YOU ARE GOING PLACES
It was another dreary and gloomy day. I had come home from school, changed my clothes and got ready for work. I work at a local restaurant in town as a cashier, seater and busser. ... read >
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SIMPLICITY OF LIFE
My parents knew their gold: each other, their six children, and their faith. They tried to live uncluttered lives so that they could have time for what was most important. ... read >
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KINDRED SPIRITS
Even though we don't see that much of each other I've always felt a certain closeness to her, maybe because we're both artists or because neither one of us is afraid to try new things. ... read >
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FINALLY GRADUATING
As my password, I called myself “mountainclimber.” The journey was difficult and every hill seemed higher to climb. I suppose the thing that pulled me through was when I couldn't do it for myself, I could do it to honor my friend! ... read >
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DREAMS DO COME TRUE
Married with two children at thirty-eight, I grew restless. I was unhappy with my job and felt exhausted at the end of the day. I wanted to do something creative with my life. “Life begins at forty” became my mantra. ... read >
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CANCER AS A BLESSING
When I was 35, I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a nightmare. While you instantly slip into "poor me” or “why me" mode, times like these can also remind you of just how many people care about you and at a time of need, how many people will come out of the woodwork. ... 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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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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GENUINE RED RYDER 200 SHOT CARBINE ACTION AIR RIFLE
Some years ago I unwittingly start a family tradition for our Christmases. It was based on the premise that all kids deserve a toy on Christmas and that everyone is a kid at heart. ... read >
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LIVING THE DREAM
One of the ushers standing in front of me, took the tickets from a lovely couple, and asked the generic question, "How are you today?" Without skipping a beat, the man answered, "Living the dream." ... read >
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GIVING BACK
In 2002, Samantha M., a then student at the University of the Incarnate Word, was involved in a near fatal automobile accident. She was driving the car and the passenger, her close friend, died. ... 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.
... 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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COURAGE AND ME
I have walked all my adult life with either a pair of crutches, a cane or a walker, but never on my own. I hated to feel the way I did, and more than anything else in life, I wanted to be my own person again. During those years, I found that love was harder to give, care was a tough thing to do for someone, sacrifices meant more than the word implied and patience and courage was all that anyone needed to overcome anything in life. ... read >
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MY PARENTS' LOVE
I lived in Dallas, Texas nearly all my life with my mom, dad and older sister. We were raised to respect others, value education, and get all that we could out of life. "You can be anything you want to be," my parents always say. "Work hard and the world is yours," is often quoted in my house. My parents are never without a helpful word of advice or a bit of encouragement when life gets tough. ... 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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