Liz Murray
Watching little Liz grow up in a tumultuous environment with parents battling drug addiction, Liz Murray’s Life turned stark. She found herself homeless and persistently absent from school on the streets of Brooklyn, where her family was falling apart. Against all odds, Murray embarked on a remarkable journey of self-transformation, achieving a high school diploma in just two years and eventually graduating from Harvard University. Her extraordinary story even inspired the creation of the movie “Homeless to Harvard.”
Reflecting on her life-altering moment, Murray, the author of the book “Breaking Night,” reveals that her transformation began after her mother’s passing. “I received a profound wake-up call,” she recalls. “At just 16, I confronted mortality head-on. My mother had dreams she never pursued. Her passing made it clear that you could spend your whole life saying you’ll do it later. That moment urged me to be passionate about my life.”
Murray speaks candidly about her relentless pursuit of education, attempting to re-enter high school at an age when most of her peers were heading off to college. Despite facing repeated rejections, she persevered. “I summoned every ounce of determination within me to try one more time,” she says. “I firmly believe in that philosophy.” To Murray, Life is about forging your path as you go along, and she aptly summarizes it: “You make the road by walking. You are defined by what you do next.”
Scott O’Grady
As a U.S. pilot conducting missions over Bosnia, Scott O’Grady faced a harrowing ordeal when his aircraft was shot down, leading to six days of survival and evading capture before American forces rescued him. Reflecting on this challenging time, O’Grady shares, “Throughout this trial, I found inspiration in the things most dear to my heart. My enduring strength came from my deep love for God, my unwavering affection for my family, and my profound devotion to my country. My entire combat experience was viewed through the lens of my faith.”
Remarkably, O’Grady, who has authored two books, including “Return With Honor,” now refers to this ordeal as “the most positive six days I ever had in my life.” He goes on to elaborate, stating, “The positivity of this experience can be solely attributed to my faith. It was a testament to the incredible strength it provided me during those trying moments.”
Elizabeth Smart
As a young teenager, Elizabeth Smart endured a horrifying abduction from her home, enduring captivity for most of a year. Raised in a devout religious family, the traumatic experiences she endured left her feeling profoundly “broken.” In her own words, she described how her world had swiftly transformed from day to night. However, despite unimaginable adversity, Smart resolutely chose to survive.
Today, Smart’s perspective on her harrowing ordeal is astonishing. She expresses gratitude for the profound lessons it has imparted, its unique perspective, and the empathy she has developed for fellow survivors. She shares, “I am grateful for what has happened to me because of what it has taught me, the perspective it has given me, and the empathy I have felt for other survivors. I am grateful that I can make a difference. I am grateful that I can speak out.”
Smart has chronicled her remarkable journey in the book “My Story” and now leads the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, a noble endeavor to prevent crimes against women and children while empowering victims. In her inspiring words, she urges others facing trials not to give up or surrender. Instead, she encourages them to forge ahead, as they may never realize their profound impact or the lives they can touch through their resilience and determination.
Scotty Smiley
Scotty Smiley’s Life took a dramatic turn when he lost his eyesight while serving in Iraq, a moment that would make him the U.S. Army’s first blind active-duty officer. His inspiring journey is chronicled in his book, “Hope Unseen.” Today, he shares the valuable lessons he gained from his experiences through everyday anecdotes, such as the time he lost while returning from the gym after hours.
Reflecting on his Life, Smiley remarks, “I realized that this is undeniably my reality. Yes, I had sought forgiveness. Yes, I had come to terms with my blindness. But life isn’t just about easy, underhand pitches you can effortlessly hit out of the park daily. Regardless, life brings its challenges, trials, and tribulations.”
Smiley candidly critiques his initial reaction to these challenges, which involved angrily throwing his walking stick and questioning, “Why me? Why this Life?” However, he acknowledges that these might not have been the right questions. Instead, he believes it should have been, “What am I going to do now, and how am I going to do it?” He recognizes the importance of seeking solutions and realizing he cannot navigate life’s obstacles alone.