Who’s Been Your Greatest Inspiration Throughout Your Life and Why?
By: Caitlin Goebel (View Profile)
Every night I come home and turn on the evening news. At times it seems the world is in devastation and destruction. But today, and in the past, there have been individuals that have inspired and motivated me about what tomorrow will bring.
The greatest inspiration in my life was one of the actions Eleanor Roosevelt took as the First Lady. When she heard that the Daughters of the American Revolution were not letting Marian Anderson, an African American, sing at Constitution Hall, the First Lady removed any affiliation with the organization and then arranged for Ms. Anderson to sing at Lincoln Memorial. She could have ignored what was happening but she chose to take a very public stand on the issue.
We all can be inspired when hearing the stories of people who have done something out of the ordinary in this world. Is there someone who has inspired you and why? Join the chit chat.
The giveaway ended May 23rd, but you can still add your story to this chit chat. Look for more giveaways and stand by for an announcement about our winner.
There are many in my life whom have given me inspiration. My parents for raising me to be strong, a survivor, and not be afraid of challenges in my life. But my first choice would be God, because without the word of God, and His teachings through Christ i.e. Phillipians 4:13, which says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," are truly the words of inspiration and encouragement in life. With those words we can be the witness to others who struggle in life. Mentor to those who need inspiring and give to those who are in need. I want to take this time to thank God for His greatest gift, Christ, inspiration and love He has given to all of us. We need to celebrate this wonderful inspiration.
God has been my inspiration for the last few years. How I ever lived with out Him, I do not know. But you asked for this lifetime so it would have to be my friend since childhood. We were so close and it did not matter that I had little and she had parents who gave her every-thing. She always shared. We both had good parents just not on the same financial level. While I married, she did too, but two children later she went through a nasty divorce, yet nothing threw her. She was in the full time national guard so to better support herself she went to officers school. She is a Major now. She is active in her childrens' school and sports activities, always first to volenteer. She is always doing something to help others and has a home meeting once a month for divorced women to talk about their problems. She organizes church food or clothing drives and raises money to build wells overseas. She is responsible for me being in church. She is a Christian showing it by living it.
I would have to say my inspiration is my God. Without my faith I would have nothing. I live with my faith knowing things will and have always gotten better in my life. I am going through some tough times right now, I hurt my back in 2006. And I am still going to doctors trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I know its something called Degenerative Disc Disease, but when asked about another problem the doctors shook their heads and told me to go to another doctor. Which gets me upset. So I pray and know God will answer my prayers in His time, not mine time. I have to give myself over to reading my Bible - and waiting on God. I know without my God - I have nothing
I would have to say that my greatest inspiration in my life was my grandmother Pauline. I grew up with my grandparents in a small community in Virginia and she had the most influence on me since I lived with her until I went to college. My grandmother taught me that with God all things are possible and there was nothing that I could not do as long as I put Him first. I learned from her the value of community service. She was the voice of reason and wisdomin my family; I use to tell my friends that when my grandmother spoke everyone listened. It seem like everyone sought her advice. She had a great sense of humor too. She once told me that people don't always use the sense God gave them; so they have to go out and buy some sense. Having bought sense is better than not having any.
When my grandmother became very ill, I never heard her complain although she was in great pain on some days. She died a week after her 68th birthday in February 1998.
I would have to say that myGrandmother Benjamin has been my inspiration throughout my life. My grandmother was a Holocaust survivor and taught me so much about love, laughter, appreciation and most of all forgiveness. I cannot think of a day that has gone by that I have not been grateful for the day itself. I have always appreciated having enough food to eat and knew that even a piece of bread can be a feast. She taught me how important laughter is and how one single laugh can give you hope for many, many more. She taught me just how important family is as they can be taken away so quickly so I should never let a day go by without kissing or hugging them or telling me how much I love them. She also taught me forgiveness and how important it is to forgive a person who has wronged you as it takes up too much of your time and heart and leaves too little for love and understanding. Because of her I know my life is richer and I know that by honoring every today I am also honoring her.
I have been touched by many in my life, friends, my children and my grandchildren. They inspire me on a daily basis but my greatest inspiration and my first grown-up heartbreak was Robert F Kennedy. I was only 14 when I worked on my first presidential campaign for the Senator. I hung on his every word about equality and compassion. He was the promise of a better future. He made me realize that one person can make a difference and that we choose the life we want to live. Our loss of the Senator was truly heartbreaking but I vowed at a very young age that I would keep his message in my heart and live my life accordingly.
"Fear not the path of truth but the lack of people walking on it."
My dad: He was a helicopter pilot in the US Army, unfortunately ,he was killed in action in the Viet Nam war, when I was 6 years old. I was young, but I remember his devotion to my Mom, me and my brother first, and then the Army. He taught me to love my country, honor and love my family, and to never give up on myself. I joined the Air Force Reserves at 17, was put on active duty for Desert Storm and never felt closer to him while I was flying around with the Air Force before and after the war. I still miss him 37 years after his death.
My mother: A WWII WAC in the US Army, she was a US Army photographer in India (ICB Theatre). She is an artist and a professional fashion illustrator, and taught me from a Very early age that you can be both a soldier and an artist- which I became, too! She's still going strong at 85- she just played 3 days of back-to-back golf- 24 holes a day! I hope to G-d I have her genes!
My greatest inspiration would have to be my Mother. When I was younger I thought I knew everything and my parents didn't; the typical know it all teenager. Then I got married and still felt the same way for the most part. Now, in my late 30's I look back on it and am quite impressed with how my Mother has gotten through all the terrible things in our family and life in general. She has become the sole care giver for my Father (who was in an accident at work and is now totally disabled) and 2 Nieces (who lost both parents). I'm sure she feels under appreciated a lot of the time, so I try to let her know as much as possible that I love and respect her and all she does for our family. She is a strong woman and I'm proud to call her my Mother!
My friend Bruce M. was the minister of my previous church for years. He inspired me because he was completely open minded and always willing to debate any issue and listen to the other point of view. He was also the first one to step up when there were injustices in our town or surrounding communities. He opened up a dialogue between the different faiths in our community and established ecumenical celebrations, organized marches and prayers when tragedy struck and so much more. When I questioned certain aspects of our church's faith, he discussed it with my openly and with great respect. I've since moved and found a different path - and left that denomination for a much more liberal church. But Bruce and I still talk and email and discuss our views on God, personal responsibility, love, faith and much more. He is the purest example of a Good Shepherd and, although I no longer share his particular form of faith, there is no one I consider a better example of a truly good person.
