Since the subtitle of my blog is “Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life” I decided it was a fine time to start a regular series on the topic. So welcome to the first edition for March, 2018.
- I have to give a shout out to Dr. Andrea Dinardo for her blog post about her recent TEDTalk on Thriving Under Pressure. Watching that on Sunday night as I mentally prepared for the week ahead sparked some creative ideas, and I started my week inspired and focused on what’s right.
- Read this story in the Washington Post about 7 Marathons, 7 Days, 7 Continents and One Man with Parkinson’s: Can he make it? and you’ll think twice about complaining about a few aches and pains. Bret Parker should inspire us all. I participated in the Breast Cancer Three Day Walk about 8 years ago. 60 miles over 3 days. As someone with fibromyalgia, that was the most physically challenging thing I have ever done – close to two and a half marathons spread over three days. I. Can’t. Even. Imagine. 7 marathons. 7 days. 7 continents.
- There’s an app for that. This teenager worried about walking alone, so she created an app. And then she won the Congressional App Challenge in Virginia’s 10th District. I work in the tech industry and I love seeing young women use technology to solve every day problems.
- I enjoy watching Shark Tank and all of the interesting inventors and businessmen and women trying to jump their business to the next level. I remember the pitch back in 2013 for “Doorbot” that didn’t get the offer he was looking for. Well “Doorbot” became “Ring” and was just purchased by Amazon. Even though the deal could be close to $1 Billion, Mark Cuban says he’d pass on it again. It was good enough for Jeff Bezos though. Just proof that you should never stop believing in yourself and do not give up on your dreams!
- Normally churches collect tithes from their parishioners, but this local church turned the tables over the weekend, encouraging the congregation to pay it forward and giving them the means to do so.
- Sports fan or not, watch this story of selflessness because Life is Bigger than Basketball.
- Looking for more ways to incorporate exercise into your busy life? Or perhaps you need some gentle moves that you can do while in the midst of a “fibro flare” or some similar physical condition. Check out these YouTube videos from Robin of The Balanced Life, who believes in “grace over guilt.” I just finished her 10 day Mind Body Pilates challenge and love that I can get in a quick 10-15 minute workout when I am pressed for time!
- Some days I just cannot bear to listen to the news on my daily commute. But I do start every day reading The Skimm so I know what’s going on. It’s a fun, quick read format. Check it out here. Sign up here. Hey, it’s good enough for Oprah and SJP!
- Every once in awhile I like to rewatch this TEDTalk from Steve Jobs on How to Live Before You Die. Hear how a calligraphy class inspired some of the features we now depend on in our every day life, how rejection helped in Jobs’ success, and his take on life’s great change agent – death. Three quick stories from his life urging us all to pursue our dreams, follow our hearts, and love what we do.
- And finally here’s a link to a downloadable printable with some motivational cards to put in your planner, use as a bookmark, or just leave in front of your computer to remind you how awesome you are!
I hope you enjoyed these articles, stories, and videos and that I have inspired you just a little. Let me know what inspires you, and perhaps I will share it in an upcoming edition.
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs
Cheers!
Cynthia
My Inspired Fibro Life 
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