Inspiration

[Rpierce56]

With all that is going on with the hate from all sides and our elected officials doing what they do best, NOTHING, I want to start something to inspire people. A threat to share the things, people, quotes, books, anything at all that has inspired you to be better than you can be. To rise up and stand for who you are and what you believe or something that just gets you through the day. Three weeks ago I was at my lowest point in a very long time and thanks to a few people I have been able to pull out of it. What I found lately to inspire me is one of the core tenants of Buddhism. That would be Compassion. Compassion for each other and all living things. This at the moment is what inspires me.

[Rpierce56]

This statement was spoken almost 54 years ago as part of Martin Luther Kings I have a dream speech, I think it fits in well in regards to the events happening in this country.

"But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

[stickyvicky]

That is a beautiful well worded quote. Love it!

More than quotes though, there are people who inspire me. Just every day normal people. This morning I popped into a starbucks, I was in a somewhat crappy mood because last night Rokkerr lost his wallet, so this morning instead of working out and working on the sites, I had to drive him around (since he had no drivers license), he had a doctors appointment, then we went to the police station to report it, then we had to go to the DMV to get a new drivers license, all while dealing with Amex and Visa and the $2000+ that some jerk had already charged to "Moe's Limosine".

Anyway the guy who served me was sooo nice and cheerful and bubbly. There was a long line and he was working superfast, but he was courteous to everyone and even spoke to the people who were 2nd, 3rd, and 4rth in line, saying I'll be right with you, with a smile. An old bum came in and asked for some coffee in his paper cup, he served him and tried to send him on his way but the old (mentally challenged old man dressed in rags) wanted to chit chat. The server kept on chatting with him while he was serving the others then told him, thanks so much for coming in. He was respectful to him, which really impressed me. I have seen a lot of homeless kicked out of starbucks. Just that guy serving me completely changed my mood, and made me realize how lucky I am. Everyone in the store was happy and buzzing and it was all because of that one guy.

Never let it be said that one person is insignificant. One person can affect so many. My day turned right around and hopefully I in turn will cheer someone else up today! That's my inspiration for today!

[hennar2017]

It seems like in todays world everything is going to hell in a hand basket, but that is not true. It is the few who make it bad and we must not let them win. Not by returning violence with violence but by giving love for love. There are days when it seems little nothing goes right but when that happens to me I stop what I am doing and just sit with my eyes closed and listen to the singing of the birds, the wind rustling the trees, and the laughter of children playing. I realize you have to be in these kind of places to experience this but what I am saying there is joy if we only stop and look around us. I also think of coach Jim Valvino,s speech he gave at a sports banquet in which he said, "don't give up, don't ever give up!" Now I know he was dying of cancer buy he also meant this for all of life. My point is: we all are important and have a purpose in this world, we should love not hate, and then pay it forward. "When it seems the darkest, look for the stars!"

[Rpierce56]

Vicky I would agree with you on having an open mind and heart when you see someone else that inspires you in that moment. It reminded me of a quote I saw not long ago;

No amount of darkness can extinguish the light from a single candle. That day at Starbucks, that server was yours and that homeless mans candle.

[Maggie Green]

I just learned that a friend of mine is donating her kidney to another mother at her daughter's school. She went through all of the testing and is good to go. She posted a video of her telling the woman that she was going to be her donor and that gave me all of the feels! Such a selfless act and it made me realize there is so much good in the world. The news and everything else would have us believe otherwise.

[Rpierce56]

I just learned that a friend of mine is donating her kidney to another mother at her daughter's school. She went through all of the testing and is good to go. She posted a video of her telling the woman that she was going to be her donor and that gave me all of the feels! Such a selfless act and it made me realize there is so much good in the world. The news and everything else would have us believe otherwise.

That is an amazing act of kindness. It just shows that each day we are surrounded by so many people and things that can inspire us to be better than we are. Just have to open our eyes and witness it.

[stickyvicky]

That woman is a star in my eyes. She should be put on a pedestal. If only the news and media would talk about things like this instead of whatever stupid thing a Kardashian said or did yesterday...

[Maggie Green]

I know! It has really made me think if I could do something like that for someone that I really didn't know or even a complete stranger. I don't know lol

[Rpierce56]

Before getting sick and being exposed to things working in a jail I was on the bone marrow list. A few of us did it in response to a co worker suffering from some form of Blood cancer. Sadly he passed before any of us could help, but we stayed on the list just in case someone else needed it. Not sure if I could do what she has done though. Takes a special person to do that.

[George B]

Going through tough times, I'm glad I've got you guys and gals, you all mean a lot to me.

Love you all.

[stickyvicky]

We love you too George!

[hennar2017]

Hope things are getting better for you GeorgeB! You are the sweetest guy and I for one think you are great!

[George B]

Thanks ladies, trying my best but life doesn't pull any punches. Yesterday I had someone very close to me suffer a stroke while he was driving and subsequently he collided with another vehicle - he's alive and recovering, but things like that remind me how fragile life can be and how it can change in a blink of an eye.

My bit of inspiration:

If you love someone, let them know.

[hennar2017]

Yes life is fragile GeorgeB but that is why we live to help and be there for others. Remember that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel even if it is a long one. It is amazing what a few kind words or a hug can do for people. Showing our love is one of the best things we can do to others. I still like the saying "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

[PeterL22]

Going through tough times, I'm glad I've got you guys and gals, you all mean a lot to me.

Love you all.

Hi George,
As you know I've been away, so I am late catching up here.
As someone once said "Life is shit then you die".
Not sure (despite my own experiences) I really believe that, but there are as many low points as high points. I may have put this quote on here somewhere else in the past before, but I do believe its true (and do understand it) - "Grief is the price we pay for love"
If you never have sadness and grief, its only because you have never really had someone (or someones) in your life.
One of the things I have realised from Vicky, the VNA and people like YOU George is that there is care out there and we don't suffer alone. Even if we want to sometimes.
I would like to think that it has something to do with who we are - if we were nasty, shitty people, no-one would care as much. Guess what I'm saying is that we do care about how each other feels because we are "The Good Guys".
Crappy explanation, I'm sorry.
By being the person you are , you get the response from us.
Keep in touch old chap!

[George B]

One of the things I have realised from Vicky, the VNA and people like YOU George is that there is care out there and we don't suffer alone. Even if we want to sometimes.
I would like to think that it has something to do with who we are - if we were nasty, shitty people, no-one would care as much. Guess what I'm saying is that we do care about how each other feels because we are "The Good Guys".

Thanks Peter. I really do feel the love here. When I first signed up with Vicky last year I had no idea I'd meet so many caring people; models and members alike have become close friends, dear to my heart. As I was telling Sunny the other day, I'm here for the long haul. Cheers to the good guys!

[PeterL22]

One of the things I have realised from Vicky, the VNA and people like YOU George is that there is care out there and we don't suffer alone. Even if we want to sometimes.
I would like to think that it has something to do with who we are - if we were nasty, shitty people, no-one would care as much. Guess what I'm saying is that we do care about how each other feels because we are "The Good Guys".

Thanks Peter. I really do feel the love here. When I first signed up with Vicky last year I had no idea I'd meet so many caring people; models and members alike have become close friends, dear to my heart. As I was telling Sunny the other day, I'm here for the long haul. Cheers to the good guys!

And Cheers to you - definitely a good guy!!