Never Alone

You never have to stand alone as one stone within the field.

Riley's Walk

"One person can make a difference. In fact, it's not only possible for one person to make a difference, it's essential that one person makes a difference. And believe it or not, that person is you." -Bob Riley

My wife Laura and I are lucky enough to be friends with the well known and talented singer/songwriter Mara. Mara is better known to her friends as Marjorie Whitley and all of us love her music, her talent and really her passion for music. She also has a deep compassion for others and that comes through in her music and in her actions.

Since I like to write about each of us making a difference in the lives of others, today is certainly no exception. Mara is one of those people who makes a difference in the lives of others. And as you may notice, she is not a large organization with hundreds of people. She is one person, doing what one person can do and that is making a difference in another persons life.

One of those people happens to be Riley, the son of a good friend she grew up with. Her friend now lives in northern Virginia along with her family and of course a wonderful young boy named Riley.

Riley is an active, playful and very much the little boy any of us would expect. The only difference is that he has Down Syndrome. And on Saturday, October 20th, Riley and some 2000 of his friends will be participating in the 2012 Northern Virginia Buddy Walk at George Mason University. Rain or shine, it is going to be a fun festival with live entertainment including Chris Burke, moon bounce inflatables, pony rides, cartoon characters, a petting zoo, face painters, an exhibitor tent, food vendors, police cars, fire trucks and much more.

Now you might be thinking Fairfax, Virginia is a long distance away and what could you possibly do? The thing you can do is easy, it is small, but it can make a huge difference in the lives of people you will never meet. And that is to donate a few dollars to the Down Syndrome Association which will help provide important services that enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.

It does not take hundreds, thousands or millions of dollars from you, although very large checks are accepted and very nice to get. What it does take are a few dollars from individuals wanting to make a difference in the life of another. There is no payback, no neat gift for participating or even a framed certificate of appreciation.

What you do get is a tax deduction for the donation, the warm feeling of having made that difference and the biggest gift of all, that picture above of Riley's smiling face etched into your mind.

Do something for someone else today and smile knowing you had an impact.

Stay inspired my friends!

Forward in Life

"Positive anything is better than negative nothing." -Elbert Hubbard

When I travel, it can be difficult to find the time to write these articles. but I want each of you to know that my thoughts are on you. I haven't forgotten why I write this blog. It is because each day one person is able to find one thing in my words.

One thing that helps them rediscover the strength inside that will allow them to gain a better life. One word jumps out that will help them move forward to succeed at whatever it is in life they want to accomplish.

By keeping a positive attitude about where you are currently in life means accepting your current condition. Doing so will free up your energy and resources to make a change if that is what you want. You do not have to resign your self to the life that you live. There is an ability inside of you for so much more.

Remember that the life you have is just that, your life. But if you want more from it, do not waste your time worrying and complaining about where and what you have. Take it for what it is, a current place and time in your life. It will free your mind to work out those dreams and visions circling within you.

Use forward thinking and send yourself forward in life with a positive attitude. It certainly beats wallowing in self-doubt and self-despair. Create change in your life by knowing you have the power to change your circumstance.

And above all, stay inspired my friends.

One Thing

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." ~Albert Camus

Today marks the anniversary of the horrible tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. There will be many television programs, news articles, blog posts and most importantly memorials today. I grieved for those affected and are still impacted by that day.

Those people that survived, the loved ones of those that did not and everyone involved, life has carried on for them. Each has found a way to cope, survive and get past the horrors of that day.

But like so many tragic events that have occurred in our history and personal lives, today marks the one thing we as Americans should remember. And that is the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Stay inspired my friends and say a small prayer for the survivors and the loved ones of those lost.