Never Forget...

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed America and the world forever. Ten years ago today, we needlessly lost 3,000 plus lives. Countless more lives have been lost in The War on Terror. I will NEVER FORGET the events on 9/11 and I am so thankful to live in a country where brave men and women are willing to put their lives on the line to keep us free.

Never forget...

It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...

Sports have an incredible ability to inspire us. Whether we are watching or competing, sport has the ability to tug at our heart strings. It has the unique ability to make us cry, make us laugh, make us smile, makes us stare in complete and utter awe, render us speechless, or gets us to gloat endlessly.

The wide range of emotions that come with the game are endless. And, in the end, that is what we love about them.

There is a famous sang "It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...". And, when it comes to sport that sang fits perfectly. Some of the most inspiring moments in sport have come from individuals or teams whom have believed with all their hearts that "It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...".

No team is more inspiring to me than the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Facing an insurmountable task, Kevin Millar led the Red Sox onto the field on that fateful October night to begin the greatest four days in baseball history. The Red Sox were down 3-0 to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The day before...the Sox were embarrassed on their home field as they were slaughtered by the Yankees. Many believed that it could not be done, but the Sox Nation and a team of idiots proved everyone wrong. The Sox went on to win 8 straight games (4 against the Yankees and 4 against the Cardinals). Impossible was not a word in their vocabulary as they became the 2004 World Series Champions.

Four Days in October is an amazing 30 for 30 documentary run by ESPN regarding the comeback of the Red Sox. Whether you are a fan of the Red Sox or not, you should experience this documentary. It inspires you to never give up. Not matter how hard your back is against the wall, it is possible to comeback and be victorious. Below is a clip of the must see, inspiring documentary.

How Winners are Made...

No words need to be written. Just watch the video. Enough said.

Possibilties...

Inspiration can come from a lot of places. It can come from a book, from music, from family, from friends, from life experiences. Other times it can come from a piece of art, a movie, or a television show.

Recently, I have been watching "Friday Night Lights" and there are many inspirational moments on that show. One part that really had an impact on me was Tyra Collette's monologue when she shares a portion of her application essay for college. Her words are inspirational, encouraging, and show the incredible growth of her character. The growth from a childish, selfish party girl to a well-rounded, caring, dreaming girl looking to succeed in life.

Be inspired by her words...

"Two years ago, I was afraid of wanting anything. I figured wanting would lead to trying and trying would lead to failure. But now I find I can't stop wanting. I want to fly somewhere on first class. I want to travel to Europe on a business trip. I want to get invited to the White House. I want to learn about the world. I want to surprise myself. I want to be important. I want to be the best person I can be. I want to define myself instead of having others define me. I want to win and have people be happy for me. I want to lose and get over it. I want to not be afraid of the unknown. I want to grow up and be generous and big-hearted, the way people have been with me. I want an interesting and surprising life. It's not that I think I'm going to get all these things. I just want the possibility of getting them. College represents possibility. The possibility that things are going to change. I can't wait."

God Chose Me...

Adam Hubbs is a sixteen year old young man, who was affected by rare blood disorder that put him in a coma for five weeks. Then, at sixteen, he suffered a stroke. Despite the struggles that this young man has had to face, he still fights everyday. He keeps a positive outlook through the dark times. "God chose me because I'm strong enough to get through it..."

Whether you like Tim Tebow as a player or not, you have to respect him as a person. It is good to see that there are still good people in this world. Those who are willing to spend their precious time making the dreams of others come true.

Fear Nothing...

The story of Jaxson Hinkens is difficult to put into words. What do we fear in life? Often times, it is the little things that we fear. But, for young Jaxson Hinkens, there is much more to fear. Yet, he fears nothing.

The story of Jaxson Hinkens is inspiring, saddening, and wonderful all at the same time. It is a story of a six-year old boy, a body filled with cancer, and a football player who became a friend. It is a story of courage. It is a story of friendship. It is a story that shows that there is some good left in the world.

Jaxson Hinkens shows the true meaning of "Fear Nothing" while teaching a college football star the true meanings of courage, friendship and optimism.

Holding Hands...

This picture is remarkable. The hand of a 21 week old fetus clasping the finger of a surgeon trying to save his life. I don't know how anyone could every support abortion. And, I definitely do not see how anyone could support it after seeing this amazing photo.

The baby at 21 weeks could have legally be aborted. Luckily, the mother carried for this little one. The 21 week old fetus went through a spinal operation in order to save it from serious brain damage. Baby Samuel Armas has spina bifida, which lead to his spinal cord not developing properly. A talent surgeon and staff performed surgery on the fetus through a slit in the womb. The surgery was very risky because the fetus would not be able to survive outside the womb if anything went wrong. Luckily the surgery was a success.

Baby Samuel had "not yet felt the touch of his mother's skin against his own and he knew nothing of life outside her womb. But perhaps Samuel Alexander Armas will be able to shake Dr. Bruner's hand again".

His mother and father decision not to abort the birth led a miracle. Samuel was born on December 2, 1999. Below is a picture of Baby Samuel, from 2003, at 3 1/2 years old. The miracles that science and love can bring when used together are incredible.

