Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Week 12: Meaningful People

This is a tough topic for me, because I feel like I've talked about the meaningful people in my life multiple times on the blog, and I hate for you all to get bored reading about them!  You can read about the first round of the blog challenge here.  You can read a little bit more here.  Finally, you can read even more about them here.

You'll probably notice a common thread.  Each of the posts refers to the same two people in some way, shape, or form.  And you can probably guess that I'm going to write about those same two people now.  That's how meaningful they are to me.

(I apologize if I repeat any information!)

E and MJ.  Amazing women that I have walking the path of life with me.  I used to see MJ every week, then every other week, and now, usually, our visits are only once a month.  That doesn't mean we don't email as needed between visits as she makes sure I'm working toward nutritional balance.  Cause we do.  Sometimes, well...... sometimes I email a lot.  But MJ is ok with that.  She knows what I need to hear.  She knows when I need reassurance, or just a little reminder.  She knows when I need an extra hug, and when a high five will do.  She's six feet of awesomeness and she is one of the two people in this world who knows some of my darkest secrets, yet, still thinks I'm an ok person.

E.  How can I describe E?  I don't know.  Role model wouldn't cut it.  She's more than that.  Mentor?  Guide?  All of the above?  I don't know.  This woman listens to me endlessly banter on, and somehow, finds a way to make sense of it all.  That's when my work begins, cause while E might be able to make sense of the messiness in my world, I'm the one that has to clean it up.  E will hold the flashlight for me, to make the task a little less painful, but I have to walk through the mess, where a life that is a little more peaceful waits, and so does E.  Always.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Starfish

One of my favorite stories is that of the Starfish.  It was introduced to me during my first year teaching, and while I didn't heed the message for the first few years..... I finally, over the past two years or so, realized that while I might not be able to "save" all my students, each one that I do connect with, that I do help see their own spark...... every little bit counts.......

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.

She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”

The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.

--Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Week 7: Words that Give Me Meaning

I love, love, love this topic!  You may have been able to tell, as last time around this topic had, oh....... nine entries!

Anyway, right now there is yet another Katy Perry song that I LOVE.  It reminds me of a song I posted a while ago by Sara Bareillis.  They both have such an uplifting message, and both songs make me smile when I hear even the first few bars on the radio.

Katy Perry: Roar

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready 'cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

[Chorus]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar

Now I’m floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero

You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (HEY!)
Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

[Chorus]
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...

Ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar, ro-oar

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You'll hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar...

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Rent-a-Family?

The holiday season can be rough, really, really rough for those with family issues.  Things can be equally as rough, if not rougher, for those without family issues due to the fact that they don't have family.

For some, that's no biggie.  Family free = problem free.  Sorta.

For others, especially younger people, college age-ish, being without a family around this season can be sad, lonely, and really, really depressing.  Especially those at university, surrounded by people talking about family and holidays and fleeing campus for the holiday break.

Jackie, tried to rent a family and got SO much more.......
Meet Jackie.  Jackie is a college student at William Jessup University in Sacramento, California.  Now, I don't know Jackie personally, though I do believe I'd like her.  She decided to make a change this year.  Instead of the usual, miserable December (despite eleven rocking months) she took action.

She posted an ad on Craigslist, looking to rent parents for a few hours to enjoy some holiday time.  Yes, you read that right.  She put an ad on Craigslist.  Ballsy?  Maybe.  Brave?  Totally.  Inspired?  Oh yes.........

Best part?  Not only did she find a family for the holidays, she was able to connect others who responded to her ad (both parents looking to help, and other students in positions similar to Jackie's,) find some company, too.

I love pick-me-up stories like this..... and am so inspired by our future when reading about Jackie and those she's impacted.

Read the full story.  You won't regret it.
(Though you may shed a few tears amid the smiles........)

Friday, November 8, 2013

Topic of Conversation?

I had the strangest, yet incredibly inspiring conversation with my students today.

Oddly enough, the conversation topic?  Eczema.

I suffer from eczema, which takes up residence on my face and scalp.  I can hide it pretty well sometimes, but other times, like now, with the seasons changing, it is in a major flare up. 

And I can't hide it.  No matter how hard I try.

So today, as I sat in front of 25 pairs of eyes, and I had white blotches all over my face.... I decided to be honest with them, and head off any odd stares or questions.

"Do I have white stuff all over my face?" I asked them.  They all nodded, rather solemnly, at that.  "I have eczema, which means spots of my skin get all itchy and flaky sometimes.  Today is one of those times.  I know it looks funny, sort of like a clown...." (more nods, and a few giggles,) "but if I'm not careful, it really starts to hurt!  And this morning, I was in such a hurry to get to school, I forgot to put my cream on.  So I put it on just now, and that's what all the white splotches are."

