Inspiration Archives

The power of persistence is huge. So many people have amazing ideas, goals, and desires, but their lack of persistence prevents them from bringing these things to fruition. Please don't let that be you. Whether your goals in life are about making a certain amount of money, promoting a just cause you care deeply about, or inspiring and helping others in your own special way, there is one thing that is absolutely, positively, certain: You will face challenges. There may even be times where it appears to you as though your goals and dreams just won't be reached... Keep in…

Comfort. As an adult, I made comfortable choices. And why shouldn't I? My childhood was a barrage of chores (I grew up on a farm) before the innocence of it all was stripped from me in the form of child abuse. The roller coaster that followed looked something like: fear, self-doubt, self-blame, depression, self-loathing, self-abuse, suicidal thoughts, recovery, more self-doubt, drugs... Once I was able to control my life, my goal was to be comfortable at all costs. I made choices that made me feel good, satisfied, and relaxed. "After all," I thought to myself, "Don't I deserve to be…

There's a little exercise I love to do, especially when I'm frustrated and wondering what the heck life is all about.... I close my eyes and imagine that I'm 95 years old now. I really feeeel it. My life has gone by and it's almost over; a photo album, some stories, memories, accomplishments, loved ones. I've gotten used to feeling achy and tired. I spend much of my day just getting up and around. My kids are all grown and aged themselves. Most of my lifetime friends are gone. My parents are dead. And here I am, looking back, thinking…

My mindset. Why not be a big fish in a big ocean? When I was nine my father's company had it's most profitable year to date. My father and his co-founders rewarded the entire team with a week's vacation to the Cayman Islands. My father and I spent every afternoon in the ocean swimming, snorkeling, and body surfing while all the other families on the trip lounged by the hotel pool. I couldn't for the life of me understand why you would choose to swim in a pool when you had the whole ocean right at your doorstep! This particular…

With gratitude for the style of the great Rudyard Kipling If you can see that food is beyond fuel, that it becomes every cell in your body, and by choosing strong building blocks, you discover how to recreate yourself; If you can believe that how you do something is an indication of how you do all things; that how you respond when a waiter brings the wrong order and whether you choose to treat them with respect plays out into every area of life; If you can conceive the cause in a matter; when you have a complaint, if instead…

Find a career that gives you meaning and a sense of fulfillment - do not just chase money. Many people choose a career because it brings the promise of a large paycheck and future riches. While money is important, it is not a guarantee of happiness. As a special education teacher, I do not make a large salary. I know many are struggling right now so it is hard to complain about my salary, but I think most would agree that teachers are paid only a moderate income. Most teachers get into the profession because they have a passion for…

Several years ago, I went to see a friend in the hospital. He had survived surgery removing a massive brain tumor, but would not survive long after my visit. I walked in and although he was unable to formulate his thoughts into many words, he smiled and held out his hand, clearly wanting to say something. "There is only love!" He pleaded for me to understand. "Only love. It's all there is. Only love. Only love!" Those were his last words to me. I will never forget the urgency with which he spoke. It was as though delivering this message…

Many people have told me I am an inspiration to them. That's because I've written and published two novels, a new career starting at age 85. "You've demonstrated that it's never too late to follow your dream," they say. Well, I'm glad they're inspired, perhaps motivated to breathe new life into their own abandoned dreams. Yes, think bold, dream big, climb the highest mountain you can. But be sensible. Do you want to spend your life in sullen frustration because you never ascended Everest? Stand on top of the old worn-down hill in your neighborhood and glory that you're there…

If you're brave enough to be alone for some length of time, away from the noise and hub bub of activities, friends, family and kids, with a sleeping dog at the foot of your bed, and your palms intentionally or not open, asking what is really going on right now in your life, and how it's all serving you - that's the time to listen. It is without doubt, one of the hardest things to do - to just stop the mind chatter and let thoughts come in, kind of like an air purifier does with air, only with the…