Words of Affirmation

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

The eloquent man is he who is no beautiful speaker, but who is inwardly and desperately drunk with a certain belief. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person. ~Frank Barron, Think, November-December 1962

 

Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings. ~Victor Hugo

 

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière

 

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Attributed to Howard Thurman

 

If a thousand old beliefs were ruined in our march to truth we must still march on. ~Stopford Brooke

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a wonderful week my friends! If you stumble - come back, see the pictures and read the inspiring quotes. 99% of our success is in our attitude. :-)

Passions

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive.  And then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. "

One of my blog followers suggested I write about what I am most passionate about.

Ha! One of my FAVORITE subjects.

Several years ago, let's say 2002, I was browsing the shelves of a metaphysical shop in Macon, Georgia called Harmonious Balance.

My Italian exchange student, Chiara, was with me. She was preparing to go home soon, and this was our last little day out together. I came across a little basket of stones. Each tiny stone (about the size of your fingertip) had a word on it. The first one I pulled out read, "Passion." I grabbed it and immediately purchased it.

As we were walking out the door, I pulled Chiara aside and said, "I have something for you. It is so important. I want you to take this stone and keep it with you always. It says Passion - and at the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters."

It's true.

I think if the passion is gone - what is the point?

Maybe I think this way because I am a creative/tortured soul type. Maybe because most writers are a bit on the "emotional" side. Or maybe, I get it. Passion to me = Life well lived.

But that is not the point of my follower wanted me to write about. She wanted me to discuss WHAT am I passionate about.

Well..  let's see if I can take a crack at it:

1. God. Of yes - don't be fooled. Underneath the snide remarks and the profanity from time to time - I am a spiritual person. I get most of my INSPIRATION from reading about God and his love for the world. So - my spirituality makes me passionate.

2. Original thought. I am completely inspired when I surround myself with people who have the ability to think deeply. I even view reading books from "way back when" is an excellent way to get into the mind of the most brilliant people who have ever walked the earth.

3. Culture. I think being exposed to other nationalities, personalities, art form, language, foods, music, etc. is one of the single most important things a person can do in their life. You learn so much about your perception of reality.

4. Issues I am passionate about: Human Trafficking, Human rights, Animal Rights, Arts education.

5. Finally - when it comes to love - Passion must rule.

What about you? What gets your heart pumping and your soul filled?

Something happened on the way to the..

I used to be quite the "controversial" status update girl on Facebook. Especially during the Presidential Election. I knew that (considering the part of the United States I live in) that a majority of the people I knew were more than likely conservative.  Which got me thinking... when did it become conservative versus liberal? What happened to good old fashioned democrat and republican? I guess that is a post for another time and place. In case you are wondering - I am independent, and leaning more toward the liberal side on some issues.. less on others. I have traditionally voted republican (because I despised the democratic candidates) - however I not only voted for Obama - I actually campaigned for him.      

So what is this blog post about? I am not certain, but there is one thing I am very certain about - I am.. without a doubt.. a shameless agitator. But only in the good sense.

I like to get people thinking. I like for other people to challenge my thoughts. I believe that it is impossible to "make up your mind" about anything. Impossible. Things/people/ideas change and God willing, evolve. The one fear and complete disappointment I have for the human race is a lack of thought evolution.

I question everything - all the time. Perhaps that would drive average person "mad" (could explain a lot about my personality ;-) ) - however, I think it is so important to expose ourselves, our minds, our fears, our perceptions to every opportunity possible.

Excuses be damned! Money, time, etc. - that's what a library is for. Inside are books, I highly recommend picking one up from time to time.

Now I ask you - what are you most passionate about? What is your "personality-type" talent? I like to get people thinking... what do you do that might take people out of their comfort zone for the "good" of the world?

                                  

What makes you come alive?

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

See these two? These two make me come alive. Above you see my niece, Autumn and my husband - the egyptian. I love these two creatures with all of my heart.

As I sat pondering "what makes me come alive," the first thing that came to mind is love. Pure and simple - LOVE. This is a word, 5 years ago, you would never have heard come from my mouth. NEVER. I spat on this word. (Is that a word - spat? Past tense of spit? ;-) ) Anyway.. you get the idea. I was jaded, I was cynical (more so than I am now), I figured "toughen up Nicole - it's just a fairy tale."

This is to say PERFECT love is a fairy tale. Because I don't believe in perfection. But I do believe in true love. With all of it's stumbling blocks, and laughs, and flaws, and fights.. I say fights - because anyone with an ounce of passion and concern could not escape love without fighting for it's existence. I fight/argue because I care. If I did not care - I would not fight. That's how you can tell how much you mean to me.. if I get upset over something, it's because I care. If I act nonchalant, it simply does not matter to me. Which in essence - does not make me come alive.

I thought I would make a list of items/people/places/etc. that make me come alive. In the end.. that's all I ever wanted was to feel passion and to truly live.

Nicole's List of Passions:

1. My love for God. For the believers, you can understand. For the non-believers, do not think of me as silly - it is such a major part of who I am. Don't worry - I am not a finger pointing freak. I am just a spiritual person. Good and bad.

2. My Husband - the egyptian. I love his fire, I love his smile, I love his zest for travel, I love the way he can make me feel when he chooses to show his love, I love him for the man he will one day be.

3. My niece (and family.) In the end, they are who made me. My sister (the only person in this world with the similar genetic make up) created another human being. Something I am unable to do. So in turn, 1/2 of that child has the genetic make up of me. As close as I will ever get to off spring.

4. My exhange students. Pennapa, Camille, Carole, Chiara, Patrick, Roslin, Jackie, Elena, Matt, Maria, Ilaria, Felipe, Kimhouy, and Mina. Each one spent numerous months if not a year living with me. These were my unofficial children and it was a great pleasure sharing my life with them. I love each and everyone.

5. Writing. I never claimed to be the best writer. Never once. I know I have so many typos, and I fail to spell check, and I write conversationally versus other (I can't help it - I was a broadcasting major) - but it is a passion of mine. It makes me come alive. I have no problem pounding out ideas. I could sit here and type all day long and never lose a beat.

6. Photography. I love visual stories. Capturing images. I like to tell stories through pictures/video - etc. I need to tell a story. I like to share concepts and ideas. If this was taken away from me - I think I would shrivel up and die.

7. Fighting for human rights. I am a STRONG believer that everyone has the right to form an opinion, express that opinion, and decide for himself what he or she would like to do with his life or how to live it. It is not any one person's place to tell another how to live their life, or what their perception of that life should be. I will stand up for those who may not be able to stand up for themselves. I will educate others, spread the truth, and insist we let others live in peace.

8.I am a big believer in animal rights.

9. Travel. Experience. It is so important to step outside of our comfort zones. To see other countries, cities, cultures, other realities. How can you form a truly educated opinion if you do not allow yourself the opportunity to be challenged?

10. Finally - I am passionate about literacy. I spend a huge chunk of my day just reading and writing. I have a personal written journal, a prayer journal, this online journal, and I am always reading about 3 books at a time (one fiction - one inspirational - one  about some new thing I am trying to learn  - like now, I am trying to understand container gardening.) I have several magazine subscriptions that I read cover to cover: American Prospect, Psychology Today, National Geographic Travelor, Bloomberg's Business Week, Scientific American, Real Simple.

What ten things (or share at least the top 5 ) things that make you come alive??!!