EIGHT BIRDS, TWO MOUNTAINS, AND ONE BIG CHEVY MALIBU
Character is something we find inside ourselves in our most desperate times and something that defines every action we make. ... read >
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MANY THANKS!
On one of those afternoons it began to rain about halfway to the school. My infant was sheltered by his carriage cover and a blanket, but my daughter and I were getting soaked. ... read >
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HELPING ANOTHER IN NEED
My parents always raised me to have strong values and hold firm to my convictions in life, and this was never more exemplified than when a situation arose when it would be easy for most people to ignore it. ... read >
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DO UNTO OTHERS
The railroad tracks were within a mile of our house. "Beggers" and "Bums" (as they were known) frequently would knock on the doors in our neighborhood in the summer asking for food. ... read >
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BEING THERE
One hot summer day I was rushing late to my workplace on the Upper West Side. As I cut through a small park I heard a woman sobbing. ... read >
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A TEACHER'S LESSON
We stood there on the corridor of our classroom talking with our English teacher, not on academic matters but on general issues. ... read >
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I PROMISE YOU...
I strive for the highest ideals. I have outstanding passion, motivation & enthusiasm to constantly improve what I expect from myself. ... read >
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TEACH THEM IN THE WAY TO GO
My father used some unusual techniques to teach us and rarely spared us from the school of hard lessons. These are the two I cherish most. ... read >
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THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE!
This story serves as reminder in my life to remember that in a world of evil, there is still goodness, compassion, caring, a deep love for others and a good kind heart. For one evil person there are many more great hearts... pass it on. ... read >
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A HELPING HAND
...in a not particularly safe part of town, we heard my car make a funny noise, and then it was shaking violently as we drove along. Quickly, I pulled off to the shoulder and determined a tire had blown out. ... read >
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ILLUMINATION
“Spread your light and positive energies as much as you can! Even I battle with the great blows of the wind, be peaceful…tolerant…you are always free to begin again and you’re always free to believe. Your light makes a difference always.” ... read >
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MAKING FRIENDS, LOSING ENEMIES
I didn’t wear make-up, and I didn’t wear those awesome bell-bottom pants. I didn’t exactly look like the coolest girl. But, I kept smiling at her, though she rolled her eyes, and I kept telling her she looked beautiful, even if she sighed in irritation ... read >
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ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE
Only a minute after I stopped on the side of the road, a semi pulled up behind me to see I needed help. I explained to him that I had to make my appointment, and that I was to deliver any day now. ... read >
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A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE
We’d always wanted a real Christmas tree—a tall, lavishly decorated one, like other families had. It would have had singing lights, silver tinsel, blown-glass ornaments, and icicles dressing its snow-tipped branches. ... read >
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FINE EXAMPLES
My mother through her fine example instilled within me the desire to help others. She taught me to notice those whom others ignore ... read >
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KINDNESS
The whole time we were catching up, I was just stunned that he still remembered me. ... read >
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SNOW ANGEL
The snow was swirling everywhere and any oncoming vehicle dusted my little VW so thoroughly that it would take a long few seconds before I could see anything ahead of me.
... read >
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KINDNESS
Before the day of the assembly, I had been trying to better myself by simply being kind to others. After the assembly, I got the idea of just saying thanks to the wonderful staff at my high school. ... read >
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THE OLD LADY IN THE WORN BROWN COAT
After a short while, my father had the heater up and running, making great heat for their cold home. I followed my dad upstairs where the lady asked my dad in poorly spoken English how much she owed him for fixing the heater. My dad looked around the house and said that he had to go out to the truck and write the bill. ... read >
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THE SHORTEST FLIGHT
I was flying home after attending my best friend's funeral...dreading the five hours on a plane with nothing but my own thoughts to keep me company. ... read >
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DEALING WITH RACISM
As a result of my actions, I have been friends with that kid for 3 years now. He’s happy I helped him when he was at his lowest point and I’m happy he helped me, too… He inspired me!
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2XTREME
John told me that if I could get good grades, have no negative police contact, do at least 60 hours of community service, and stay sober, he would take me on the "2Xtreme Dream" trip.
The “2Xtreme Dream” was a trip to southern Russia to climb Europe's tallest mountain, Mt. Elbrus, standing at 18,510 feet.
