Inspiration Archives

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. If you want to find a story of courage, then you should definitely read Chasing Miracles by John F. Crowley. In it, he talks about his family's tumultous journey with their children, two of which have a form of Muscular Dystrophy known as Pompe disease. These beautiful children, Megan and Patrick, are an inspiration. The book is divided into three parts: strength, hope, and joy. Chapter two is what helped me come up with the title of this blog, because the family’s motto is “Never, never, never quit.” Their story focuses on determination, faith, hope, love,…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. How can you overcome disappointment? Here are a few simple things that you can try: Get rid of the evidence. Even the greatest thinkers and influential people faced rejection and disappointment. For example, Walt Disney was fired from his first job and look what he did later in life! Einstein failed some of his early classes, and was told by teachers he wasn’t intelligent because he daydreamed too much. In fact, he was daydreaming about the theories he would later change the world with—but the naysayers in his life couldn’t see that! Stay in the mud…

By Thomas McGreevy. Someone very close to me started a business recently and it gave me the opportunity to witness a significant shift in her posture, a shift that I think we all could use. This person has always been a hard worker and never shied away from responsibility, but I don’t think she found much satisfaction in her work before she started the business.  I noticed how she would spend the small spaces of free time she had looking for ways to make her life better or more enjoyable.  This often took the form of browsing around in search…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. I want, I wish, only if... are some of the phrases we use to describe an ambiguous point in our future when we will have what we think we need to be happy. In the present moment, we are left feeling unfulfilled. We are living with a sense of longing for a brighter future. We are hoping to change our current situation so that we can finally, finally be happy. And what are the things we need to be happy? A relationship? A new home? A new car? A new job? New toys? There are many,…

By Kathi Casey. Today, when I was pondering my daily gratitudes, I began thinking about synchronistic events and how they arrive in our lives at just the right moment. Have you ever noticed that now and again someone comes along who truly inspires everyone around them and brings renewed enthusiasm into all of our lives? A friend of mine has done exactly that recently and I want to share her story with you. Feel free to share it with anyone else who may need a little bit of inspiration as well. Jill had been obese and diabetic for her entire…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. Focus on being positive. Stop yourself from saying things like "I'll never finish this project" or "I'll never have a good relationship." Replace these thoughts with hope and positive statements, to help good things come into your life. Try meditation. It will help you to better cope with the stressful things in your life. Avoid self-criticism if possible. If you find yourself being critical, stop and just take a moment to readjust your attitude. Treat yourself more kindly; it makes a big difference. Figure out what your calling in life is. If your work doesn’t make…

By B. Lynn Goodwin. "See the decal? It's a dog's paw print that says, 'Who rescued who?' Good question, don't you think?" Even though I was picking up his prescription, Mikko stayed home, as he usually does now. He had a small stroke about six months ago, and even the walk between my condo and garage is too much for him some days. He’s become an old man, a little crotchety and semi-immobile, and sometimes incontinent. He looks at me with sweet, loving eyes and he tells me he loves me and he wants to still be here. So he…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. Have you ever thought about the power of gratitude? We've discussed the idea of a gratitude journal before. What emotions are linked with happiness? Optimism, hopefulness, curiosity and gratitude are all emotions that go hand in hand with happiness, but are just a few of many others. One emotion that is most valuable is gratitude. The exercise of keeping a daily Gratitude Journal is a tool that builds happiness. Every day you can write down in your Gratitude Journal the things that you are grateful for. Journaling pushes you to notice the good things that happen…

By B. Lynn Goodwin. Yesterday I opened iTunes and clicked on my Garth Brooks file, so I could hear an old favorite, "Unanswered Prayers." "Just a little diversion," I told myself as I uploaded a book review to Story Circle Network while Garth strummed the opening chords. Just the other night a hometown football game My wife and I ran into my old high school flame And as I introduced them the past came back to me And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be… That started me thinking about the way things used to…

By Lisa Cypers Kamen. They're not kidding when they say laughter is contagious. Just think back to the last time you really laughed. No, a quiet chuckle under your breath doesn't qualify; I'm talking about real deep-in-the-gut laughter that makes you forget about all the lousy things going on in your life. The kind of laughter that for an instant makes everything seem simple and carefree. When was the last time you experienced a natural high like that? Laughter is the ultimate escape from the high-drama, success-driven world in which we live. Once you experience the overwhelming positive effects of…