It's All About Perspective

Earlier this month, the famous child actress turned Ambassador Shirley Temple died. I have to admit that I did not know much about this famous public figure, apart from her child star days and of course the delicious pink drink. Little did I know that this woman was a powerful force of nature who didn't give up when her dream seemed to fade. She challenged life to the fullest and lived what can only be described as miraculously. 

"I don't like to do negatives. There are always pluses to things."
          ~ Shirley Temple Black

Shirley Temple grew up famous.  In 1935 - at the age of 7, she received a special Juvenile Academic Award for her contribution. At the age of 17 however, she got divorced and realized that she was no longer wanted as an actress now that she had grown up. Transition to adulthood was difficult to say the least. As it is for all of us. 

Shirley had three things that kept her going: her cheerful optimism, her incredible work ethic, and her winning personality. And boy did she come back to life with a bang. Her second marriage was an incredible partnership that lasted 55 years. But - more importantly - she became an Ambassador to Ghana and, later on, to Czechoslovakia. 

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She is the most inspiring role model one could hope for. Whether you are 12 and unsure about the teenage years to come, 14 and starting to think about college, or - like me - freaking out about the fact that you are turning 21. With her unwavering optimism, Shirley Temple contributed to the world in so many positive ways. Shirley Tmeple was a true leader, and true leaders never let that hope die. She made her obstacles into into opportunities.