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 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!

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!

A Good Read

I came upon an interesting article about the benefits of horseback riding for those who have special needs.  Having rode for years myself, I know this article is true.  This is a very interesting read for those who are interested.

Happy New Year, everyone!

http://www.hibbingmn.com/news/local/no-horsing-around/article_cd494e48-9220-11e4-8b59-0b33fde6ffdb.html

Inspirational Runner

I saw this video and was truly amazed.  It once again shows how determination can move the highest mountain and prove that individuals can do anything if they set their minds to achieve their goal.  I hope you enjoy the clip as much as I did!

A Dozen Pieces of Inspiration

Today, I happened upon this website and it resonated with me so that I thought I’d share it with you all.  I hope you check it out; it’s so worth it!

Have a good weekend, everyone.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/inspiration-from-walt-whitman-cardinal-sessions-rule-of-three-and-more/

Cheering Him On

I came upon this news clip today and thought it was totally inspiring.  Even though it is old, this shows what true determination brings if one has a mindset for success.  Once again, I thank you for your continuing support as I embark on my final semester!  Writing my blog has been one of the joys of my weekly routine for 2 ½ years and I’m truly grateful for your readership!  And now, the video!

P.S. I'm so sorry about the sound!  If you mute it, it's worth watching :)

Joy

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

~Helen Keller

Although writen almost a cenury ago, Helen Keller’s words ring true to this day.  As I continously grow in age, (and hopefully, widsom,) I find that a happy spirit repels difficulties and ensures a joyful life.  I’ve reconized the power to be happy lies within myself, not others.  Useful words to keep in mind on this beautiful spring day!

Continuing The Journey

This week, I re-discovered the powerful impact a message has if spoken in the right venue, at the right time.  Yesterday, a fellow college student/friend and I were asked to speak at an event named, “Quality vs. Quantity: Providing Wealthy Education in a Time of Abundant Information,” one of a weeklong series of events discussing how students’ lives can be enriched by the education process at Messiah College.  Our presentation focused on writing and disabilities and how, if given a chance, individuals with challenges can accomplish the same as their counterparts.  It was heartwarming to see the room filled with both interested and attentive staff and students.  As they listened, I saw a spark of interest, and then understanding on their faces.  A refreshing site to witness as I discover new and ever-changing ideas that challenge my perspective.

Thank you for joining me on my ever-interesting life’s journey!

Kelcie Can

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a good week.  I'm sooo glad it's Friday!  I thought I'd liven things up a bit by posting this awesome and very inspirational clip of a girl who has Cerebral Palsy.  It really goes to show determination leads to unchartered places.  I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend, and again, I welcome any comments.  Enjoy!

Signing Off

Hello All,

As you can probably figure out by my lack of blogging, I moved back to Messiah College Wednesday afternoon.  I previously took some time in the last few weeks to indulge myself in favorite summer spots.  I let these days just slide over me before the rat-race of college life begins once more.  It’s hard to believe another summer went by so quickly; and yet it always does, doesn’t it?

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit my all-time cherished spot—Gettysburg—with my friend, Angie.  After visiting the new Lincoln Museum, which by the way is marvelous, we took a tour of the National Cemetery.  As we made our journey through the rolling hills, I thought how the brevity of life haunts us all, and yet, it does not have to.  If we are a light in another’s life, that light never dies.  Although our physical bodies fade away, our presence always remains. 

I’m saying all of this to make a point.  The journey of my internship with United Cerebral Palsy has been so amazingly incredible, with the help of Lynda Bowen and the rest of UCP’s staff, that I’m still awestricken!  It is true, as my internship demonstrated; we can be a light in other’s eyes, if we try.  Though I’m sad to see it end, this internship taught me that valuable lesson. 

