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Posts from the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Oct 13

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Be Brave

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

We often get defeated by the day to day, the small. Harsh words from a customer. Work filled with unending unreasonable deadlines. We get lost in transactions, lists and the sheer volume of tasks, losing our humanity in the process.

I started this blog to write more, to challenge my introverted self to open up and to search for the good in each day. We long to be lifted out of the small and to be cast into the moment, into the light. We have the power to shape our life and to encourage others along the way.

The video below was made by the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. The young lady in the beginning of the video and who has the courage to remove her wig in the middle is the daughter of my boss. She’s gone through a second round of treatment for a rare cancer. The bright beautiful smile you see in the video is who she is through and through, finding and giving joy despite the depth of her circumstances. The video was posted on October 7th on YouTube and now has 288,820 hits.

Take a few minutes, turn up the volume and count your blessings. Be brave.

Oct 5

10 Comments

Proof

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

The fact that our thoughts can weigh us down is proof that they can in turn lift us up. I’ve wavered this week between anticipation and worry about the marathon tomorrow. More anticipation and excitement, but worry has more weight and density.

“God enters by a private door into every individual.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“God enters by a private door into every individual.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Doubt and faith are two sides of the same coin. Doubt lingers and nags in worldly voices that never have the courage to show themselves. Faith is the seed in all of us, planted and firmly rooted in God, the Master Gardener. A quiet knowing that there’s something greater in each of us and embracing us. Needing no proof, faith lifts, pulls, pushes and hurls us forward into the unknown. Faith is depth and motion, hope and joy. Faith is letting go.

So whatever marathon you are going through right now, let faith hold your hand firmly and run you through each and every step. With faith, proof doesn’t come at the start line but shows up at the finish.

Sep 2

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Five Times, Three Lessons

“One is, we should never ever give up. Two is, you’re never too old to chase your dreams. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team.” – Diana Nyad

On her fifth try, 64-year-old Diana Nyad made history today as the first swimmer to swim without a shark cage from Cuba to Florida, 110 miles. What an awesome model on how to live and a reminder that we must keep trying and never let our circumstances defeat our spirit. A refreshing and deserving hero who stayed in the game, proving that our losses are only final if we give up. Victory is the last word for those who keep getting up when knocked down. Dreaming, no matter our age, combined with hard work wins the day.

So today is a celebration of resolve, resilience, persistence, drive, dreaming, focus, teamwork and living life like it’s the only one we have – because it is.

Aug 13

Carve

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” – Michelangelo

Venture past the obvious, dig deeper and look again, longer. See the light beaming through the clouds. See the blue behind the passing gray. See the angel in the marble. New eyes, new perspective. Our world is carved out by us, not our circumstances. Our life is a blank canvas that we paint, a sculpture we create. We are the author and artist of our life, unfolding a day at a time. Find your angel and set him free.

“Ah, Hope! what would life be, stripped of thy encouraging smiles, that teach us to look behind the dark clouds of today, for the golden beams that are to gild the morrow.” – Susanna Moodie

“Ah, Hope! what would life be, stripped of thy encouraging smiles, that teach us to look behind the dark clouds of today, for the golden beams that are to gild the morrow.” – Susanna Moodie

Jul 16

2 Comments

Rise and Shine

“Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts.” – Alan Cohen

Each day we must choose light over shadow, rising above to shine bright. There’s an ease that comes with letting go of our assumptions, frustrations and judgments. Surrender to joy each day. Rise and shine. And when you stumble and wilt, re-rise and re-shine. Defeat only comes when we stop trying.

“People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?”- Nhat Hanh

“People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?”- Nhat Hanh

Jul 10

7 Comments

Gaze

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir

As you enter this day, slow down to gaze, stay longer, listen with your heart. We miss the beauty of all that surrounds us when we pass by merely with a glance. The world changes through the eyes of gratitude, awe and brilliant color.

“There is that in the glance of a flower which may at times control the greatest of creation's braggart lords.” – John Muir

“There is that in the glance of a flower which may at times control the greatest of creation’s braggart lords.” – John Muir

Jul 7

6 Comments

Nap Investment

We need to diversify and balance what we do with our time investments –  work, play, people, rest, reflection. I can tell when I’m out of balance and it affects my outlook and attitude, stealing my days. Take time each day to rest, restore and renew your mind, spirit and body to stay in balance. Quiet the chatter in your mind and simply relax into the moment. Never underestimate the value of a good nap.

“Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.” - George MacDonald

“Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness.” – George MacDonald

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.” – Yogi Berra

“I usually take a two-hour nap from one to four.” – Yogi Berra

Jul 5

8 Comments

Defy Gravity

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward.” – Amelia Earhart

While we may not have control of our circumstances, we have the freedom to choose our attitude, thoughts, perspectives and actions. Defy gravity. Take flight.

“We'd never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.” - Emily Dickinson

“We’d never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.” – Emily Dickinson

Jun 30

2 Comments

What Will They Say?

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.” – Leonardo da Vinci

At a funeral service for a family friend, a few of family members reflected on a life well-lived filled with laughter, tears, inside jokes, little moments.  Loyal, generous, kind, gentle – principles lived out each day.

What will they say about what you left behind? Move through each day keenly aware of the brevity and gift of life and your capacity and duty to make a positive, loving and lasting impact while you’re here. What will they say? You’re writing it each day in your thoughts, words and actions.

Jun 26

8 Comments

Finishing Touch

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” – Thomas Merton

My parents drove up to Duluth early Saturday morning to surprise my brother at the finish of his first marathon. With great anticipation, we waited in the rain for him to turn the final corner. Cameras ready and cow bells ringing, Tina, Emily and I were cheering to get his attention and then pointed out Mom and Dad. John’s mouth dropped and he stopped in his tracks to embrace Dad. Emily brilliantly captured the moment, summing it all up.

Family, friends, love, unwavering support, being there in the rain to celebrate our wins, easing the heavy steps all make the long race possible and meaningful. The finishing touch to the journey well traveled, never alone.

“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato

“At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato

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