Caring for Others

Caring for Others

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I truly love these commercials. Have you seen one recently?

Amy Butler

Amy Butler

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At Barnes and Noble the other night I ran across this book. It's Amy Butler's new book called Little Stitches for little ones and it is 100% absolutely adorable. In fact, it was so adorable it made me feel bad because I don't sew in any sense of the word. Her materials are indeed what make half the things so dang cute but she also has some great patterns for everyday things. Check it out the next time you're at a bookstore or just make the purchase online. If you sew and have skill and talent ta'boot then it's definitely worth a gander.

Olympic Hero

Olympic Hero

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I get so excited to watch the Olympics and see all the different athletes. They are truly amazing. I'm so exhausted that I only watch a few minutes a night before I fall asleep. The gold is the what every athlete looks for and all the glory goes to them, however there are those that try to compete and to finish. I saw this clip on youtube and felt overwhelming joy for this man. It takes so much courage to do what he does and I'm sure he is truly the best in his country. He deserves great credit and admiration instead of being mocked. It's definitely the "cool runnings" of swimming.

Video on the day.

Video on the day.

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There is tons of these videos about the "worlds strongest man". They are pretty much the same video but with different music. This video is worth watching if you haven't seen it. In preparing for my triathlon how could I not be inspired by this. How could I complain about anything anymore.

This is a longer version from the Today show but it gives a little background to the story. Hope you enjoy.....it might even bring a tear to your eye.

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I'm sure most of you have seen the video of the last lecture given by Randy Pausch at Carnegie Mellon University. The sad news is that he died two days ago.

Randy had a great message that he shared with the world. While most people haven't met him they feel the sadness and loss of another soul taken by cancer.

His message was great. One we all should take into heart. Randy was a brave man to take on such a positive attitude facing death. He definitely knew what was important.

The Last Lecture (a website dedicated to him and his message.)

Dancing with the universe

Dancing with the universe

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Have you guys seen this? It's my new favorite thing. My sister and law and I even danced to it in her living room to bring the universe closer to us. Try it...You might feel the power as well.

Rudy Garcia - Motivation athlete

Rudy Garcia - Motivation athlete

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I first learned about Rudy when I was in High School. From a young age he has overcome amazing obstacles. He grew up 20 miles from my home and I think of him when things get touch. Could I stay so positive if I were in the same situation? Following is a little about his life.

Rudy lives by a simple motto: A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon. He was born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and palate. His legs would not straighten from the knee and he was forced to crawl or push himself in a wheelchair. While other kids played outside, Rudy sat and suffered. He was an eager little boy trapped in an imperfect body.

At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never looked back.

The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life. When Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004 Paralympic Games. He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter IM, while shattering the world record for his class.

Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team. He’s completed numerous triathlons individually, and won several prestigious awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award and the Casey Martin Award from Nike. Through his example, Rudy has helped CAF raise more than $6 million to ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities he did.

Rudy is now a motivational speaker and truly is one of my heroes. He is happy, strives to meet his goals, and doesn't let the inconvenience of having no legs get him down. I used to keep his picture in my college apartment for inspiration and still think of him often. I love the thought that we can find our heroes just around the corner. Look for heroes in your life to inspire you.

More about Rudy......

Geography 101

Geography 101

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The older I become the truly less intelligent I am. I recently saw this video clip and wondered if my parents would have started sooner when I was young, if it would have slowed the process a little bit. Who knows but this did sure give me hope for future generations. I didn't even know there was a country named Djibouti (pronounced Jabootie for the people as ignorant as me.)

Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga

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My mom had the antidote "Laughter is the Best Medicine" on her desktop for years. Sometimes you hear things and we often take them for granted. However through the years as I've pondered how laughter has effected my life I realize how true and wise that saying is. When was the last time you laughed? Not a chuckle, a giggle but rather that down right belly laugh. Who do you laugh with? What things make you laugh? Why don't we laugh all the time?

