Arthur Ashe Replied



There are times in some people's lives when it seems like they were "dealt a bad hand." Why is it that sometimes people face unforeseeable disease (Ebola, Hiv/Aids, ect), pain and death?

We sometimes ask... why do bad things happen to good people? Why is it that a horrible and deadly sickness can strike a person while others live long and healthy lives?

Simply put... why do bad things happen?

I recently read this following short illustration on positive thinking. In that I think answers this question in a simple way, when this famous athlete, who was dying of a horrible disease himself, answered this question in a very simple way...

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease?" To this Arthur Ashe replied:

"The world over - 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?' And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?'

"Happiness keeps you Sweet... Trials keep you Strong... Sorrow keeps you Human."


Other people. Especially what others experience or how they feel. I have no idea what it's like to be from another country, or another culture, skin colour, gender, or sexual orientation. I've never been bullied or faced discrimination, because of what I look like on the outside. So who am I--are any of us--to condemn someone when we don't know what they've experienced?

What I do know, however, is COMPASSION. And I try to embrace and celebrate my differences from someone else's. I just hope to continue to grow, learn, and experience as much as I can so that one day I will understand.

Because the thing that I'm most sure of in this world is the capacity of my heart. I don't think it'll ever run out of room for love and passion. In fact, I think it's the opposite... The more I let in, the more I'm able to let in.

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