Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas.  I hope all have a splendid holiday!

A Holiday Hello

Greetings and Happy Holidays Everyone!

I have just returned from “over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house I “ went!

I am replete…

…with great home cooking

…a sure sense that a respected elder can lighten any heart

…and with the knowledge that the Christmas Season holds family traditions in each family, no matter how different each may be.

Just knowing that kindness and respect are never out of season makes the Holiday Season even more special.

Therefore…

May Christmas be always with you…

in Joy that inspires,

in Peace that comforts,

and in the love of Jesus that blesses your heart.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel.  Matthew 1:23

A Santa Who Cares

I just came upon a heart-warming story that truly defines the essence of Christmas.  Kudos to this Santa, who clearly cares about those who visit him!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/12/03/mall-santa-goes-above-and-beyond-to-help-comfort-autistic-boy/21277916/?cps=gravity_4816_-1005838567800090431

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful day.

A Reminder of Thanksgiving

I came across an article that truly shows a person can go far if they use God-given talents to the best of their abilities.  I thought that this was a fitting article in light of the Thanksgiving season.  Especially at this time of year, I often think about my abilities and gifts and am truly grateful for them.  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get to spend it with loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jnu-student-with-cerebral-palsy-completes-phd/article7893750.ece

Memories

I came across this old clip of Mr. Rogers and I was struck by his kindness.  Mr. Rogers was my favorite TV personnel as a young child, and this video only re-establishes my feelings.  We all need a little kindness and understanding once in a while, and Mr. Rogers’ message reminds us all of this. 

Have a good weekend, all!

http://www.petzoid.com/mr-rogers-message/

Remembering

Please excuse this short blog.  A very dear friend of mine passed away this week, and we have to travel today.  I came across this Bile verse, which gave comfort and uplifted me in my time of sadness.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. John 14:3

Happy Halloween 2015

Happy Halloween.  I hope everyone has a spooooooky day tomorrow!

P.S  I won’t be blogging next week because I’ll be off on a late fall jaunt, but I’ll be back the next. 

Signing off for now!

Indian Summer

Hi All,

I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather we’re having.  I, in fact, am a little under the weather today, so this will be a short blog.  I want to thank everyone for continuing to read my posts.   Seeing the amount of readers who visit my site means more to me than you’ll never know.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

A New Approach

Attached is an article that made my heart sing.  It's a long time coming!  I hope you gain as much satisfaction from reading this as I did.

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/10/16/peppier-handicapped-symbol-gets-support-but-problems-remain/21250153/

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Dreaming the Impossible

The quote below caught my eye, so I decide to post it.  It is true, and so applies to my life and some of the individuals I hold so close to my heart. 

“The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” – Arthur C. Clarke

On a side note, I’d like to give a shout out to my friends, Mark and Laura, who are getting married this weekend.  Congrats to the both of you.  I’m so totally excited as you continue your journey together!  I can’t wait to see everyone this weekend.

P.S.  A very Happy Birthday to my Mom as well.  Love you!

Follow-Up Time

Hi All,

This is the follow-up from a previous blog.  These parent’s love and pride are so evident in their son’s abilities that it is truly heartwarming.   I hope you all enjoy!

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5W9ZBsOeHs

An Act of Kindness

I saw this inspiring article this evening, and decided to post it for this week’s blog.  As you know, I love stories that show the true essence of the human spirit!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/25/mcdonalds-employee-disabled-customer-eat-alone/72789400/

Have a great weekend, everyone!

P.S  Clicking on the link of this story doesn't seem to work, but if you copy and paste into your address box, it's worth the read.  Thanks!

End Your Friday With Some Comic Relief

Hey All,

I hope your week was as good as mine.  Fall, my favorite season, definitely made its appearance this week, so Happy Fall. 

I came upon video today that is both hilarious and thought provoking.  I think I posted one of his videos before, but Zach Anner is one of the funniest people I've seen for a long time.  So, hopefully, you'll enjoy him as much as I do.

Enjoy this beautiful weekend, all!

 http://aplus.com/a/zach-anner-cerebral-palsy-workout-video

All She Wants to Do is Dance

I saw this inspiring article this morning, and decided to post it for this week’s blog.  As you know, I love stories that show the true essence of the human spirit!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3029264/Teenager-cerebral-palsy-proves-disability-doesnt-define-inspirational-video.html

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Knowledge

Hey All,

I’m back from my foray to upstate New York, and what fun it was!  I’m glad to be back home, though, enjoying the last of the summer days. 