BODY and HEART...

Can you imagine swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then run 26.2 miles?

That is what it takes to be an Ironman!

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman?

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman while carrying an extra 110 pounds?

That is exactly what Dick Hoyt did. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman that carries around an extra 110 pounds every time he competes in the Ironman triathlon. The extra 110 pounds that he carries brings him the most joy. That extra 110 pounds gives him the will to go on. That extra 110 pounds is his inspiration. That extra 110 pounds is the REASON he competes. That extra 110 pounds is his son!

His son, Ricky Hoyt, suffers from cerebral palsy which has left his body crippled. While his body is crippled, his mind and his heart are full. His full heart convinced a loving father to be his legs since he couldn't use his own. His full heart convinced a loving father to punish his own body for his son. His full heart convinced a loving father to trek across America. His full heart convinced a loving father to go to the ends of the Earth for his son.

"Dick is the BODY."

"Rick is the HEART."

"Rick COULDN'T compete without his DAD."

"Dick WOULDN'T compete without his SON."

What a story of LOVE!

More on the Hoyts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0&feature=related

"Courage + Believe = Life"

John Challis, a senior from Freedom High School, who succumbed to cancer, left an inspiring impression on a Pennsylvania community. He fought until the end, while keeping a positive attitude and outlook on life.

“I could live with it, but it ain’t gonna go away. Never will. But, I can live the way I’m livin’ for the rest of my life, and I’m fine with that. I’m strong enough to do that. And, I couldn’t have lived the rest of my life knowing cancer got the best of me.”

What an inspiring young man. He continued to fight, continued to compete, and he continued to LIVE!

"Live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow."
"Courage + Believe = LIFE" -John Challis

from CourageForLife on Vimeo.

More on John Challis below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut1XjcFRVLA&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ViYTmpxzk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1lTgwuMpNM&feature=related

Thank a Soldier...

On this 4th of July holiday, I could not help but to share another inspiring video clip. This July 4th, please remember to thank a soldier for the sacrifices that he/she has made. Many have sacrificed their time, their families, their health, and their lives in order to keep this nation free. Thank them! Let them know that we care about them and we appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.

It is a shame, but the clip below was only aired once on television during the Superbowl. The commercial always reminds me that I should thank a soldier for all his/her hard work, dedication, and love for our nation. The world would be a better place if we all thanked a soldier more often. This commercial gives me goosebumps. This is how it should always be when a soldier passes by. To all those soldiers out there. Thank you for being a warrior. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for serving our nation.

Happy 4th of July!

"Nobody Asks To Be A Hero..."

At this time, I cannot help but think of all those men and women, who fought, bleed, suffered, and even left this Earth in order to protect our great nation. During the midst of all the fun, excitement, and festivities that this holiday weekend brings, please take the time to reflect on those amazing individuals who have sacrificed so... much for all of us. Countless Americans have laid the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. I could never thank their families enough for the sacrifices that they have made.

So, to all those amazing individuals, who served our country proudly…I THANK YOU with ALL my HEART! To those members of the armed forces (past and present) that I am proud know (Robbie Puckett, Shorty “Baby Goose” Wilkinson, Jim Crowe, Adam Magnuson, Chad Whitney)…you fellas are truly heroes. Thank you for all that you have done for my family and me.

The clip below is from the film "Black Hawk Down". This amazing film captures the hearts and souls of the American soldiers that we are lucky enough to call our own. I am so thankful for all those heroes who have fought to keep me FREE.

“Nobody asks to be a hero; it just sometimes turns out that way.” –Sgt. Eversmann

"Don't EVER Give Up..."

At the 1993 ESPN Espy Awards, Jimmy Valvano gave one of the greatest speeches ever. With his body ravaged by cancer, he was a fountain of positive energy and inspiring words. He encouraged everyone to "laugh daily, think daily, and be moved to tears daily". What great advice from this incredible man! He urged us saying, "Don't give up, don't EVER give up". He never did. Even though, he would leave us just eight weeks after giving this speech. He reminded us that "Cancer can take away all my physical ability. It cannot touch my mind; it cannot touch my heart; and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Enjoy this amazing speech from a truly incredible man!

"Our Deepest Fear . . ."

"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. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as... children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Marianne Williamson

The clip below is from the movie "Coach Carter". In the clip, Rick Gonzalez, plays Timo Cruz, a young basketball player who is caught between the world of academics and sports AND a world of gang banging and slanging drugs. His delivery of this incredible passage is simply amazing.

This quote originally comes from a book titled "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson. This quote is often erroneously credited to Nelson Mandela. He borrowed the quote from William's book for his inaugural address when he became the first black president of South Africa.

Enjoy the clip!



Stay inspired! Come back tomorrow!

Inspiration in a Dark World

We live in a world of chaos. Sometimes, the world is a dark and scary place. But, whenever I am feeling down, I look for a source of inspiration. So, on a daily basis, I will post a small gem of inspiration that I have come across. Enjoy!