... read >
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A TRUE FRIEND
My friend is now working on her Master's and needed a good friend to write a short paper on her integrity. She asked me, and this is the story I told in that paper. When she read it, she had no idea how much her efforts had meant to me then, or how much they still mean in my life. To me, that is what a true friend is. ... read >
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FLICKERS OF HOPE
I know my purpose now, and that is to help. To help anyone I can because I know what it feels like when you need it and the way your heart feels when receive it. ... read >
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FROM SPARK TO FLAME
When my now 19 year old daughter was in Grade 3, all of Mrs. Mathews’ students were given a small pot with a bean seed to plant. Green string beans it seems are pretty hardy and the perfect seed to use when promoting green thumbs in young children. That same plant was also a most unexpected source of understanding and insight for me. ... read >
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GOING TO THE ELEVEN
My family was getting ready to sit down to dinner. My son was hopping on one foot and counting to ten. He had me count three times. 1, 2, 3, ...10. He stayed balanced each time. Then he tried his left foot. 1, 2, 3, ...10. He did it again. Then he paused... "This time Mommy. let's go to the..." He thought about it for a long time, "to the eleven." At first I laughed. What great inspired things kids say. ... read >
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IMPARTING WISDOM
My father died on December 18, 2003, when I was 12-years-old. Granted, I was not able to know my father for a big portion of my life, yet I acquired much wisdom from this great man's life and from what he had imparted to me. ... read >
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I LIVE INSPIRED
Two years ago my life took a quite unexpected turn. I can remember the exact moment, sitting on the front steps of my apartment listening to an old friend explain his goal to help people in recovery from substance abuse. Little did I know this mission would soon expand to include helping the world live more inspired.
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LIFE IS LOVE
Life, most people say, is fleeting. It flies right by us and we barely even notice until something horrible happens. My name is Bec and I am sixteen. August 3rd was the fourth anniversary of my mother's death. ... read >
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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
I have come a long way from riding on the back of a donkey as a child in Portugal in the 50's and 60's, where I grew up. My family was poor; in fact, I recall times when my courageous mother had to literally beg for food to feed four hungry boys. ... read >
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THE POWER OF LOVE
Raising my youngest daughter as a single parent, particularly through her teenage years, was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. Not denying that there may be other factors involved, I am convinced that my inept parenting had a significant role to play in the emotional challenges my daughter faces. ... read >
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TWO AMAZING PEOPLE
I recently read a wonderful account of an incredible act of kindness. It involved the country singer, Jan Howard, and it occurred back in the early or mid 1950's. ... read >
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MICHAEL AND ST. THERESA
I have been suffering from severe depression for quite a while now, so when my partner suggested we take a day trip to Dublin on the ferry I reluctantly said yes. We arrived in Dublin and while he went to meet a friend I strolled down O'Connell Street just looking at shops and people watching. ... read >
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HOLDING DOORS CAN SOMETIMES MEAN MORE THAN YOU THINK
We were cutting it close on time and our coach is very into punctuality—meaning we would be punished severely if we were late. As we rushed to the double doors leading to the University Center, I saw an elderly woman, walking very, very slowly, but almost to the doors. ... read >
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AN EVENTFUL DAY, A BLUR OF MEMORIES
In some ways I feel this was my late uncle's departing gift to me: his illness and death brought me back to my childhood and my roots, and I walk away grieving but a little more aware and appreciative of what makes me, me. ... read >
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LIFE IS OURS TO LIVE FREELY!
Peter was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was 16 years old, and was told that his life expectancy was far shorter then an average 16 year old's, and that he would not live much beyond his twenties. ... read >
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YES WE CAN
I am Amadu Lamrana Bah, from Sierra Leone, and am 20 years old. I suffered a lot during the civil war in my country Sierra Leone. ... read >
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DELIVERING SMILES
My name is Destinee. I am 11 years old. I have a friend name Shelby. Shelby and I have set up a small organization with my Mom. It is called Delivering Smiles. ... read >
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SERVING THE UNDERSERVED
My story is about an individual who truly represents servant leadership and community betterment. As a college student, I was fortunate to be hired as an intern for an international community development organization. ... read >
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THE STRANGER
The guy I was with reached into his pocket to give this man a $20 bill. As the other man was extending his hand out to take the money, I put my hand on my new friend's hand and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute?" ... read >
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HOW STRONG IS STRONG?
So, do you want to hear about one tough cookie? Her name is Sylvia, and we are close friends. Despite the age difference (she is about 70 and I am 12) we are two friends that will not ever be broken up. That's why I was so scared when she got cancer. ... read >
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IMPOSSIBLE THINGS
During a particularly bad moment I emailed my old high school religion teacher that I was in the middle of a crisis of faith and didn't really know how to carry on. His response was simple but so profound, "to believe in the face of it all - that is faith. Impossible things happen every day."
... read >
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MR. AND MRS. POSITIVE
I have two really good friends, Nancy and Richard. They both believe in the power of positive thinking. However, though their personalities are similar, they are totally different in other areas of their lives. The biggest differences are their childhood, career choices, and lifestyles. ... read >
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