Sierra Leone’s Refugee all Star Band

Reuben M. Koroma is a singer who composes songs to help refugees have a little relief from the suffering in their lives. This group, the Refugee all Star Band came together one at a time and fashioned some musical instruments to entertain the people in the refugee camps. The music is about the people and their story. Keep on keeping on Reuben and the Refugee all Star Band. You bring joy with your music wherever you go.

Posted in Inspirational Videos | No Comments »

Randy Pauch Post and Update

May 10th, 2008: Vroom!
	For Mother’s Day, we managed to arrange to have Jai get away for a night in a local hotel, where she was able to sleep in until 9am; a truly rare treat for a mother of three little kids! We also took a spin in a “kit car” of a 1965 Shelby Cobra.

Posted in Courage, Heroes | 54 Comments »

Have the Courage to take the First Step

Have you heard of Britain’s Got Talent, which our American Idol evolved from? This video is of Paul Potts, a mobile phone salesman with a big confidence problem. Amanda (our version of Paula) said “I think we have a little lump of coal that is going to turn into a diamond.” Paul Potts went on to become the winner, all the while working on his confidence. The first step he took was a great sign of Courage we can all learn from, for look what he accomplished in his life. The gift he came here to share with the world could just as easily have been lost, had he not stepped forward.

Posted in Inspirational Videos | 1 Comment »

Something Divine

I found this post by Zafzen on Ode magazine - an online community for intelligent optimists. Great space to play around and expand the mind. You will find this post at www.odemagazine.com. These words are absolutely beautiful and embody my thoughts and feelings of life right now.

Something Divine

But who knows what happens behind these determined illusions of life? Slowly and quite unknowingly we are carving our path that takes us to that elusive valley where our dreams shine fulfilled. Gently wandering in the ethers are our thoughts about to become. Hidden around the corner of a little time is that quietly meandering river and our rendezvous with destiny. The skies are wide open with our hopes of a sunny day, waiting for only a smile of acknowledgment, a trustful surrender to some playful wind. An abandonment, to allow our miracles to take place.

“We have come a long, long way. It has been an arduous journey. And suddenly we have come to have a glimpse of the dawn, heard the songs of the birds, and smelled the fragrance of the flowers. First we cannot believe it can be true.”
posted by zafzen on 5/25/2008

Posted in Thoughts | No Comments »

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day to each and every one of you. To me this day is about gratitude to so many people throughout history. Thank you to all the veterans. This day is also about looking forward to peace throughout the world. I would like to share something I read at www.history.com about this day.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation’s thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America’s Wars and stop by the Veterans Forum message boards to share your views with veterans, their loved ones and fellow history buffs.

If this holds any interest to you, go to www.history.com where you can leave a message for the veterans, or their families. Whatever you do today, I send you peace.

Debra

Posted in Courage, Heroes | No Comments »

Be Nobody But Yourself - E.E. Cummings - Wear Your Hat

E.E. Cummings wrote long ago, that most people struggle to be who they truly are day in and day out. We seem to shape shift into whatever is needed by different people and situations throughout the day as we wear our different hats. In fact if you ask 10 different people to describe one person to you, it is a good chance that you will get 10 different answers. Those who really are authentic and know who they are, living out that truth are in the minority. I think it is time to be you, all the way, every day.
What do you say? Try it out. Take off all the hats you wear and put on the YOU hat. Leave it on no matter what. It may not be easy, especially at first. The hat may be lopsided, itchy, bent, or falling off, but it will get much more comfortable the longer you wear it. After awhile you will forget it is even on as you move through your day as your true authentic best self, never in need of another hat, because yours is a perfect fit. I think your hat is beautiful and so is mine.

“To be nobody but yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight - and never stop fighting.”

E.E. Cummings
1894-1962, Poet

Posted in Quotes that Rock, Thoughts | 4 Comments »

Jim Rohn - What choices are you making?

Jim Rohn is one of the leading motivational speakers in the world, a philosopher and entrepreneur. He is very straightforward. I love this message he gives. I expand on these words of Jim Rohn in my new e-book “Living in Courage” which will be offered free to you in June of 2008. Think about this message, as it is vital to your success now and in the future you create for yourself.

“What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our
life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it
all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our
mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new
activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life
change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month,
or next year.

“We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And
if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us
uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over
labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and
doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while
we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As
Shakespeare uniquely observed, “The fault is not in the stars,
but in ourselves.” We created our circumstances by our past
choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to
make better choices beginning today.”

Posted in My Stories | No Comments »

Courage Under Fire - Professor Liviu Libresco

This is not a new story, but one that needs to be remembered. Professor Liviu Libresco saved the lives of 22 students at Virginia Tech on April 16th 2007. His story is proof that ordinary people do extraordinary things and become our heroes. As quoted by Rabbi Shea Hecht, “Professor Libresco lived through dictatorship, war, hate and discrimination and did not allow these things to stifle him. He drew strength with tolerance and integrity, with love, compassion and a burning desire to change this world to one of hope. If you were faced with this decision, what would you do?” That is very compelling question. I am sure everyday 22 people think of Professor Lebresco with love and gratitude, knowing he changed the course of their lives through his courageous act of love.

Posted in Heroes, Inspirational Videos | 1 Comment »

David A - When You Believe

Who knows what Miracles you can achieve when You Believe. This song gives me chills when David sings it. If you are having a rough day or feel defeated, listen to these words and feel the passion, the purpose this song carries. I send this song to you. What is your message - how will you deliver it to the world? You do have one you know, just look inside and believe.

Posted in My Music | No Comments »

Meeting Stella McCartney

Stella was born in 1972 to former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, and it would be easy to believe she enjoyed a rarefied childhood. You would be wrong, however. Unlike most celebrities, the McCartneys thrust their children into the thick of the real world. Brought up without nannies and bodyguards, they learnt that true security comes from a loving family and loyal friends rather than infra-red gadgets. Stella was educated at the local state school in East Sussex, and washed dishes in a local restaurant to earn the money to buy the clothes she wanted.

Posted in My Stories | No Comments »