Silence.  I was a little worried.  I've never been that blatant about my eczema before, with anyone (except my treatment team, of course)  And here I was, explaining it to a bunch of 8-9-10 year olds.

A small miracle happened that really made my heart leap just a little bit.  One by one, students started sharing their experiences with eczema.  Some have it themselves, and as one child said "In the winter, I have to put TWO layers of cream all over my body in the morning!"  While another chirped up "My sister has it all over her belly and back, I rub the lotion on for her sometimes."  And another, "I have it all over my hands and arms, and in the winter, it gets so bad it sometimes bleeds!" 

The stories kept coming.  And no one said yuck or gross or eww or anything.  Even when several kids chimed in that they too, experience cracking skin and bleeding when it gets bad.

No one flinched.

For some reason, it felt like a very important conversation to me.  I grew up so ashamed of all my "issues"..... I don't know why, it might have been one that rolled off their backs never to be thought of again..... but deep down, I'm hoping that it showed the kids that sometimes, the things we might not like about our bodies, aren't as bad as we think they are, because we're not alone in our struggles.......

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Musical Message

I heard this song for the first time last week.  
What a message......... 
I know I need to hear it.  
A lot. 


You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there,
Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy
Fallen for the fear
And done some disappearing,
Bow down to the mighty
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

And since your history of silence
Won’t do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty
Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
See you be brave

I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you


Friday, July 5, 2013

Day 5: Bloggy-Love

Hmmm..... I'm not a fan of these "pick one" prompts!  There are too many choices out there, and in this case, too many bloggy buddies that deserve a shout out!  I've narrowed it down to three.  And might have to follow up to include a few more....!

Tayla Anne over at She'll Be Free has such a gentle spirit that overflows with kindness and compassion.  I don't even remember how we "met" but I'm a big fan of her and love the bits of wisdom she posts on twitter and Facebook.  I also find a lot of comfort in her series Voices of Ed as reading others' journeys helps remind me that I'm not alone in my own.  Tayla has been through the roller coaster of life and continues to share herself with us, her readers.

Tamara over at Faith and Substance has a rare gift - she gets my sense of humor!  She has a few different weekly posts that are just awesome, including Friday Funnies, which are my favorite!  Both Tamara and I love books, love cats, and when I'm having a crabby day, I pop over to her site or her Facebook page cause I know that I'll find a smile there!

Amanda over at Therapy Addict is how I found this blog challenge.  She's another one that I don't remember how we "met" but I've loved her blog since I found it.  She talks of her journey through life, which, as the title indicates, includes an affinity to therapy.  More than that, though, she's on a quest to become a therapist herself, and I love reading about the ups and downs in her journey.  She's got such a positive attitude on life, you can't help but feel hopeful when you read!

Day 5 Prompt: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member.

Friday, March 8, 2013

30 Day Recovery Challenge: Day 13

13.  What are some things - blogs, quotes, books, mantras, etc - that inspire you and keep you motivated?

Have you looked through this blog? 
You see all those quotes sprinkled generously through the posts? 
Yep. 
Those.
I wouldn't have posted them if they weren't inspiring to me.
And I don't mind posting a few of my favorites again.

(You can also check out this 
page full of em!)

As far as books go.... the one I still carry around with me is Life Without Ed (thanks to my Kindle app) as it was and still is a source of inspiration and a great reminder that recovery IS possible, and this work IS worth it.  I know I've spoken of Arielle's blog before, as it is another great resource - not only the videos, but also the links and other recovery (and life!) minded tidbits she writes about.

A third source of inspiration comes from music.  There is something about music that compliments my moods - both uplifting moods and more gloomy moods - that makes me feel settled.  Music speaks to me in so many ways..... there is something both comforting and inspiring about sinking into a favorite song....  Check out some of my favorites on the music page!


Sunday, March 3, 2013

30 Day Recovery Challenge: Day 8

8. Do you have a role model in recovery, or someone who inspires you? Talk about that person.

For better or worse.... I really don't have a role model in recovery.  There are two people that do inspire me, though I've never met them, as they are fully recovered.  Especially at the start of my recovery journey, I relied on both Jenni Schaefer and Arielle Lee Bair to help me through the pain of the day-to-day experiences in working toward recovery.  I've written about them before.  Jenni's books have been with me since the first week of recovery, thanks to the Kindle app for my phone.  Arielle's videos have helped me through many hard days and nights, as I listened to her words of wisdom.

As far is inspiring me?  For the most part, that comes from my team.  Part inspiration, part motivation, without them..... I shudder to think!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Keep on Keepin On...

I've had a very rough go of it the last few months, and I've played it off to be nothing that I can't handle.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  But the truth is, I've just been back in that place called denial.  And I forgot my paddles.

