Who told you that you could?

last night i talked to a dear friend. i've known her for 12 years now. it was good to laugh with her and to talk about life with her. it got me thinking of how many wonderful friends i have and all the wonderful things they are doing:

doctors

writers

activists

artists

scientists

mothers

fathers

singers

editors

designers

i started thinking "who told them they could do that?" "who told them that they could do whatever they wanted to do?" "who encouraged them?" "who told them to go for it?"

and that's what i'm asking you, dear readers. i'm interested to know who told you that you could live your dream?

{i really do want to know who has inspired you. i know that we are here for each other, and that many of us have been motivated and inspired by others. i think this is a wonderful thing that we have. so, please, give a shout out to those who have helped you along the way}

photo, yet again, by cig harvey...i'm feeling lazy today and went for an easy image. but it sure is lovely, don't you think?

Howard Zinn Voting For Nader!

This just in: Howard Zinn has switched his support from Obama to Nader. He called his support for Obama a "mistake." Zinn is most known, I think, for his book The People's History of the United States. Here's a little more about him:

Howard Zinn is a historian, playwright, and social activist. He was a shipyard worker and Air Force bombardier before he went to college under the GI Bill and received his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has taught at Spelman College and Boston University, and has been a visiting professor at the University of Paris and the University of Bologna. He has received the Thomas Merton Award, the Eugene V. Debs Award, the Upton Sinclair Award, and the Lannan Literary Award. He lives in Auburndale, Massachusetts.

Do We Have Any Idea?!

Joan of Arc

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Henry David Thoreau

Rosa Parks

William Wilberforce

Susan B. Anthony

Lately I've been taking quite seriously The Power of One...I think we so often doubt ourselves and the power we have to make things better. All of the people I listed above drastically changed the world we live in for the better. All of them had their vices as well. Isn't this proof enough that we don't have to be the smartest, richest, most popular person to make change? All we have to do is stay at it. I talk to so many people who feel they can't make a difference so they do nothing. This is funny logic to me. Of course nothing will get done if we all sit around doubting ourselves. So I am challenging all of you to take action for all of your causes and beliefs. Do you have any idea how much good you can bring to this earth? I do. So do it.

This I Believe

I have missed hearing one of my most favorite programs from NPR for the past few months, This I Believe. I love the idea behind this project. Last night I was at a Yoga workshop where it was brought up that after food and shelter the need to be heard is most essential to our existence. This program is based on a radio program from the 1950's. I'm oh so glad they revived it, and are connecting all of us. Go to the site to browse the essays. They are absolutely amazing. Some make you cry, really. Some make you nod your head and quietly 'uh-huh'. Others make you a little uncomfortable or outright mad. I love them all.

Here's a little excerpt from a woman who lives in Colorado:
I believe in the human soul and its ability to connect with others. I believe in the transformative power of a single moment. I believe one of my life's most important lessons came when I least expected it.

AMEN!