Inspiration

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Relay For Life – The Silent Lap

Relay For Life

I have been asked to read the following poem that I wrote at the Gardner, MA Relay For Life 2014.  I am extremely honored and excited.  Cancer has taken the lives of several relatives and friends and I have several relatives and friends who are also amazing survivors.  Hope, Pray, Fight for a cure!!

 

Relay For Life – The Silent Lap

More than a thousand people
On a quarter-mile track.
Gardner, MA
One of the largest Relay’s in North America.
So many people
Focusing on how cancer has touched their lives.
The silent lap begins.

Thoughts turn
To celebrating the Survivors;
Our loved ones,
Other people who have shared their stories,
The differences they have made
In other people’s lives
Through their journey,
All they’ve done since their diagnosis.
We are filled with gratitude
That they are still with us.
Silence.

The walk
Turns to a shuffle
As the track is filled,
One by one by people
Who are filled with sorrow and hope.

Silence falls over the large crowd
Except for a few teenagers
Playing basketball away from the track,
Unaware of the depths of what they miss.
Even the children are silent.
The tiniest of babies, are silent.
Memories,
Gratitude.
Hope.
Tears fall.
Silence.

We remember those
Who have lost their battle with cancer.
Luminaries line the track…
There are far too many and we wish there were none.
There are decorated in honor of…
Relatives,
Sisters, brothers, parents;
Grandparents;
Aunts, Uncles, Cousins.
We look for ones we recognize.
Friends
Coworkers,
Acquaintances,
Those who have touched our lives,
Loved and cared for us,
Made us laugh,
Made our lives better because they were here.
Memories.
Silence.

People standing
On the side of the track,
Missing their loved ones,
Praying for the survivors,
Hoping for a cure.
We are all united as one.
Thousands within a half mile radius
Contributing to the search for a cure.
Hopes and prayers
That no one else they know
Is added to the list they honor
At a fundraiser.
Silence.

In honor,
In memory,
In celebration of life,
With hopes for a cure.
Silence.

 

Please “Like” below if this has touched your heart and “Share” by using the buttons below if you feel others will be touched as well.

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The Universe – A Poem

I have been trying to be quiet and listen more often lately, especially at night before I fall asleep.  I used to do this when I was younger and that was my greatest time of inspiration.  Many of my poems came to me quickly and were unstoppable.  I would jump up and write them down and be done in minutes.

Recently, I was somewhere in that in between state where I was not fully asleep but not fully conscious.  I was asking questions.  I know that a part of meditation is putting all thoughts out of your mind but phrases and pictures kept popping into my head.  I tried to quiet them but they were too persistent.  I grabbed my phone and wrote the following within minutes.  I didn’t change it because of the way it came to me.  It came to me as “The Universe” but could have easily have meant “God.”  I do find it quite ironic that I was trying to listen and was being told to do so when I couldn’t quiet my mind.  I hope you enjoy the result…

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The Universe

The universe
Is within us all
It’s the grass, cut short
And the trees grown tall

The voices that echo through
The tall mountain heights
The baby bird
Who attempts his first flight

The seen and unseen
Music’s beautiful sounds
The universe is
The energies that surround

There’s chaos in the Universe
But it is also surreal
It changes
With the moods we feel

Be silent
And quiet your mind
Take deep breaths
And give it some time

Let the universe, as it is
Speak directly to you
Do not question
Accept it’s clues

There’s so much to hear
And so much to learn
Stop talking for a few
It’s the Universes turn

I have some of my other poetry here in this blog as well.  My book of poetry, “Heart Versus Mind – Words That Touch Your Heart” by Missy Bell,  is also now available on Amazon by clicking the above link.  You may also enjoy other posts on this page that offer tips and strategies for increasing your peace and happiness.  I hope you will become one of my newest followers.

Thank you for stopping by The Peace And Happiness Project!

Missy Bell

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Need EXTRA Time?

indexI can’t believe it’s that time of year again… already!!!  Where does the time go?

Time.  That’s the discussion for today.  This week most of us in the U.S. will be turning our clocks back an hour, on Sunday evening at 2am to be exact.  You know what that means, 1 extra hour to…  hmmm… what will you do with that extra hour?