Time to come clean.  To admit that I'm struggling.  A lot.  To admit that yesterday's intake was a one time thing would be a lie.  Seems I've given myself permission to have one extremely low day nearly every week for the last two months, and I've brushed it off as no big deal.

Truth is, I do hope it's no big deal.  I do not want to fall into a full blown relapse, throwing away the months of hard work that I've done and that my team's done.  I've been stable for just over six months.  I don't want to throw it all away.

Serendipitously, a few resources passed through my twitter feed just this morning, that were so fitting for where I am right now, I wanted to share them.  Maybe they'll help someone else the way they helped me.

The first article has been floating around Facebook for a few days but I just stumbled upon it today.  So You're Feeling Too Fat To Be Photographed is a must read. So helpful as today I'm putting together a video of teaching clips for an assignment, and am not thrilled with what I see on screen. 

The second article, Beautiful Feathers reminded me that as I avoid letting my true talents show, as I try to hide from those that are unkind to me, the reality is that I'm hurting myself, not those who are trying to hurt me.  Leaning in, asking for help, and shining as brightly as you can... this is a post I'll be revisiting frequently.

Finally, and most serendipitous, is a post on the blog Thick Dumpling Skin entitled Relapse which I read this morning, shortly after reading an email from my nutritionist.  "So yesterday I struggled.  Today I move on.  Tomorrow, who knows.  I can’t promise to be perfect, but I promise to always be honest."  Lynn put into words a reminder that I most definitely needed to hear.



Monday, January 14, 2013

Something Wonderful

For all those out there that are
struggling,
suffering,
wishing life were easier,
kinder,
friendlier,
quieter......

For those of you fighting,
hiding,
ignoring,
avoiding,
wishing you weren't here,
hoping,
praying......

A reminder for everyone.
Including me.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Challenge 16, Part 1: Murat Suyur

Image by Murat Suyur
This week's Image Inspiration comes from photographer Murat Suyur, another multifaceted artist.  I chose this piece to start with because I'm a big baseball fan, and I found myself drawn to the image. 

On the one hand, balloons are a childhood whimsy, fun, light, and full of laughter.  On the other hand, a baseball is hard, fast, and sometimes, if hit the wrong way, it really stings.

Putting the two together creates a mental tug-of-war in my brain (nothing new, actually!) that leaves me wondering....

What's that?  You too are left wondering?

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Challenge 13, Part 2: Butterfly

Image by Julie D Waroquier
I love this picture..... the innocence, the softness, the possibility..... reminds me of the innocence of childhood.  Staring out the front window, watching the wind blow through the trees, waiting for dad to get home from work.  Wishing.... hoping....

I noticed, too, the somewhat "old fashioned" tone to the image.  The jumper the child is wearing, the shoes, they are all reminiscent of a time so far away.... when things were simpler.  When kids played in the yard with boxes and sticks, and their imagination took them places that kids today will never visit.  When family dinners were a daily event, and conversation took place face to face, instead of screen to screen.

Innocence.... possibility..... hope..... hope that the children of the future will be able to enjoy.....

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Challenge 12, Part 1: EMBRACE

I love this quote.  I found it somewhere, likely on pinterest, and it fits beautifully into this week's topic.  So often I shy away from myself, and even more so, from what could be considered "beautiful" about me.  I kind of like being different, but in the past, I've always seen it as a negative thing.  Like, I'm the one who is always sick.  I'm the one who is always having an allergic reaction to the smallest things.  I'm the one who brakes out in hives at the thought of eating specific foods.  I'm the one who likes a quiet night in, instead of a busy night out.  I'm different.  I just never thought that my differences could be worth embracing..... my "you"ness would be worth value to this world.....

It's nice to start thinking about the possibilities out there.... that maybe one day my differences won't make me feel bad about myself, instead, they'll be something I embrace as me and who I am.  And eventually, I might even find a way to be proud of those differences.... baby steps.... baby steps....


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

National Psychotherapy Day

Today is the first annual National Psychotherapy Day.  I am proud to share this information with the masses, because I have experienced the benefits of psychotherapy.

This movement is just beginning, and it's an important one.  Therapy should not be reserved for the just special situations.  Therapy should not be seen as a decadent indulgent for the middle class.  No, therapy should be seen as a lifesaving tool.  Cause that's what it is.

Therapy saved my life.  Not once, but twice.  Because at two different periods in my life, my world came crashing down around me and I was unable to dig out from beneath the rubble.  The first crash was as a young adult when I was facing some major life changes.  The therapist I worked with then was more of a short term experience from which I benefited greatly.  The second crash was more recent, and this time, I had a team to help support me, led by my incredible therapist.

