of us have had the privilege to know and call our friend. Thanks for being you!

Dec 30, 2011 02:08 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Laura-I will have to come back to this and listen to the videos. I agree with Kristine. You are a very special lady and one I am happy to call friend. Have yourself a wonderful day.

Dec 30, 2011 02:47 AM

Marian Goetzinger

Pine Knoll Shores Realty 252-422-9000 - Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Crystal Coast Real Estate NC

Wow! Laura, I watched the videos, wiped the tears away, then scrolled on down to discover you had thought of me. What an honor. I'm glad Ben was able to peek into heaven before he actually went. I'm glad he was able to do the videos to share some of it with us and I'm so glad you posted it and that you are my friend.

I BELIEVE!

Dec 30, 2011 03:20 AM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I watched and I learned once again how fragile life is. . .

If you have doubts about an after life. . .these two videos make a very good case. .

I feel sad because of his family. . I imagined how proud they must feel about their son. .

Thank you for posting it

Dec 30, 2011 04:27 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Laura-I will have to come back to this and listen to the videos. I agree with Kristine. You are a very special lady and one I am happy to call friend. Have yourself a wonderful day.

Dec 30, 2011 04:31 AM

Amy Hahn

Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC

Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

I watched the video a couple hours ago, but couldn't comment right away. This boy's story made me sad for his parents (I can only imagine how difficult of a time this is for them), but I was also so proud of him. You truly never know what battles a person is facing, and I am so thankful that I have you to turn to when I face my own battles. You are a wonderful & dear friend Laura Baker, and I am honored and blessed to know you! I hope that you always know that the Hahn Family (and the Goetzingers) are always here for you too!

Thank you so much for your friendship and your warm, gentle soul!

Dec 30, 2011 07:07 AM

Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459

Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI

Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Laura

What a great message and inner battles that go to the limits inside us often are not observed

Dec 30, 2011 10:17 AM

John M. Scott

BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties - San Francisco, CA

Broker / Owner San Francisco Bay Area

Laura, hopefully Ben got to go back to that endless white room where he felt so incredibly happy and wonderful and start on another great adventure.

Dec 30, 2011 11:56 AM

Tammy Emineth

Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT

Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

Laura, I want you to know now that I hate you!!! ....... and I love you...... You have NO idea how this touched me. My husband Tim was born with a heart condition known as tetrology of Fallot in which he had 4 holes in his heart when he was born. The doctors repaired it and for 35 years ago it was ground breaking. He is the only child that year that lived with his condition. He wasn't suppose to live past 21... but did! We married at 22... at 32 he had a defibrillator installed JUST LIKE BEN.... he has annual heart check ups and has an enlarged heart. BUT he has beaten ALL odds. Doctors are amazed at his life. He is in the textbooks and medical diaries. When in 2008 he had the device installed, they stopped his heart to check for "shorts"... during that time, he felt THAT PEACE that Ben described... Unimaginable peace... like, everything will be ok. Its not a like a dream that would EVER go away. IT's as real today as it was then (just like Ben)... he heard music that was not of this earth... He heard something or felt something that said it was ok to go back.... he awoke with the shock with his hands raised to heaven..... That only solidified my faith.

I KNOW, HE KNOWS ... without a shadow of a doubt, there is something more, something peaceful and something unbelievably good, when we know, we trust and we put our faith in God.

I am a very blessed wife.. he is a blessed man.... and we have a great hope. Thank you for sharing... and completely breaking me tonight... once again :)

Dec 30, 2011 01:12 PM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Hey all,

Ben created many videos. Most of them were to inspire other teens. Check him out on You-Tube. He created the two videos shortly before his death. His parents found it after he passed on. I cannot imagine the fear he felt nor the pain his parents have gone through. I pray for their grief to be eased and for Ben to continue to be an inspiration that will help others.

Kristine, It seems to be a day for tears. You don't owe me anything little scorpian, it's just who we are and what we do. As you said yourself in today's post; If you want to feel good, do good things. It really does work!

Sharon, thank you. You have a heart of gold and it is I who have been blessed. Can't wait to hear how things go tomorrow.

Marian, I too have wiped away many a tear today. It's been a blessing to have gotten to know you and your family. Thank you! And I believe too!

Fernando, my heart breaks for this family and for this young man who was so very wise beyond his years. Life really is fragile and should never be taken for granted.

I know what you mean Amy, I haven't been able to comment back until now. You and your family have been such a blessing to me. I cannot thank you enough. Oh dang, I think I need some more Kleenex!

Tom, we can see a broken arm or a burn and will be empathetic to their pain but it is so different when we cannot actually see what ails someone. I hope this will help remind us to do just that. Take care of yourself my friend, we'll talk soon.

I have no doubt that he will John. Thank you!

Tammy, I hate you too ;-). Okay, you know I really love you too and you my friend broke me tonight! I've emptied more than one box of Kleenex! I pray for a long and blessed love & life together for you and your husband. What an amazing treasure the two of you have! And what a treasure is the friendship we have!

Dec 30, 2011 01:13 PM

Shar Sitter

Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN

Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I can't watch the video right now Laura but I will..... Blessings to you in the coming year. It's going to be a good year, I just know it! Most of all because you and I are finally going to meet face to face!!

Dec 30, 2011 03:32 PM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Oh what a wonderful comment to wake up to! It IS going to be a good year Shar Sitter, I have no doubt either! Especially because we are finally going to meet face to face!!! I hope you have an amazing New Years!!! Big WisCONsin hugs to ya der hon!!!

Dec 30, 2011 11:49 PM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

ha ha O just noticed I commented twice at two different times with the same comment. LOL Got to be the brain it is the first to go. LOL

P.S. I know what happened. When I made the first comment the submit button kept saying submit and I had to go to work so I copied it and was going to paste it later so I wouldn't have to write it again and apparently it actually submitted it even though I logged off. Guess the brain is still intact a little after all. LOL

Dec 31, 2011 12:08 AM

Michael Thornton

RadnorLake Video - Nashville, TN

Nashville Area - Photography & Videography

Good morning, Sunshine. I saw this the other day. What a great video and what a tragic loss for the family...

Dec 31, 2011 01:20 AM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

No biggy Sharon, I've done it too. :)

Good Evening Michael, This young man really did do a great job with all his videos but these two are most amazing. I cannot even imagine the heart ache this family is going through at this time.

Jan 01, 2012 03:20 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Seems to be a lot of pain out there, my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

Jan 02, 2012 11:43 PM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Mims, there has always been a lot of pain out there but lucky for us God wraps his healing arms around us and gives us the gift of healing. The true tragedy is those who get so lost in the pain they cannot enjoy the good. You and I are truly blessed! I wish you and your amazing family all the best in 2012! By the way, I do LOVE your new photo!!!

Jan 03, 2012 12:33 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Thank you! I appreciate that. Often wonder if it is as 'friendly,' so thanks for saying something. We HAVE been wrapped in the arms of Jesus :) Best place in the world to be :) I'm doing well . . . how bout you?

Jan 03, 2012 02:03 PM

Laura S. Baker

First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI

Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

I am doing well Mimi. I'm crazy busy between the staging clients, the listings and the buyers but I am good! We need to catch up very soon! I want to hear how you are doing. I miss everyone here, but I have got to stay on top of things with all my clients right now. E-mail me and we'll figure out a time to touch base. :)

Jan 03, 2012 03:21 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

I would say, PRAISE GOD that you have clients, and the rest will fall into place. One of the things that I always thought was the BEST and the WORST part of real estate is the feast or famine quality. Would always rather be in the feast mode :)

Jan 06, 2012 09:10 AM