Inspiration Archives

By Gary Goldstein. Although I had been writing off and on since college, it wasn't until I published my first book, Jew in Jail, in 2004 that I really felt like I had accomplished something. The fact that I penned it while behind bars was increasingly instrumental in helping me regain my self-esteem and self-confidence, which had sunk to an all-time low when I was first arrested back in 1998. These days, I go around delivering motivational and inspirational speeches on recovery from addiction at drug treatment programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, or anywhere people are either still sick and…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. Here are six keys to achieving more love and happiness in your life. Know the phrase "If you can't say anything nice, don’t say anything at all"? Compliment people on their strengths and where they are succeeding in life. There are plenty of people who are telling someone that they have faults, but how many people are telling them something positive? Be optimistic. The realistic 0optimist is the person who knows that there will be trials to face, but that in the end we will somehow make it through. Remember how to be funny, even silly…

By Gail Lynne Goodwin. One of the things that I love most about Sir Richard Branson is that he's know for saying YES to most things. In fact, his board affectionately calls him Dr. Yes. But sometimes saying “Yes” isn’t easy, as it makes us step outside our comfort zone. About a week ago I received an invitation from my daughter to run a half-marathon late this year. I am not, nor have I ever been a runner. I doubt that I could run a mile right now if I tried to. I'll be 55 years old this October. I…

By Stanley Popovich. We all have to deal with fear and anxiety in our life. Our fears and anxieties can reduce our self-confidence and help prevent us from getting what we want. One of the ways to help manage your fears is to develop some goals and then focus on reaching those goals. Developing goals will help you manage your fears because goals help us not to focus on our fears. For instance, let’s say that you have to finish your report for work by the end of the week. If you focus on reaching that deadline, this will distract…

By Richard Hill. One of the oldest admonitions of ancient philosophers is to "know thyself." To know who you are today, you need to know where you came from. And that's part nature and part nurture. The DNA you inherited from biological ancestors is the nature. The people who powdered your butt and raised you to adulthood provided the nurturing. Your unique combination of nature and nurture is the hand you were dealt. Learn to accept it and don’t waste any more time wishing your life started out differently. It’s what you do from today on that’s most important. Find…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. Let go of what? You need to let go of old baggage - that is, the emotional things we carry around with us for days, weeks, months or even years. Has a co-worker said something in the last day or two that upset you? Did your parents say something five years ago that you can’t seem to let go of? Did your best friend say something last week that you can’t seem to forget? Most stuff we carry with us is negative and has to do with the pain another person caused us, but sometimes it…

Sometimes, life just gets you down. Whether you're a mom dealing with the drudgery of wiping noses and serving snacks; an artist who doesn't know quite where to turn; or someone trying to learn how to break free of depression, anxiety, or grief, it may be time to seek out an inspirational author for some wise advice. I've compiled a list of books that are sure to inspire you, and reviewed them so you can choose the one that's right for your individual situation. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are Ann Voskamp In this…

By Jessica Mast. During my life, I have found we learn the most through experience. When I was 25 years old, my husband of two and a half years passed away on his 28th birthday. After I experienced this unexpected tragedy in my life, I found I could either let it drag me down the path of despair or choose to learn from it and discover how it would be used for my future. I chose the latter. Here are some lessons I learned that hopefully will enable you to not only survive a trial but also find greater purpose…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. If you find yourself focusing on the unhappy moments and things in your life, the following suggestions may start you back on the path to a happier, more satisfying life. Clear out unhappiness. What obstacles to happiness are there in your life? Pay attention to what makes you feel unhappy. Are you especially fearful, sad or anxious? Find someone you can talk to about your feelings, a close friend or family member that you can confide in and whom you trust. Avoid things that make you unhappy. See less of unhappy, difficult people whenever possible. Talk…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. Having control over our destiny is something we strive for. There are many, many things we do to bring security, comfort and opportunity to our lives. We all work very hard to achieve the goals that we think will bring us the happiness we deserve. And we are determined to persevere. Innovation and creativity are something we pride ourselves on. Once we have met a goal, we set forth yet another, and another and another. This is not a bad thing… this is what it means to be in charge of our lives and our happiness, isn’t…

By Gail Lynne Goodwin. There's something about people in grocery stores that often inspire me. Today as I was waiting in the check out line, there was an older couple in front of me, who the cashier greeted as Ginny and Roy. As they neared their turn in line, I noticed that Ginny had a single Valentine's Day card, while Roy was proudly holding a single red rose. Ginny, well into her 80s handed the cashier the greeting card, then started counting out coins to pay for it. Roy waited and watched, smiling. Then, he handed the rose to the…

By Erin Steiner. Movies can be a fantastic source of inspiration when you are feeling low or out of ideas. Here are seven incredibly inspiring movies you should watch the next time you feel like you’re having trouble with your momentum. 1. Julie and Julia In the early years of the 21st century, Julie Powell was feeling down and uninspired and, on a kind of crazy whim, decided to cook her way all the way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child in a single year and blog about the experience (in real time as it was…

By Brad Morris. A Vision Quest is a turning point or right of passage for One to find themselves, their Spiritual direction or path in Life. And I tell yah, my life has been a non-stop, action packed, Vision Quest adventure these last 8+ years!  I have been on a conquest to face my fears, know Myself and share my ultimate gifts with the world. Through walking my path clumsily in the darkness of the unknown, I have slipped, fell, hurt myself and got up again and again. I have fallen to my knees in tears, praying for an answer,…