See, therapy isn't just a place to go to dump your worries and whine about your life.  Therapy is a place to go if you are seeking change.  Therapy is a place to go if you want to make your life, and your world, better.  Therapy is not for the faint-hearted.  Therapy is not easy.  In fact, it's the hardest work I've ever done.  EVER.

But I'm becoming a better person because of it.  I'm on the road to liking myself, for the first time ever.  And for me, that's a huge step.  While my history may be littered with experiences that would shock many, because of therapy, I know I don't have to let the past define my present, or ruin my future.

To the most amazing team of professionals - my dietitian, my doctor, and of course, my therapist, I am forever grateful for your guidance!


Oh, and please do not think you can't afford therapy - there are people and places out there that will help you!

Read more about National Psychotherapy Day here and find them on Facebook!  Also check out this article written by one of the founders of National Psychotherapy day, as well as these articles written by those who support the day.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Challenge 10, Part 4: Inspiration


We've all had our challenges. We've all faced our demons. We've all been through things we wish we didn't have to experience. We've all had our share of sadness, of frustration, of fear.... And somehow, if you're reading the words I've written, it means we've all survived, too.

If we've managed to survive some of the challenges, chaos, and trauma of our life before, well then, we're likely going to find a way to survive whatever else comes our way. We do not need to be reduced to our problems. We can use our problems as ways to boost up ourselves as we overcome them.

Easy work?  Hell no. Worthwhile? Hell yes.



Challenge 10, Part 3: Inspiration


Failure. Not something that is often seen as an inspirational topic. But this quote proves otherwise. It's all about perspective, dear readers, perspective indeed.

You may have figured out that as much as I speak about perspective here, it is something I struggle with, especially when my anxiety is heightened and I am stressed.... which is more common these days than I'd prefer.

Thankfully, it often only takes a short conversation with one of my team members to shift my perspective and realize that a positive spin can be found in just about every situation, if only we remember to look.....


Friday, September 14, 2012

Challenge 10, Part 2: Inspiration


I love this quote.  Even when I'm crabby and sad and feeling like a complete mess of a person, forever destined to be alone, this quote can make me smile through my tears.

It has to be true.  I know it does.  Because I know that life delivers to us what we most want when we least expect it.  I really want to get married and have a family.  But there is no significant other in my world right now.  This quote reminds me that the perfect* person for me is out there somewhere... wondering what it would be like to meet me...

* Perfect really only exists in the dictionary, or at least that's what I believe.  However, in this case, perfect for me means someone that is full of imperfections, too, because I know I sure am!


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Challenge 10, Part 1: Inspiration

Such a fun topic!  As a quote collector, it's going to be tough to choose just the right ones this week.....

I am a big music junkie.  I have music playing whenever I can (thanks to streaming music sources!)  I will listen to pretty much anything, too.  I love this line from The Middle because it is one of those songs that no matter how many times I listen to it, I always smile.  I can always use the reminder that I don't need to try to be someone else, just being me is good enough.  Sometimes I'm better at listening than others, but hey, what can I say?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Challenge 3, Part 1: What is Self Empowerment?


Self Empowerment makes me think of that good old slogan "girl power!" that I grew up hearing over and over again.  Yes, I am a child of the 80's... and somewhat the 90's... and we always used to respond to "turtle power!" with "girl power!" as kids.  Empowerment is a good thing in my mind, it means that you are doing something (generally) positive for yourself because it's good to do, or you want to do it.  I remember the first time I took an English style riding lesson (I had been riding Western for a while) and how empowering it felt to be in the smaller saddle, and how strong I felt being able to quickly pick up the English style, quick enough to compete in an English style walk-trot class just three days after my first lesson!  I felt so strong and powerful on that pony's back, and I was so proud of myself for trying something new, competing so quickly, and I even won a fourth place ribbon!  (Yes, there were more than four riders in the class!)

I was reading a bit about equine therapy recently, and how many of the riders feel strong and powerful when they are astride the wonderfully patient horse... how for many riders, it's the only time they've ever experienced legs strong enough to carry them around, to feel what it's like to move on your own accord, instead of with a walker or wheelchair.  Talk about empowering!  Watching kids climb aboard for the first time?  Their grin?  Their happiness?  Empowering.  Equines really do empower, in so many ways.

Looking back, I felt most empowered during my equestrian days.  I loved the freedom being on horseback gave me, I loved the thrill of trying something new, because I felt secure on back of my horse or pony.  I had confidence in my ability as a rider, not because my coach told me I was good enough, but because I just knew in my heart, that on my horse, I could do anything.  I was involved with horses for almost 15 years, from the ground up, as the stable grunt and the show star.  Learning how to ride, how to do everything involved in taking care of a horse, I felt so good!  I didn't even mind mucking stalls, because I knew how important it was to my horse.  Things were just different around horses.  On the back of my trusted horse(s), I felt alive.  I felt empowered.