Inspiration and Motivation Story Incredibly on TV News

Last night I watched my favorite segment of news. The last five minutes of NBC's Brian Williams show features "Making a Difference" . It is the kind of news that should be on an hour each day. If it was, it could change the world.

Meet Jacob, a human rights worker from Liberia where he witnessed two civil wars, saw his brother killed in front of him, and was himself shot and tortured. He sought asylum as a refugee in New York several years ago. Living on welfare, he created African Refuge, a community center funded by donations. This center finds jobs for people, has a visiting nurse program for people without insurance, hires or finds lawyers who donate their services to help people thru immigration process dilemmas, has an after school program for children, and gives away basic life necessities as donations allow.

This man has nothing of his own but he gives so much to others. He gives his heart because he has nothing else. When he was asked in the interview how he could do this, how he could take on so much as the concept of all he has accomplished, he replied, "Think big. Problems are in your mind. I believe in living a selfless life."

He went on to say that in America you can come from nowhere, play by the rules, and rise to the top. Asked if he was there yet, he said "No, I'm coming there thru helping people."

Here is a man who survived atrocities none of us can imagine, a man with nothing to give but his heart, and if you saw his beaming face during his interview you would see before you true inspiration and love for all. His last quote is awesome. "The value of a man is not in what he has but what he gives."

I told my daughter about this story today. She watches Extreme Home Make-over where deserving families get new homes and she posed an interesting question. "Why does it seem that the people who have nothing are the ones doing the most to help other people?"

Good question.

And I am wondering why Mother Theresa is the only one who comes to mind when I think of people living purposeful lives of total selflessness. Is that an example of good public relations? Jacob is fantastic, inspirational, and I am sure he is not the only one out there doing loving good works. How about demanding balanced news? Instead of all negatives, spend equal time telling stories of the Jacobs in this country. Why not?

Good question.


suZen

Change to Motivate and Inspire

A drum is out there beating away. Can you hear it? President Obama is bringing change to Washington. The Age of Aquarius heralds change for this era. Our economy is screaming for change. Our spiritual leaders are preaching change. Our academic institutions are trying to inspire change. It is everywhere - even the air we are breathing is changing. The drum of change pounds away. Maybe the all-inclusive rythm is meant to cause our awakening?

We love change. We hate change. We whine about change. We fear change. We look to change, try to change, pretend to change.

Chew on the word change a bit and a motivation gear might click into place. If not, at least the brain can embrace new ideas. This wonderful thinking mechanism is never bored. It is always working and doing brain things, thinking, and over-thinking.

I struggle with monkey mind, constant thinking. The thinking never shuts off, goes diagonally as well as in circles and sometimes I hear shouts of "Hey, where is the rest of me?" Who said that? I have no clue!

Many years ago I wished for some boring time, a good chunk of boredom just to rest. I do not advise this. During this time of brain overload I had a freak accident and broke my ankle. This did not provide the rest I longed for but rather more challenges because I still had to somehow tend to my family. Could I rest? Hardly. Did I get bored? No, just exhausted. I did have some rather insightful moments, aside from a friend wagging her finger at me with her admonition of "Be careful what you wish for!"

This experience taught me several things besides editing my wishes. I became very proficient at making lists to get things done and my attitude of gratitude emerged. It could have been worse. I could have more broken bones. The potential for worse-ness is always present in any given circumstance. No matter how bad we judge our day to be, it could always be worse. Aha, be grateful. Great beginning of a list of things to do, tips for inspiration which can lead to motivation and both are drumming partners of change.

I will write the tips tomorrow - it's my intention to write daily and I welcome your comments since its the only way I will know someone is out there --- or in here --- or whatever. Thanks to my friend, Pam. who braved my computer illiteracy to help me set up this blog. Its a beginning and it proves to me that I can still change!

suZen