You could go to bed and wake up at your normal time feeling more rested for getting that extra hour of sleep.  Perhaps you would choose something a little more exciting instead.  Wouldn’t that be the perfect night to plan a Halloween party with friends?  The time difference would enable you to stay out a little later and still get up at the same time. How about staying up late with your love or your kids and watching an extra movie (if you can stay awake through it.)

Just remember though, if you have to work on Sunday, be extra careful and set two alarms. You wouldn’t want to show up to work an hour early!!  I’ve done that.  That hour belongs to you!!  Don’t lose it.

I’m guessing you have unique ideas as to what you would do with an extra hour.  I’d love to hear it.  I’m looking forward to your incredible suggestions in the comment section.

If you are excited about having this extra hour, and you would love to have MORE time in your life on a daily basis, check out the link below for some amazing suggestions on how you could save time!  20 Ideas That Give You More Time in Your Day.

Thank you as always for stopping by.  Please leave a comment below, not only as to what you will do with that hour but as many options as you could think of to give our readers new ideas.

Missy Bell

*Photo from communities.washingtontimes.com
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Does Procrastination Get The Best Of You?

We often go through our day-by-day routines and get so caught up in our daily lives and the distractions that surround us, that when we look back, we realize we’ve missed something.  When we procrastinate on what needs to be done for things less important, we find that we miss out on opportunities because we are just too busy.

1378095_10151712087208456_1825873859_nAs time progresses we realize that, even with good intentions, we may not be where we want to be.  We find that regret sets in and we start beating ourselves up for things we have not accomplished.  In reality, when we were in those moments of our daily lives we were doing the best with what we had and what we were able to do with the time allotted.

It’s often that time becomes the enemy.  We never seem to have enough of it.  I know the older I get, the less hours I feel I have in a day.  It seems that if there was a way to stop it, for whatever we needed it for; if there was a way, we would have already found it.  All it seems we can do is recognize what it is we feel we are missing or need to accomplish, manage time better and find a way to fit it in.

Recognizing it before we fall too far behind is very essential. The best way to do that is to evaluate more instead of just going through the day-to-day motions.  I know, it sounds so much easier than it actually is.  It’s important to slow down daily and make it a routine to check in with yourself.  Scan your day and acknowledge what went well, what didn’t and what you missed that could be scheduled the next day.  Write it down then give yourself a time frame, maybe even set an alarm. Then take solid action.

Some days will seem so out of control with everything that is expected of us.  It’s important to not be too hard on yourself.  Make every effort to do your best in every moment.  When you do your best, there should be no regrets.

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That’s Inspiring

I have asked this question before through Facebook and seem to get the same answers from a high number of people. They say that their children inspire them.  A friend of mine posed the same question to her friends and received a slightly different set of comments but it brought me back to the answer I received on mine.

I think it’s fantastic that your children inspire you.  Our children keep us young at heart and motivated to stay good people, amongst other things.  But it is important to think about what else inspires you.  What happens when your children are grown and have lives of their own?  You will need to be sure that you have many sources of inspiration to keep you going.  You should be sure that you are close to the top of that list.

When you draw from several sources, your options are wide open.  After giving it thought I came up with my own short list.  It is incomplete at the moment because I know I need to give it further thought.

InspirationI am inspired by challenges in my life that force me to look inside for strength.  I seem to thrive on the personal challenges that I take on, the challenges where I force myself to step outside the box and say, “I’m not really sure that I can do this,” then I do it. I’ve learned to stop looking for outside motivation as often, I turn within.  I find ways to pull my own energy into higher thought and search my spirituality for inspiration and encouragement.  When I need it externally, I read different authors such as, Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor, Don Miguel Ruiz, Anthony, etc.  I talk with my family, they know me well enough to give me strength in just the right areas when I need it.  I am inspired by dreams of my future, friends, reminding myself of what I’m grateful for, other people’s accomplishments, music, love, hope and happiness. 

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have more than one source of inspiration and to know what know what they are.  It will help you get out of situations when you find you’re having a bad day.  Make your list, include as much as possible.  You can write it or create a collage.  Keep your list with you.  Draw from it on your down days or when you need a pick-me up.  Reading or looking at it will trigger happier thoughts to help you move forward.