I just ran across another quote today from Marie Osmond. She says. "If you're going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now." How true that is!!! If we can't laugh at ourselves, our situations, or anything else our lives are brought even lower then they truly are. If we learned to laugh everyday in would definitely lighten our lives and heal our hearts. Sometimes I think we just forget to laugh, to see the humor in our everyday lives. We need to remember as Laughter truly is the best medicine.

The following clip is an info on a new fad called Laughter Yoga. It's an informative piece but I watched a full Yoga class on the Internet and it really did make me laugh. Laughter truly is contagious. It lightens are moods and our hearts. Did I already say that? Maybe I'm just stressing the point.

Wind

Wind

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I totally have been slacking this week on everything. I have though been in touch with an agent about writing so in that one sense, I've been productive. This morning while walking and listening to Oprah's Career building podcast I heard something that resonated with me. A woman was talking and she said how she just feels like the wind has been taken out of her sails. A cliche yes, but that could 100% describe me this last week. I basically was not blowing in the right direction and maybe just standing still.

There is always wind. Sometimes it's just a gentle breeze and other times torrential and ferocious. I don't sail but I know you always have to work with the wind instead of against it. Sometimes we fight so hard against it that when it's no longer blowing we still have no energy. We need to get out of the rut we are in...and if you're not in one now you've either been in one or will so in the future. This life has many demands on us and I'm going to explore what it takes to get myself out of the one I'm in. I'm sure it will take me a little bit but I hope you'll be patient, give me ideas and follow me on my adventure so the wind will be the rush and exhilaration I know that it can be.

Daffodil Days

Daffodil Days

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It is officially spring and I am excited for that! I love the change in seasons and love to feel the warm sun and to watch the flowers start to pop. Especially when I'm in a place that awaits spring in March when the first day announces it's here and the signs of spring are already all around.

I grew up in small mountain town in Southern California. They have recently started celebrating spring with "daffodil days". With my dad a local activist in the community he buys bulbs by the flat to plant every fall and more and more daffodils and flowers bloom every year around the town. It's fun to see how and where they bloom. Different people plant flowers in the craziest places. Soon I hope the town will look much like the lady up the street who planted daffodils at her house until it became a local attraction. Because of her diligence in doing a seasonal chore many people appreciate the beauty that she helped create.

In the past few years a book was published about her life and her daffodil philosophy. I love the joy and beauty that flowers bring and this book is a great antidote for motivation or a plain old smile. Below is the book review off of amazon from her publisher (Shadow Mountain) along with some photos I took for you all to see.

Every year, high in the San Bernardino mountain range of Southern California, five acres of beautiful daffodils burst into bloom. Amazingly, this special spot, known as "The Daffodil Garden," was planted by one person, one bulb at a time, over a period of thirty-five years. The story of "The Daffodil Principle" originally appeared nearly ten years ago in Jaroldeen Edwards' book Celebration! Since that time, the story has gained international popularity and has been retold innumerable times. Available for the first time as an illustrated gift book, with artwork by Anne Marie Oborn, this story will touch hearts with its simple message: Start today, one step at a time, to change your world.

The Power of One

The Power of One

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So my freshman year in college I watched the Power of One. With my new found Independence and collegate ideals I had adopted it as my favorite movie. It inspired me and I played the soundtrack every Sunday for two years. When other people hadn't heard of this movie I told them to rush out and rent it. Recently, I had decided to re-watch the movie. After all, it has been more years than I would like to think. I went to BlockBuster and low and behold......they didn't have it. The kid with huge gages in his ears and obscene tongue ring looked at me like I was from mars. I politely thanks him but told him that his life could change it he watched the movie. The old collegate sarcasm has got the best of me.

I'll more than likely purchase the movie and add it to my small collection. It is very inspirational and makes your heart soar. I admit that until I watch it again, the movie isn't fresh in my mind. However you never lose a feeling you felt. Tonight is movie night. Maybe it's available at your blockbuster.

