Who Inspires You?

I find inspiration in the resilience and creativity of everyday people.   It's the stories of individuals overcoming challenges, whether personal or societal, that truly resonate with me.  Their unwavering determination to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on the world fuels my own drive.  

Authors like Maya Angelou, who transformed her painful experiences into powerful words that touch hearts, inspire me to use my abilities for good.  Scientists like Marie Curie, who broke barriers in a male dominated field, remind me of the importance of pushing boundaries.

Maya Angelou

Marie Curie

I'm also inspired by activists like Malala Yousafzai, who fearlessly advocates for girls' education in the face of adversity.  Their courage and dedication to a greater cause instill in me a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to society.

Malala Yousafzai

Artists like Vincent van Gogh, who found beauty in the world despite personal struggles, inspire me to seek meaning and creativity in every aspect of life.  Their legacies serve as a reminder that even amidst hardship, one can leave a lasting. meaningful impact.                                                                                     

Vincent Van Gogh

Since I can remember, throughout all my school years, I have always been mesmerized by one woman.  Harriet Tubman.  She has been my idol and inspiration. Her story has always fascinated me.  Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, became a fearless abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad, guiding hundreds to freedom.  Her unwavering bravery and deep compassion for humanity left an indelible mark on American history.  Tubman's legacy continues to inspire the fight for justice and equality.  

                                                                                

Harriet Tubman

In essence, it's the indomitable spirit of individuals who refuse to be defined by their circumstances that drives me to strive for my own potential and make a positive mark on the world.  

Do you have a favorite person who inspires you?  Does that person give you that extra boost when you need it? 

Photos via Wiki Commons

Message for Monday

This is Sofie with a wonderful message!!!

Inspiration!!!

This woman is gorgeous, amazing, and soooo inspirational!!!!!!  Please everyone watch this and then get up and move, dance, exercise.  Let's get healthy for Spring and Summer!!!! ( "This is the official music video for the song "Penny on the Train Track" starring Ben Kweller's remarkable 82 year old grandmother!!!")

Remembering and Celebrating.

Today we will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he continues to stand for.

Living in small spaces

This apartment is extremely amazing. So much is packed into such a small space. It seems like a lot of work to go from your kitchen to your bedroom but also seems like fun. Christian Schallert, a Barcelona based photographer took this 258 square foot space and turned it into a great little functional studio apartment. Watch this video to see the transformation.

What do you think?

Advice from miss minimalist

100 Ways to Simplify Your Life (and Make Yourself Happier)

By miss minimalist 

"I’ve been striving to simplify my life for many years now, and have recently (through my writing) been advising others how to do the same. In the process, I’ve learned that making little changes in our attitudes, habits, and environment can have a big impact. So today, I thought I’d compile a list of 100 ways to simplify your life – from the practical to the philosophical, and everything in between.

Of course, not every item on the list will work for every person reading it. However, I hope that you’ll find at least a little something that speaks to you, helps you save some time, space, and energy — and perhaps even increases your serenity and happiness!"

AROUND THE HOUSE
1. Ditch the TV (or at least turn if off). If you’re an average viewer, you’ll save over a hundred precious hours each month. An added bonus: less exposure to commercials means less desire to buy stuff, and more money in your pocket.
2. Cancel magazine subscriptions. Read the content online instead, and avoid accumulating a pile of reading material.
3. Read news online, instead of on paper. You’ll save plenty of time, and plenty of trees, by reading only the articles that interest you.
4. Get rid of excessive furniture, so there’s less to walk around, trip over, or move when you have to clean.
5. Opt for multi-functional furniture, so you can satisfy your needs with fewer pieces.
6. Get rid of excessive décor, so you’ll spend less time and effort cleaning around stuff.
7. Digitize your music. You’ll eliminate the clutter of CDs, and have easier access to your music library.
8. Download movies instead of renting DVDs. You’ll avoid the hassle of picking them up, dropping them off, or mailing them back.
9. Put items away immediately after use. It takes a lot less effort than cleaning up piles of stuff later on.
10. Have a place for everything. It makes it much easier to find things, and put them away.
11. Clean as you go. Wipe up spills, and take care of little messes before they become big ones.
12. Devise a cleaning routine. Streamline your chores into an ordered set of tasks for maximum efficiency.
13. Do laundry in large batches, instead of small ones. It’ll save you time, and reduce your energy (and water) consumption.
14. Buy enough socks and underwear to make it through a full laundry cycle, to avoid doing small “emergency” loads.
15. Wash towels less often. They don’t need laundering on a daily basis; you’re clean when you use them, after all!
16. Consolidate hobby items in designated containers. That way, all your supplies will be on hand when you need them.
17. If you start a new hobby, drop an out-of-favor one (along with its equipment and supplies).
18. Adopt the “one in, one out” rule: when you purchase something new, get rid of something old.
19. Don’t start collections. Avoid the clutter, and save your money, by channeling your energy and creativity into something more productive.
20. Get rid of one item every day. At the end of the year, you’ll have 365 less things to worry about!

137 things to do to make you smile!

by  Katie  Morton

Photo: tibchris / Creative Commons

Connect

1.   Smile

2.   Forgive

3.   Email a friend

4.   Phone a friend

5.   Mail a postcard or letter

6.   Host an in-home movie night

7.   Host a cocktail party or a dinner party

8.   Schedule a coffee, lunch or dinner with a close friend to talk and laugh

Aromatherapy

9.   Candles

10.  Perfume

11.  Essential Oils

12.  Baking smells, like vanilla

13.  Flowers: lavender is soothing

14.  Herbal smells: my favorites are basil and mint

15.  Anything that smells good to you

Take care of you

                                                                    
I found this on a site called Demanding Joy.  A must read!!!  And keep for future reference!

100 Ways to Nurture Yourself


"Probably the most important component to demanding your joy is learning to take excellent care of yourself – mind, body, and spirit. Think of caring for yourself as if you were your own child – giving to yourself at least as much as you give to others. You are worth it!"



"Like joy itself, self-nurturing comes in many little bits. Here are 100 of those bits for your consideration. This is not a checklist – only a list of suggestions. Please take the ones that speak to you and ignore the rest. Enjoy!"



1.Put a post-it on your mirror that says, “You look beautiful!” – and then accept the compliment every time you look at yourself.

2.Buy fresh flowers every now and then. – Brighten up the place.

3.Use colored pens for no particular reason. – Blue and black are fine, but how about orange?

4.Take a walk without a destination. – It’s a great way to get some exercise and clear your mind. Be mindful of what you see, hear and feel.

5.Take a hot bath. – With bubbles.

6.Write in a journal. – Write anything that calls you. Ideas, experiences, dreams, frustrations – get them out of your head and down on paper.

7.List the things that you’re grateful for. – You can’t help but feel better when you literally count your blessings.

8.List the things that you like about yourself. – We can all list the things that we don’t like about ourselves. Turn that around and think about your many positive qualities.

9.Create something. – Many of us have gotten away from actually making things. Create some artwork. Write something. Build something. Make something that didn’t exist before. It can be functional or frivolous – as long as you enjoy the process.

10.Treat yourself. – We struggle to be disciplined, especially with money and food. You deserve a reward, right?

11.Smile. – It’s very difficult to feel bad when your face is happy.

A great quote by John Lennon!

Have a great weekend and a happy holiday!

Whatever holiday you celebrate, have a good one!  Peace, health and happiness!!!!!!

Please watch this awesome man and then let's be thankful for all that we have this holiday season!