If you can create your own inspiration, you have truly won.  Be sure to find ways to be your own hero and inspiration.  There is nothing truly like it.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please check out the list of other inspirational posts in the side bar.

Missy Bell

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Faith And Inspiration To Lead You To Success

“All thoughts which have been emotionalized (given feeling) and mixed with faith begin immediately to translate themselves into their physical equivalent or counterpart.” – Napoleon Hill

What are you telling yourself that is stopping you from success?  What are those internally spoken words that you have faith in, that are stopping you from getting through a tough situation?  What if you could change your belief, have faith in yourself; what would you accomplish?  Have you ever stopped to think about this?

This quote takes me back a month or so to when my husband and I did the Spartan Race in Vermont.  The major obstacle was to climb the Killington Mountain Black Diamond 3,000+ feet to the peak.  I’m glad I didn’t know that when we got there.  It took everything I had, or so I thought, to climb to the last plateau.  As we rounded the last curve I realized it was not the last,  There was a vertical climb, straight up to the summit.  I thought we had already reached the summit!  After several hours of climbing already, I had given it all I ad and I didn’t have any more.  I took one look at that vertical insanity and said to my husband, “there is no way I can do that… <short pause> but I WILL!”

Inspiration

It was in that moment I had to flip the switch in my head and change my disbelief to faith, faith in myself, in my body and in my mind.

As I ascended the steep rocky climb to the top, I would tell myself, just take 20 steps then you can rest.  I took 20 and added 10 or more.  My heart was beating through my chest, my body covered in dirt, sweat pouring down my face and my legs were ready to give out from under me. I was more than twice the weight of 95% of the participants.  I would take a break for a few minutes, listening to the encouragement of people as they passed me by.  I knew they could cheer me on all day, that’s not what was going to get me to the top and back to the bottom, it was my own thoughts.  If I didn’t believe I could, I knew I would fail.  The recurring exclamation that I heard was an, “I PAID FOR THIS?”  It wasn’t just me.  Even the athletes were struggling.

I had to dig deep, sometimes with every step, keeping the attitude and faith that I could make it. Not only did I make it to the top, I made the descent, having to crawl backwards down very rocky terrain.  My husband, who is always my biggest supported confided afterwards that once he saw that last climb, straight up, he too thought there was no way I was going to make it to the top. I am not sharing this for the accolades, I am hoping you will draw inspiration from this story.  It was not my physical ability that got me to the top, or back down.  It was nothing more than the belief that I could and one baby step at a time.  That is what drove me.  I If I can do this, with the power of thought, what can you accomplish?  It is as simple as having faith that you can succeed at whatever you set your mind to, whether it be a business venture, a physical adventure, or overcoming something that has struck you down emotionally.  You must have faith in yourself. Perhaps you are not aware of exactly what the path will look like.  It will take planning and effort but you must first believe.  Follow me here as I go into further detail of how to strengthen your beliefs in order to reach your goals. Thank you for stopping in today. Missy Bell

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My Top 3 Most Influential Authors and Lecturers

I wanted to share with you a bit of information about 3 people who have inspired me to be a better person and who’s quotes make me push myself harder, keep going and fuel my desire to continue helping other people.

zig ziglarBOB PROCTOR

Bob was once down and out in the 60’s  He had dropped out of school and was unable to find anything more than dead-end jobs until he came across Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.”  After following the information outlined in the book, he improved his standing in life and eventually his income topped the $1 Million mark.  He has been conducting lectures based on the book with added inspiration from Earl Nightingale, his real life mentor, for more than 40 years.  He wass the presenter of the book, “The Secret,” a book on The Law of Attraction.  He is the author of 39 books including, “101 Ways to Improve Your Life,” “Be a Magnet to Money” and “You Were Born Rich.”

3 Top Favorite Quotes from Bob Proctor

  1. “The only limits in our life are those we impose on ourselves.”
  2. “Most people are not going after what they want. Even some of the most serious goal seekers and goal setters, they’re going after what they think they can get.”
  3. “Thoughts become things. If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand.”