I was away for over two weeks at a Mennonite home, and I must admit, I came home with an entirely new perspective on life itself.  It’s not the daily things that are important—it’s the connections we make on a deeper, human level that count the most.  When everything is said and done, it is what we will remember all the rest of our lives.  I wanted to share my newly found wisdom with you today.

Have a great weekend, all!

Another Success Story

Hello All.   I decided to post this inspiring story on this week’s blog.  I’m continuously amazed at the testimonials of courage and strength I’ve read while having “A Journey of Hope.”   It has taught me that we are all successes, in our own unique and individual way.  I hope you enjoy reading about this courageous man’s venture into the entrepreneurial world.

http://themighty.com/2015/08/hes-nonverbal-has-limited-mobility-and-he-runs-his-own-successful-business/

On a side note, I wanted you to know that I won’t post for the next few weeks.  I’m off for an end-of-summer adventure.  Enjoy these last few days of the season.  It’ll end before we know it!

Signing off for now.

New Project

I’ve been busily working on a new project today, so I hope you will excuse this brief message.  I hope that you all had a fantastic week, and I’ll catch you at the same and place next Friday.

Ta-Ta for now!

Home Again Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

I had a wonderful time at the beach this week.  I want to put a shout-out to all my friends—old and new and my Mom—for making this all possible.   You’re truly the best!

More later.

Have a great weekend, all.

Headed to the Beach

I’m headed to the beach in two days.  Let the celebration begin!

Blessings

I’m posting something I wrote in one of my last English courses I had in college.  As I re-read this, it made me how blessed I really am.  I hope it inspires you as it did me today.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Everyday, but especially at this time of year, I consider all the blessings I have in my life.  Usually, the list includes a great Mom, wonderful friends and overall a super life, but there is one thing about Cerebral Palsy that affects some who have the condition.  Luckily, it is not one of the challenges I face.

In my English class, we were assigned to do an “Interest Group” project.  My partner and I decided to research the link between literacy and Cerebral Palsy.  Going into the project, I assumed everyone with Cerebral Palsy had the same literacy abilities I have or close.  Surprisingly, though, I came to the realization that this was not the case.  Sadly, literacy for some who have Cerebral Palsy is a dream, which never comes true.  This week, I feel especially lucky that I had grandparents who taught me the value of the written word and that they were there every step of the way through my early educational life.  One of my many wishes this month is for those who have Cerebral Palsy, or are generally disabled, to have a guiding force in their life, such as my grandparents were in mine, to show and share the power of the written word.  Hopefully, I will see that goal realized within my life span

An Inspiring Local Story

I just read an article I wanted to share with you.  Whether if you’re local or not, this is a very uplifting and inspiring piece.  It warms my heart to know that there are programs such as these in our area that make a difference in the lives of many. 

Here’s the link: http://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/newville/farm-offers-opportunities-for-individuals-with-intellectual-disabilities/article_11c30f26-6a45-5be5-9d13-6b8640169ba0.html. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Independence at its Zenith

Happy 4^th, everyone!  I hope you all have a marvelous weekend planned.  In celebration of this holiday, I decided to post this very inspiring girl who had a dream and accomplished it.  A great reminder of what Independence Day means to all.

Have a great weekend!

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/This+Room+Overcoming+disabilities+apartment+offers+independence+accessibility/11170099/story.html

Inspiration at its Finest

 Here is some inspiration for this Friday afternoon.  As many of you know, my math skills leave much to be desired, so I think this is totally awesome!  Once again it shows how far a person can go if they are persistent in their quest to succeed.

Have a wonderful weekend!

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/1825547/chinese-mathematics-whiz-cerebral-palsy-trumps-college-entrance

A Quote from the Past

Here is a quote from one of my most favorite women in history.  It reminds me that the passage of time does not change our human feelings and our connection to each other.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Have a good weekend, everyone!

A Little Help from our Friends

Below is a link to a very inspiring story, which I thought was worthy to post.  It caught my eye, and I hope you enjoy reading it, too!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

http://www.wcnc.com/story/life/2015/06/02/graduating-senior-gets-new-wheelchair-from-classmates/28382777/

A Little Determination Can Go a Long Way

This article so put me in mind of a younger version of myself.  It was so well written that I decided to post it on this week’s blog.  Also, it reminded me of how blessed I am and how very far I’ve come in my life.  As we all know, a little determination goes a long way if we are brave enough to use it.

