Who’s Been Your Greatest Inspiration Throughout Your Life and Why?

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.

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Pamela

05.06.2008 Report

I see she's already been mentioned, but Harriet Tubman has long been a profound inspiration to me. It's many things - her awareness of a greater good for herself, her service and unconditional care for others, her belief in that divine right to life we all must shoulder the responsibility for, to life, and, perhaps most of all, her desire for FREEDOM and her will to fight for it, for herself, and for us.

Lucia Sanfilippo

05.06.2008 Report

The greatest inspiration in my life is my foster father Stan Sherwin. He was my father in every way except genetics. He was the most honorable, generous, intellegent and wonderful man that I have ever known in my life. He chose to be my father and was everything that made the perfect dad. He loved me, taught me, helped me with all my school work and taught me by example to always do my best no matter how hard it was to do. Because of his amazing example I had the strength to endure the difficult parts of my life that I might otherwise not have been able to accomplish. He taught me to love God, have faith, and hope in life when it seemed like there was none left. He taught me that there was nothing that I could not accomplish if I just tried hard enough. He has the purest heart of any human being that I have ever had the honor to know. I know that God gave him to me as my dad because I needed him so much. I loved him more than I will ever love anyone else in my whole life, I miss him.

Memory Layne

05.06.2008 Report

The greatest inspiration in my life is me. I was thinking on my recent birthday how I appreciate getting older because the life behind me is a part of me now. My mistakes empower me to think and make wise decisions moving forward. My learning comes from asking questions, not only of others, but of myself. My strength comes from what I always considered weakness, fear of not being accepted and therefore not being able to open my mouth and say graciously, how I feel, what I want or what I need. My inspiration comes from the immense desire to live an authentic life, day to day, so that those who cross my path are benefiting from what I can express to them, what I can do for them, what I can bring to their day. My number one "customers" of this are my two young daughters. They inspire me to inspire them.

Tashia Bramhan

05.06.2008 Report

I would have to say Harriet Tubman. She risked her freedom to help other slaves in the South on the road to thier own freedom. What we know today as the Underground Railroad. By consistently risking her life and thinking of others first, her actions have shown me to never be afraid to take risks, no matter how far off the radar they may seem to others, the risks I take make sense to me and I have Harriet to thank for the start of all those risks in my life and many others.

Linda Marr

05.06.2008 Report

My college roommate Nancy was and still is a HUGE inspiration to me! Nancy was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 7. She's lived her life balancing a combination of drugs to keep her walking and moving! In college there would be mornings her legs just wouldn't cooperate, so she'd yell -- toss me the Lucky Charms; its going to be awhile and she would lay in bed yelling snarky comments at me until her meds kicked in and her legs worked! Nothing got in her way -- she went on to become a kindergarten teacher, then her masters to become a Guidance Counselor then more advanced degrees to become a Principal. She married and wanted to have kids -- not an easy feat for someone who would have to come off meds that allowed her to walk! She finally had her daugther Julie and when she couldn't add any more children, she became a host family for Fresh Air Fund. Nancy is now battling a serious form of cancer with the same guts and determination! She truly is my hero!

squiggy241

05.06.2008 Report

My mother is for sure....she has went through 4 husbands and 6 kids....many downfalls but has risen up above them all to be my very best friend and confidant :)

Darcy B

05.06.2008 Report

My mother is my greatest inspiration. The day after my mother gave birth to her second child, her husband left her, at 27 her mother died of a brain aneurysm leaving her to raise her young siblings along with her own children. My mother went on to have two more children, while working full time most of her life. She owned a dress shop, was a nighttime bookkeeper, Activities Director for the YMCA, and a Reserve Police Officer, but most of all she was a loving wife and mother. My mother is now a full time caregiver to my father who has Alzheimer's.

Sonya Allstun

05.06.2008 Report

I would say my grandpa he was the type if he believed in something he stood by it. He was a hard working man. He had no family and grew up as a farm hand. His mother left him the day he was born. And he told me no ones past should ever change how ones life turns out your life is what YOU make of it. I do miss him so.

Kayce

05.05.2008 Report

My friend, Barbara. She's like my second Mom.

Bethany F.

05.04.2008 Report

My grandma. I really miss her. :(

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