Zig Ziglar 2ZIG ZIGLAR

Hilary Hinton, “Zig” was born in 1926 and passed recently in 2012.  He was a very accomplished motivational speaker who focused on corporate training and personal development.  His program, “I CAN” is taught in more than 3,000 schools, and hundreds of businesses use his training and motivational materials. He was a top notch salesman earning one of the highest incomes in his field when he left to improve the lives of others by giving back his knowledge to help improve people’s personal and professional lives.

Mr. Ziglar has authored 26 books with titles such as, “Born To WIn – Find Your Success Code,” Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World,” and “Ziglar on Selling – the Ultimate Handbook for the Complete Sales Professional.”

3 Top Favorite Quotes from Zig Ziglar

    1. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
    2. “Don’t be distracted by criticism.  Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
    3. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Don Miguel RuizDON MIGUEL RUIZ

Don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers. His mother was a healer and his grandfather was a shaman.  He went to school to become a surgeon but after a near death experience, he started down the path of personal introspect.  After studying the art of ancient ancestral wisdom he became an nagual, a teacher who guides an individual to personal freedom.  His writings focus on ancient Toltec Wisdom.  I have read two of his books and I am now on a third.  They have been very instrumental in my life.  He has written 8 books so far.  My favorites are, “The Four Agreements – The Practical Guide to Personal Freedom,” “The Fifth Agreement – A Practical Guide to Self Mastery,” and “The Four Agreements Companion Book – Using the Four Agreements to Master The Dream of Your Life.”

3 Top Favorite Quotes by Don Miguel Ruiz:

  1. “When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.”
  2. “Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.”
  3. “Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.”

It was difficult to only choose 3 of each of their quotes that are favorites.  I have so many more.  There are a great number of inspirational authors and speakers out there.  I could go on and on.  The first two I just happened to have had the fortune of attending their seminars and lectures several times over a few years and their work has made a huge difference to who I am and the works of Don Miguel Ruiz have been my most recent influences.  I am grateful to all 3 of these men.

Who has inspired you lately?  What is your favorite quote that pushes you through your toughest times?  Please leave a comment below.

Based on their teachings, I have started writing quotes of my own.  If you’d like additional inspiration, click this link to read the list I compiled of my own 10 Quotes That Will Truly Inspire You ~ Missy Bell.

 

SOURCES:

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My Baby Girl

I wrote this poem about my niece, Stephanie when she was a baby.  I wrote it through the eyes of her parents.  This is one of the poems I’ve had published.  I hope you like it.

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MY BABY GIRL

A child so young in age

But in wisdom is growing fast.

I wish I could stop the hands of time

And keep her within my grasp.

There’s so much I’d like to teach her.

I’m sure I’ll have the time.

Down the road I’ll be proud to say,

“That little girl is mine.”

For now I watch her closely

As she slowly learns to walk.

It seems I know what she’s thinking

And yet she can barely talk.

I’ll try to teach her the best I can

To learn what’s right and wrong.

In years to come I truly hope

Her values will be strong.

In a few years she won’t be so young.

With her smile she’ll rule the world.

The men will think she’s a beauty

But she’ll still be my baby girl.

StephShe is grown now and her smile does rule the world and she did grow into a beauty.  She is also a wonderful young woman.  She is a nurse in the Neonatal Unit.  She is making a huge difference in the lives of those babies and their families.  I am so very proud of the woman she has become and I knew then that I would be.

If you enjoy this poem, I have published a book of my poetry called, “Heart Versus Mind: Words That Touch Your Heart,” that can be found on Amazon.com or Lulu.com.

Feel free to head on over to my other blog, Where The Ghosts Live ~ Missy Bell.  As always, thank you for stopping by.  Please leave a comment below…

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Taking Things for Granted

1378540_10151694935438456_596636773_nI was traveling down the highway today when I realized that this is the first year in many that I can actually recall enjoying the fall foliage.  I have been living here in New England since I was 5.  I suppose when you spend so much time around something that you become immune to it.  The realization makes me feel like I have been asleep for years, unconscious to my surroundings.

My mother loves to tell the story of when I was very young, most likely around 6, when we were in the car one October day and I said to her, in all my innocence, “Someone should tell God that he does a really nice job painting the leaves.”