Looking for a good Movie

Looking for a good Movie

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In looking for a good movie last night I strolled upon the American Film Institutes list of Inspirational Movies (2006). I have to admit I haven't seem most of them including Casablanca. I decided that rather then renting a movie that inspires nothing that I'd slowly go through this list one at a time. Some are rather old and the rental companies don't even have them in stock. However I'm sure you can find them somewhere. Here are the first 10.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
2. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
3. Schindler's List (1993)
4. Rocky (1976)
5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
6. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
7 The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
8 Breaking Away (1979)
9 Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
10 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Click here to see full list

Life and Death

Life and Death

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So my brother recently sent my a link to a video he thought was good. His e-mail said "something to blog about". I had seen the video before but thought out of respect for my older brother, I'd do what he said :) Many of you have probably seen it before as well, however it's been a while since it was on Oprah and it's really touching. It makes you think about the things that really are important.

Stephen Covey wrote in one of his books (paraphrasing the Dori way) that in order to live your best life you need to write the eulogy for your own funeral. If your life isn't in line with your ideal eulogy then you would change your life accordingly. If we only had a limited time to live, what would you change about yourself?

Winners Never Cheat

Winners Never Cheat

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I always think insight that other people have is so very interesting. Maybe that is why I blog on some level. I recently read this book by Jon Huntsman (He's a very successful business man, emphasizing very) and thought it was actually really good. It's not circulating in the bookstores heavily but it is definitely worth the read if you find it or choose to buy it. He is a true philanthropist and 100% of the profits go to a worthy organization. It's an easy read, a feel good book and really does make you bring hope about mankind and its values. The book review by publishers weekly sums it up much better than I do so I'll post it below. Great success can be brought through honesty and integrity




This year, Huntsman took his multibillion dollar eponymous petrochemical company public, pushing him even higher on the upper tiers of Forbes's wealthiest list. This little book is structured around old-school aphorisms ("Play by the Rules"; "Check Your Moral Compass") from which Huntsman draws an informal moral code. King's foreword touches on the big picture: Huntsman's unremarkable beginnings, his scholarship to Wharton, his founding and stewarding of Huntsman Chemical, his giant Salt Lake City home and his philanthropy-as well as Huntsman's struggles with cancer, and the family members he has lost to the disease. Huntsman's own chapters include mild rants against lawyers, the story of his son's "successful 2004 campaign for governor" of Nevada, tales of his other eight children, their travels, business deals and the role of prayer in their lives. Prescriptive but digressive, Huntsman's book feels a lot like a long, informal speech to a graduating class.

Foundation for Better Life

Foundation for Better Life

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One of my favorite non profit organizations is The Foundation for a Better Life. You've probably seen one of their billboard ads on the freeway or maybe even a commercials on television. They feature feel good quotes, inspirational people, and everyday heroes. Their ad campaigns always are touching and really do make you think about character and integrity. Their goal is to just encourage people to do good......and their ads make you believe in the good in others as well as yourself.



What makes them even better is that they don't solicit money from the private individual. It is truly a philanthropic organization which deserves recognition. Both for it's efforts and accomplishments. If you haven't been go to their website and read their posters. One is sure to touch you. You can now even download them for home.

Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

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In honor or the week......

Some of what comes out of the sundance film festival is trash....Pure unadulterated garbage. Some is bologna.....Cheap, processed, and totally LAME. However, a select few can be so inspiring that I am thankful for independant film.

I recently rented the movie GOD GREW TIRED OF US. It is the winner of Sundance Jury Prize for 2006 along with the audience choice award. It is a documentary about the LOST BOYS of Sudan. I had never heard of the movie and it was shot in the dark of what it would be like but, I have to admit I was in no way disappointed.

It ended up being a great movie. I laughed, I cried, but most of all it touched my soul. I realized how blessed we are to live in this country. I realized how the struggles I have are so "western" in their nature and that God has given me every opportunity to achieve every dream. I realized how hard people work to actually help and show their gratitude for what they have. I learned that I need to be more proactive to help others, make change, if I'm ever going to make a difference in this world.

This is diffantely a five star rating in my book. Everybody and their mother should see it.

Have you seen any movies that are as inspiring as this? If so, let me know.