What Inspires You Wednesday: Strength

You Are Enough

As I mentioned yesterday, I had coverage of the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings on in the background yesterday while working away in the studio.

Here's the thing: I had to get up several times as they interviewed survivors because what they had to say was incredibly inspiring. Whether it was something like, "I may have lost my leg, but I kept my walk-up apartment because I love it. It's my home" or, "Getting up to walk was quite emotional because I hadn't even stood in such a long time.  I knew I wanted to and would dance again" or  or "I want to go to the marathon to see the people running just like I used to do. To be a part of that awesome atmosphere again. I know until I do that I won't be able to put this all behind me". I may not have the words quite right, but the common sentiment shines through.

What this group of survivors has is strength. They may not always believe they do, but they have showed the world that they are enough to face whatever comes their way.

When I checked my instagram feed this morning, this popped up from Natalia Benson, a jewelry designer/tarot card reader/DJ (talk about variety....).  Her tarot card for the day yesterday just happened to be 'strength'.

photo via Natalia Benson on instagram

Natalia wrote this: "We are such complex and powerful beings: our solar energy (conscious mind) when united with our lunar energy (unconscious mind) is self empowering - we no longer act from sheer impulse or panic of pain from the past- strength is trusting that the totality of what and who we are is enough, we know what to do and we are so capable of everything we set our mind to".

Interesting that her random tarot pick coincided with the first anniversary of the bombings and more importantly with the stories of the survivors. 

A true depiction of strength were the Norden brothers, JP and Paul, each of whom lost a leg and who chose to walk the marathon route yesterday simply because "Our supporters had walked the route shortly after we were injured and we knew with their support, we could do", and they did.  The brothers, along with family and friends started their trek in the morning, followed closely by a trolley so they could take breaks.  In the end, they crossed the finish line around 6:30 pm and the pair had walked more than 7 miles of the 26.  I'd say they exhibited enormous strength.

Here's a video of JP and Paul, their mother Liz and their entire group crossing the finish line. I might have been in my living room, but I assure you I cheered them on.  If you think you can't do something, I suggest you watch this and remind yourself that you are enough, that you can do whatever you set your mind to. 



Strength. That's what is inspiring me on this Wednesday. What's inspiring you?

Ciao for now,

Pam

What Inspires You Wednesday

 

The Amazing Resilience and Spirit of People

 

So as some of you many already know, Boston is our 'local' city. We're only 50 minutes out of downtown. It's close to our hearts.

 

This has been a very heartbreaking week, but at the same time, heartwarming. When evil rears it's ugly head, good always answers in abundance.  Strength answers in abundance. Caring answers in abundance.

 

I've been keeping up with Jeff Bauman (via facebook), the young man who lost both of his legs in the Boston Marathon bombings. The bombers could not stop this man's spirit from shining bright. Nor could they keep the spirit of ballroom dancer Adrianne Haslet who lost her foot from shining bright. Nor could they keep the spirit of any of the survivors from shining bright, including Celeste Corcoran, who lost both of her legs, or her daughter Sydney (who would have died of injuries to her femoral artery had it not been for the people who jumped in to help and placed a tourniquet on her leg). 

 

This video of a marine amputees who visited the Corcorans, and all of the survivors are what is inspiring me today. 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sharing this video to make you sad, but share the inspiring strength and resilience of people. It's amazing. It makes me want to keep everything in perspective. It makes me want to stop letting the small stuff get to me. It makes me want to do something that makes a difference in some way. 

 

To that end, I've decided to focus on helping Jeff Bauman. If I focus on one survivor maybe I can make a difference.

 

Through May 3rd (the end of next week), all money other than shipping costs (not just profits) generated from the sale of my Grow Love print will be donated to the fund set up for Jeff to help in his recovery- Bucks for Bauman. 

 

 

I'm also offering Muse followers a 20% discount on the Grow Love print to encourage you to purchase it now so money can be raised for Jeff.  Enter the coupon code GrowLoveMM at checkout to recieve 20% off. If you want to forgo the discount, so I can give more money to Jeff's fund, just don't enter the code.  I'll also be posting this on our facebook page to try and generate more sales to benefit the Bucks for Bauman fund.

 

I'll keep you aprised of how the fundraising is doing.

 

What these people have been through in the last week has been horrific and yet their spirits are strong in the face of such tragedy. That's what is inspiring me today.

 

What's inspiring you?

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

PS- If you can share this post in any way to help me generate more funds for Bucks for Bauman, I'd be very grateful.

Still Life

 

Spring

 

Today I'd usually be hosting a shop link up party here on Mercantile Muse, but with the week's bombings in Boston and the explosion in Texas, I don't feel in the partying mood. 

 

Instead, perhaps a sign of hope.

 

 

 

 

In case you missed it, in response to Monday's epic display of hate, I am spreading the love in one small way that I can.  I am giving away my Grow Love print.

 

 

You can read more about it here. I'll pick a winner tomorrow morning, so enter before 7am est if you want a chance to win. I'm also giving away the same print on our facebook page, and you can enter to win each one in both places. No rules, no sharing necessary. I just want to bring a smile to one person's face, because.......because that is at least something.

 

Thanks to all who have commented already, your words are comforting.

 

Peace out,

 

 

 

When Nothing Makes Sense

 

Spread The Love

When tragic events like yesterday's Boston Marathon terrorist bombing take place, it really makes you wonder. It makes me wonder how there can be so much hate in the world. I just can't wrap my head around it. There is no answer that makes any of it easier to understand.

My heart aches for the people whose lives have been transformed in a most tragic and unfathomable way.

I don't like to focus too much on those responsible (and whether it is a single person or a group is insignificant to me.....the intent is the same....to terrorize).  It feels as if we concentrate on the responsible party too much it gives them more of our energy than they deserve. I'll leave that up to law enforcement who I trust will do their best to find the perpertrator or perpertrators of this act against humanity. Yes, not against the individuals who suffered, not against Boston, not against the United States.....against humanity. This could have been in any city, in any corner of our earth.

It is times like these that tend to make us feel helpless, but we're not. Look at the people who sprung into action to help the wounded yesterday.......police, firefighters, national guard, medical professionals, marathon volunteers, and the most inspiring........fellow marathon attendees and participants, doing what they could to help.

We can each make a difference. Even if it's on a small scale. Let's choose to spread the love. It is the only thing that will ever really make a difference.  The kind of difference we'd all like to see.

I couldn't think of a more appropriate way of rejecting the hate, than by giving away my print 'Grow Love'.

This isn't about having to share my page, it's not about having to tweet this contest, it's not about having to pin the picture. If you feel like doing that to involve more people in spreading the love, great. However, it's not necessary.  It's simply about me, spreading the love in a very small, doable way. About making someone else's day a little brighter and thus rejecting the hate of yesterday's cowardly act.

All you have to do is leave a comment below this post and you're entered. It's that simple.  A winner will be announced on Friday, so be sure to comment before Friday morning (7am est.)

I'll also be giving the same print away on our facebook page, and if you want to enter here and there, feel free.

All I ask is that you take a moment to consider how you can reject the hate and spread a little love. If you decide to spread the love in your own way, I'd love to hear about it.

My heart is filled with sadness for those whose lives where changed forever by such a dispicable act of hate. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Wishing you peace,