I’m not sure what the cause was to heighten my awareness this year but I am grateful.  Perhaps it’s because I have been out in nature more or that I’ve been taking so many pictures.  Maybe It’s a part of my recent awareness in the here and now.

I started noticing the changes early on.  It started out as a few leaves and became gradual as the more healthy trees seem to stay green longer.  The colors vary and each tree is unique and magnificent in its own way.  It reminds me of us. How we go through phases in our lives where we feel like we are dying inside but everyone else still seems to see our beauty.  It’s still there.  The leaves may completely fall and the trees may seem bare, but it is not long before the flakes of winter arrive here in New England and the trees show their beauty as they stand tall, holding snow on each branch as if to say, “I caught this for your to admire.”  A sign of strength.  The spring comes and life returns as with us, the cycle of the things we go through in our lives.

Take time to notice the beauty in, not only your surroundings, but in others in your life as well.  Don’t take the beauty of others for granted, just because you see them all the time.

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The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

1658725282_8c2fe5b242_oIt’s time to start planning your vacation for next year.  May I suggest one with amazing beauty, history and adventure?  I lived in Albuquerque, NM for 3 1/2 years when my husband was in the military and had the opportunity to even work this festival which gave me the chance to see the beauty up close and personal.  I wanted to share with you a bit of the joy it brought us by informing you of what the event is about and some of the photos I gathered on the net.  Mine are all put away in photo albums from 19 years ago so they are a bit outdated.  I would love to go back.  This year’s event just ended last week.  I should have put this post together much sooner.

The picture to the left looks very similar to the tent I worked when I was there back in 1994.  I sold these beautifully handcrafted balloons.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – The World’s Premier Balloon Event has much to choose from over the 8 days it’s in town.

VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE BALLOON FIESTA

SOME OF THE SIGHTS YOU MAY SEE

Starting at 5:45 daily the hot air balloons are laid out and lit up while they remain on the ground.  It is quite a wonder to behold in the dark of the early morning hours.

morning glow 6a01157055b657970b0133ed765754970b-320wi

Opening ceremonies start at 6:45 followed by The Mass ascension at 7am.  The balloons take off in 2 seprate waves starting from one end of the field to the other.

balloons Mass-Ascension-2w 19091572 images

indexAlbuquerque Chainsaw Carving International, a side show to the balloons, brings artists from around the world.  It is a fairly new art form but the sculptures are incredible.  The carving show started at 8am this year and after they are done the show, the pieces are auctioned off.

Early in the week there are not as many attractions and they do vary so be sure to check the schedule before planning your travel.  A few of the shows that are mixed in are, The Fiesta of Wheels Car Show, Flying Competition, Concerts (The 2013 event hosted Darius Rucker), Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading, and more.

The vendor booths showcase amazing art talent, specialty foods and activities.  You may even get to have your picture taken in a gondola.

The Special Shapes took off this year on Thursday and Friday only at 5:45PM.  This is a MUST SEE event.  I remember taking my first born when he was a year and a half and he was as intrigued as we were.  It is a day, as a family we will cherish for life, even after 19 years!  Check out some of the shapes from this year:

special shapes 1 darth-photo BalFiestaShapes newmexico-albuquerque-balloons3-xl

The Night MagicTM Glow and the AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show, presented by Albuquerque Journal, are as equally amazing as watching them light up in the early morning hours but I believe they remain on the ground.  A fireworks show is included.

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In addition to the events listed, there is a great deal to see and do.  If you are there for the week,be sure to check out other attractions to visit in the area such as the Pertroglyph National Monument, Old Town, the town of Taos, Carlsbad Caverns or even take a drive around the back side and to the top of Sandia Mountain Crest.  Albuquerque has some beautiful attractions.

The Albuquerque Convention & Visitor’s Center lists the dates for 2014 to be October 4 – 12.  If you are interested, it is best to book as far in advance as possible.  Hotels and flights for this week fill quickly.  You can find great information on the Balloon Fiesta Website in the Sources section below that lists hotel, fights and accommodation information.

Feel free to share with the links below.  If you enjoy this blog, follow my on Facebook at Words That Touch Your Heart ~ Missy Bell.

Sources: