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Inspiring Stories
 They Said It Couldn't Be Doneby Jason Gracia They said it couldn't be done. Many scientists agreed, it was physicallyimpossible. No one could ever run the mile in under four minutes. Noone ever has, they said, and no one ever will.Roger Bannister must have been absent that day in class, because onMay 6, 1954, he ran the mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. This feat ended the world's nine year quest for the four-minute mile.After Bannister's sub four-minute mile, others also added their namesto the list.Once someone proved they could accomplish the impossible, othersfound they could also. Could this be happening today? Many peopletoday can tell you this or that will never be done. They may even tellyou that your dream is impossible.Roger Bannister proved them all wrong, and so can you.Victory Against Cancerby Jason GraciaIn October of 1996, Lance Armstrong, America's greatest cyclist,received the news. He was a hero both here and abroad. He was calledthe 'Golden Boy of American Cycling,' and felt like nothing could stophim.Something did. He was unable to finish a race in 1996 due toexcruciating pain. He was rushed to the hospital to find the cause.
THE NEWS
 That month Lance underwent several tests, and the diagnosis wastesticular cancer. The cancer had spread to his lungs and his brain.After undergoing three immediate surgeries, his chances for recoverywere 50/50. The man who had everything, was now hoping to have onething, life.
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
With the support of his family and friends, and his unstoppableattitude, Armstrong started to improve. The chemotherapy started towork and he started to once again think about racing.
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Some thought he was crazy. He was just battling cancer, how could hethink about ever racing again?
TAKING ACTION
He did more than think about it. He did it. Armstrong began trainingonly five months after his diagnosis. He did not feel cursed, but lucky.He was given a new viewpoint on life. Armstrong realized how lucky of a man he really was.Now that he beat cancer, Lance Armstrong took on the next biggestchallenge, the Tour de Frances. Not only did he race well, he won.Some were unsure if he could survive cancer. He did. Some wereunsure if he could train again. He did. Few thought he could win again.He did. The Daffodil Principleby Jaroldeen Asplund EdwardsSeveral times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you mustcome and see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but itwas a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. Going andcoming took most of a day--and I honestly did not have a free day untilthe following week."I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her thirdcall. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so Idrove the length of Route 91, continued on I-215, and finally turnedonto Route 18 and began to drive up the mountain highway. The topsof the mountains were sheathed in clouds, and I had gone only a fewmiles when the road was completely covered with a wet, gray blanketof fog. I slowed to a crawl, my heart pounding. The road becomesnarrow and winding toward the top of the mountain.As I executed the hazardous turns at a snail's pace, I was praying toreach the turnoff at Blue Jay that would signify I had arrived. When Ifinally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted mygrandchildren I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisiblein the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you andthese darling children that I want to see bad enough to drive anotherinch!"
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My daughter smiled calmly," We drive in this all the time, Mother.""Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears--and then I'mheading for home!" I assured her."I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car. Themechanic just called, and they've finished repairing the engine," sheanswered."How far will we have to drive?" I asked cautiously."Just a few blocks," Carolyn said cheerfully.So we buckled up the children and went out to my car. "I'll drive,"Carolyn offered. "I'm used to this." We got into the car, and she begandriving.In a few minutes I was aware that we were back on the Rim-of-the-World Road heading over the top of the mountain. "Where are wegoing?" I exclaimed, distressed to be back on the mountain road in thefog. "This isn't the way to the garage!""We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils.""Carolyn," I said sternly, trying to sound as if I was still the mother andin charge of the situation, "please turn around. There is nothing in theworld that I want to see enough to drive on this road in this weather.""It's all right, Mother," She replied with a knowing grin. "I know whatI'm doing. I promise, you will never forgive yourself if you miss thisexperience."And so my sweet, darling daughter who had never given me a minuteof difficulty in her whole life was suddenly in charge -- and she waskidnapping me! I couldn't believe it. Like it or not, I was on the way tosee some ridiculous daffodils -- driving through the thick, gray silenceof the mist-wrapped mountaintop at what I thought was risk to life andlimb.I muttered all the way. After about twenty minutes we turned onto asmall gravel road that branched down into an oak-filled hollow on theside of the mountain. The Fog had lifted a little, but the sky waslowering, gray and heavy with clouds.We parked in a small parking lot adjoining a little stone church. Fromour vantage point at the top of the mountain we could see beyond us,
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