Have a great weekend, everyone

http://www.pennlive.com/living/index.ssf/2015/06/sometimes_our_kids_teach_us_iv.html#incart_river

P.S The link does not seem to work, but if you copy and paste it into your text box, it should do the trick.  It's worth the read!

An Olive Garden Hostess

If you haven’t seen the following, this is a very inspiring story that warmed my heart and I hope it does yours, too.  Enjoy!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

http://journaltimes.com/whatsyourstory/olive-garden-hostess-doesn-t-let-disability-hold-her-back/article_2f7a0c93-f712-5c2e-b882-ec974dd2f00b.htm

Remembering

My dear grandparents are on mind, even more today because it would have been their 69^th anniversary.  So, I want to wish my beloved Gram and Pap Happy Anniversary.  I just know you’re celebrating in Heaven!

A Movie Theater with a Mission

If you haven’t seen the following, this is a very inspiring clip that warmed my heart, and I hope it does yours, too.  Enjoy!

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/making-a-difference/movie-theater-mission-employing-disabled-n313021

Our Deepest Fear

A friend posted the following quote on her Facebook page and I liked it so well that I decided to use it for this week’s blog.  It’s powerful beyond the words themselves.

Happy Mother’s Day!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to SHINE, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

Unapolgetic Self Portraits

I wanted to this article with you all.  It again shows what a little (or a lot) of persistance can get you.  I’m truly amazed at these paintings and the artist behind them.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/28/lucy-jones-self-portraits_n_7153684.html

A Powerful Reminder

I came upon this quote by Thomas Edison and thought it worthy for today’s blog.  These are words to remember when things do not go exactly our way.  

“The greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try one more time.”

~Thomas A. Edison

Again, thank you so much for following my blog.  I greatly appreciate it!

Birthday Blessings

I wanted to thank everyone who made my day so special last weekend.  As you may not know, I spent the weekend in upstate New York to celebrate my birthday.  I not only had a special day; my whole long weekend was perfect!  In fact, I think I’m still recovering from my experience.  However, someone gave me a card with a psalm, reminding me that I’m forever protected by His everlasting love.  When life gives me trials, I always think of this and it bolsters me to face challenges with resolve, yet I have the knowledge that I rest under His wing.  That’s the best gift, I think—to remember that.

Hide me

under the shadow

of thy wings.

            Psalm 17:8

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Going Away

I'm going away for a long weekend.  Oh, how I so enjoy graduated life!

Have a marvelous weekend, everyone.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Maya Angelou

Below is one of my ultimate favorite quotes from Maya Angelou.  It’s a “call to action” trumpet of words that I’m so fond of posting.  So, here it is.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

“What is a fear of living? It's being preeminently afraid of dying. It is not doing what you came here to do, out of timidity and spinelessness. The antidote is to take full responsibility for yourself - for the time you take up and the space you occupy. If you don't know what you're here to do, then just do some good.” 

Ocean Thoughts

Although it is snowing today, my thoughts seem to be drifting towards the warm, sunny sky and the crashing waves on the beach’s shore.  Wishful thinking, right?  However, as I thought of this, a familiar JFK quote popped into my brain and I knew it would make good blogging material.  And so, here it is…Wisdom from President Kennedy, so many years ago.

Enjoy the snow!

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.”

John F. Kennedy

Strong and Active Faith

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith."
Prepared for April 13, 1945

Even though President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote this about seventy years ago, it still speaks to every one of us today.  If we free ourselves of the doubts we have and proceed with unwavering strength, we can accomplish more than we ever dreamed possible.  I return to this quote time and time again whenever I need bolstered and thought this was fitting for today’s post.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

A Lesson of Success

Today, I read this quote and it uplifted my spirits somehow.  It reminded me that we have control of our own destiny and it is what we make of it.  I hope reading this has the same effect on you as it did me.

 “People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed. Similarly, when someone is failing, the tendency is to get on a downward spiral that can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Tony Robbins

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Inspiring in Every Way

This is a really inspiring story that in a way, reminds me of myself.  I hope you all enjoy!

http://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2015/02/24/frank-kineavy-cerebral-palsy-inspiring/23960347/

A Life-Changing Experience

Today, I found an interesting blog I felt compelled to post written by Caroline White.  I always find it intriguing to read something written by a parent who has a special needs child and lessons gleaned from the experience.  The author’s perspective about how she wishes that more adults would treat her son the way that children do is thought provoking.  I hope you find as much inspiration from reading this article as I did!  To see the world from a child’s eyes is a gift we adults certainly envy.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-ouch-31421239