With great regret, I’m taking a respite from blogging two or three times a week: only for a short time, though.  Thank you all for religiously following me.  I plan to write a ritual Friday afternoon blog, but I can’t promise anything.  I’ll try not to disappoint you!  Thank you all for believing in me, for success stems out of belief.  Signing off for now :)

Hope

Yesterday, as my internship ended, I thought how I compared myself to Emily Dickinson in one of my early blog posts.  The poem on my blog fits me precisely.  Emily Dickinson never penned truer words.  Hope, I discovered, is a thing with wings because it takes you places you never been before.  For me, my internship is proof of that. 

I would like to extend a grateful thanks to the staff at UCP, especially Lynda Bowen, who entrusted me with the internship, and allowed me to be part of their voice for a short time.  As I prepare for another journey this fall, I know I will look upon my college career, and life in general, with a renewed lease.  Most importantly, during my time at UCP, I learned if you follow your dreams, there is no telling what will come.  Just have HOPE!

Growing Old

     Here is a short story I wrote a few years ago.  Again, it tells of a life experience I had.  It gives words to the meaning of life.  Read and enjoy!

Growing Old

           

            Ever since the Spring semester, I struggled with the pace of my life, particularly the rate that I was going in receiving college credits.  It seemed like it would be an eternity until I would be done with college and be a “success”, I thought.  The months of my summer vacation seemed to drag.  “I could be doing something about it, instead of doing absolutely nothing for three whole months,” I quibbled.

            One hot early July morning, Sal, who had been my step dad’s best friend, called my mom and asked if I wanted a vat of his homemade, very Italian spaghetti sauce, or “sorce”, as he called it.  I love his accent!  This had been a tradition ever since we had known Sal.  My heart soared because I love absolutely love his spaghetti sauce!  “I’ll bring all the makings.” he said on the phone.  “I’ll be there in a half hour, an hour, tops!” 

An hour later, Sal came tottering up the sidewalk, both hands full of plastic grocery bags.  As he came in the front door, he called out, “Okay, let’s get this party started!”

                   I instantly noticed how Sal had aged.  Lines were there on his face that weren’t there before and there was slowness in his walk.  He moved around in the kitchen with slow persistence. 

                   “Oh damn”, he suddenly said, “I forgot the oregano.  I always forget something anymore!”

                   My Mom piped up, “I’ll get it, Sal.  I need to go to the store anyway.”  She scurried out the door.  His irritation seemed to vanish instantly as he plopped on a kitchen chair.  He patted my knee and asked, “So how’s it going, Hope?”  His face showed genuine interest. 

                   “Okay, Sal,” I said, “still working on my degree.  Unfortunately, I have a way to go yet.  It drives me crazy—all of my friends graduated and have jobs and are out in the world making a living while I’m taking two classes a semester!”  I shook my head in disgust.

                   “Hope, you just saw what happened here.  I forgot the oregano.  No big deal.  People get so caught up in what they haven’t done.  Yes, I got upset about the oregano, but what is the use in getting all distressed about it,” he said, “and you are so very young.  Don’t be in such a hurry and get in a web of worries because maybe you will never get out of them.   You’ll turn old before you know it.  Enjoy life while you can. Be forever present in the moment and that will bring the greatest joy to your life”.

                   I looked at this man—this man who had lived for eighty odd years, been through wars, watched his beloved wife die from cancer, was forced to move out of his house because he was “too old” and was subject to his daughter-in-law’s every whim.  “He’s still happy,” I thought, “happy to just be”. 

                   Suddenly, I realized that Sal had a message for me.  I looked at this man with new eyes and a new heart, for he had reminded me of an invaluable lesson that day.  I repeated his words in my mind.  “Enjoy life while you can and be forever present in the moment and that will bring the greatest joy to your life”.  I silently thanked Sal for these words of wisdom as we sat down to a fabulous spaghetti meal.

Success

Today, I thought about the true definition of success and what it meant for me.  “Success”, according to the dictionary is, “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”.  That is true in a way, yet not.  To me, success partly means moving forward in life’s journey, (and it is certainly a journey), but that is not all it includes.  As I’ve matured, I have come to the realization success is defined by the difference a person makes in the lives of others.

As I venture on my internship, still another leg of my journey, I wonder if I will fit my own meaning of the word “success”.  Only time will tell.