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.
well my brother he inspired me to do something with my life,he always was therewhen i needed someone to inspire me to get on with what ever i had to do.he would say you can do any thing you want to do,no matter what it was he would tell me you can do it. and because of him i could do it no matter what it was,well he died in 2005,and i lost not only my brother but my best friend. sandra williams
My biggest inspiration is the woman i nanny for. She was diagnosed last May with breast cancer. She is in her early 40's. She has an awsome career, loving supportive family/husband and a million and one awsome friends. Even with that, she works over 50 hrs a week. Has three beautiful, energetic children ages 3,6 and 10. She under went surgery, chemo and radiation like it was nothing. kept working, remained a dedicated mom, wife and hard working employee. I have never met any one like her. She has so much courage, strenghth and compasion in her evrything she does. She has taught me not to sweat the small stuff, work hard towards my goals, be a better wife and mom and most important live my life to the fullest! she is selling her home to move closer to family (although she will be missed!) and she is all done with chemo and radiation! She is doing very well and CANCER FREE!!! I wish her and her family all the best! She is truly an inspiration to everyone who knows her!
My husband inspires me. He's a US Navy Active Duty Sailor, currently on a ship outside Myanmar, waiting to be allowed to help the cyclone victims. In the past year, he's lost his mother to aggressive cancer and his grandfather to sucide....yet he has found the strength and courage to be "the strong one" for his family and for his country. He's learned to find the silver lining in any situation, and he's the perfect example of personal responsibility, work ethic, and finding joy in life. I am in awe of him. He makes me want to be a better person every day of my life.
My mother has been my greatest inspiration. I could not have endured or survived the death of my two sons if she had not given me a basis to my faith. One time she said that she was a failure because only one of her five children were still practicing the Russian Orthodox faith that we were brought up in. I pointed out that it was her example and teaching that gave four of her children the ability and strength to search out the comfort of the Lord in other communities. She was not a failure but a true success. I hope that I can be as much of an inspiration to my surviving children as she is to me. Thanks mom, I love you.
My father has been my greatest inspiration. He grew up with an alcoholic, abusive mother. Every one of his brothers and sisters had different fathers. He was in a gang and dropped out in 8th grade. He joined the army but was dishonorably discharged for starting a fight in a bar. He's done drugs and was an alcoholic. If you knew his life story you would think he would have given up on life but he didn't. Instead he got his GED and eventually got his Masters degree in psychology. He owns his own counseling office specializing in family, drug, and alcohol therapy. He also serves as president of the school board and sits on the foster care review board. He's made it through a lot and is a very well respected man. He's taught me so many things that no school can ever teach. He's helped me understand the complexities of life and appreciate every moment of living. If I can only aspire to be like one person it would without a doubt be him. I'm a better person because of him.
My grandmother was an inspiration to me before she passed away. She raised nine children on her own after her husband died of a heart attack at age 41. She then took in and raised two of her grandchildren after her son, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty. Although she had tons of grandchildren and great grandchildren she never forgot a birthday and made sure that everyone of us had a handmade blanket and booties for our first children. She lived to be a 100 years old and spread her love on for generations to come.
I have found great inspiration in Oprah and her motto of "live your best life." I believe that adopting this philosophy years ago created the vision for the wonderful life I live today (and continue to strive toward). She has been truthful and honest yet steadfast in her beliefs and being "real." I find that many of the women in my life (personally) have similar qualities but I didn't know them as well as I "knew" Oprah in my 20s.
My husband, honestly. He was the first human being who ever showed me unconditional love. I am a child sexual abuse survivor, and he has taken great care with my recovery. It has only enhanced our levels of intimacy. He is truly my soul mirror, he reflects back to me my innate goodness that the abuse almost kept me from realizing.
My parents and my grandparents were always a great inspiration to me. Before my grandfather died, he & my grandmother had been married over 70 years. My parents have been together close to 50. Both my grandparents & parents stuck together & worked together not only during the good times, but the rough times. I am married to a wonderful husband who also is a warm, supportive, & loving person. I feel fortunate to have had such wonderful people around me my entire life. I never take for granted the wonderful people & blessings in my life.
Like Rose, a therapist gave me invaluable advice that's helped me find paths through the chronic depression that I have coped with throughout my adult life. Dr. R suggested that our fears are like unopened boxes in an attic. Face each fear by opening each box, examine its contents, close it and put it away and GO ON WITH LIFE. I've also had inspiring teachers in grade and high school, university and community college. They taught me many lessons. Most importantly, they fostered confidence in my self. This confidence was not just academic but helped build coping mechanisms in all facets of my life. My father, a remarkable man, loved me and everyone he meet unconditionally. He modelled acceptance of all kinds and sorts of people and demonstrated that the highest good was helping an other person. My mother, again by precept, gave me the gift of viewing life with spirituality - a gift that has carried my through life with hope. Bless them all!
