I'm really interested in what inspires you. The "whoever happens to happen across this page and feels inspired in one way or another" you.
I want to invite you to email: whatareyourinspirations@gmail.com, and submit a poem/song/picture/video/anything that you find inspiring. However you interpret that. And please share this with others. I look forward to seeing what unfolds...
[Your name will be included with your submission, unless otherwise noted.]
After a bit of a hiatus, I am back, with festive wishes for a happy 4th of July. In celebration of this day, I'd like to share some stories of celebration:
In this time of year when feasting and celebrating is in full force, I'd like to share some stories of inspiration:
First, from our contributor, Lauren, NYC, the story of how strangers can become friends, through the aid of a ball pit:
Second, this lady shows that at age 98, you can still be feisty and firey.
Third, this nurse discusses the biggest regrets that people have had in her nursing career, as they sit on their deathbed, inspiring us all to go for what we want in life!
And lastly, the story of a "modern family", showing the way in which love is love is love.
Hope everyone is having a feast of a time out there!
It has been quite some time since my last post. Having journeyed from AIDS Walk to Handybook, from Philly, to NJ, to BK, and "from" and "to" so many different destinations...it felt like it was finally time for a new blog entry.
And this piece, which really captures the humanity in our world.
And, the NYC Marathon, which I had the pleasure of watching from my street yesterday-- so many determined runners, racing past, with crowds of people yelling for them.
I've often thought about friendship, and how, once upon a time, friends were just strangers. All of these posts relate to the notion of humanity, and the way in which we really are connected. Fascinating stuff.
Today I watched the speech made by Malala Yousafzai to the UN on July 12, 2013. She survived a gun shot wound from the Taliban in her home country of Pakistan, after fighting for education for everyone. This attack has left her with continued determination to advocate for women's rights and education. She's only 16 (she made her speech on her birthday, in fact!), yet she speaks like a true leader in civil rights.
She states, "Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first."
I am in awe. I encourage you to watch her speech:
And that's inspiring enough to stand alone. Looking forward to seeing the work that this young lady continues to take on in the world.
Thank you, Malala, and Happy Birthday!
Cheers to education, courage, and taking on change at a young age,
Before delving into the inspiration of our universe currently, I'm going to share from my own life about the inspiration of this walk. From carting stands up Manhattan streets, to visiting Duane Reade stores, to fielding questions in the office as a receptionist, to the Day of the Event, it was an honor to be a part of this campaign for the last few months.
On May 16, 2013, 30,000 people gathered in Central Park and trekked willingly through pouring rain to raise money for direct services for those living with HIV and AIDS.
Among our special guests was Alex Newell, from Glee, whose song spoke to the power of this walk:
People gathered from all over the area, bringing together a vibrant community of support (which was appropriate, considering the theme of "community"!).
And then, hours later, the results were revealed:
WOO HOO!
Not bad, eh?
I am so proud to have been a part of this campaign.
And now that AIDS Walk is done, I have time to share some awesomely inspiring stories!
Here are a few to get started today:
In response to THIS, (a ridiculous letter from the CEO of Abercrombie, which stated that "fat" people don't belong in his clothes)
This post is a little different, but I've been feeling the need to share my own thoughts, so wanted to here:
For the last few weeks, I have been walking around New York City promoting the AIDS Walk by foot, toting a full cart filled with supplies to businesses.
Yesterday was our final day on foot. I worked from midtown to South Ferry, pushing what felt like 75lbs (or more!) down the street, dropping off "pin-ups" at Duane Reade stores around the city (they are our presenting sponsor). (Now when you go in Duane Reade, you can donate to AIDS Walk right at the register!) While I felt like quitting several times (especially when my wheels jammed), I made it through. Feeling grateful to be in a cozy house.
What inspired me through that day?
Well, this did: (I listened to it on repeat at various points on my way to work, and it got me pumped for the day!)
Never have I felt more grateful to not have to navigate Manhattan streets and subways with a cart.
Hello friends, It has been awhile since my last post...but alas, here I am! I lost track of updating, when in the midst of the winter months, but now here we are, in the beginning of spring...and there is lots of inspiration to share all around! Lauren Davis, New York City, NY, was kind enough to share a slew of inspirations over the last few months...so even though I wasn't active on here, she was active in sharing lovely moments for the blog! So this post is dedicated to each of these nougats, each ingredient contributing to a delectable soup, if you will. Enjoy, and thank you, Lauren! First, the last week of October was memorable this past year, not just for its celebration of Halloween, but for Superstorm Sandy's arrival. Check out Buzz Feed's collection of moments that demonstrate that though the Big Apple is big, it has a strong sense of community.
Next, Lauren shared this video, in which the caption reads: "We asked moms if they could go back to before their first baby, what would they tell themselves. These are their answers."
And then, there's Ellen. Who is always inspirational.
Whether in an early stand-up performance (check out the last 2 min if you don't wanna watch the whole thing):
Or, more recently, when she featured this wonderful duo on her TV show:
Thanks for all these gems, Lauren! I will be back soon with more inspirations. Wishing you all a good night!
3.) This great artist from America's Got Talent and The Glee Project created a music video with her girlfriend (also from The Glee Project!), as a way to share their relationship with the world. A heartfelt testimony to their relationship, with a lovely message about love knowing no bounds:
In the whirlwind of starting work, I lost track of you, blog! I am back, pulled here by the winds of so many delightful postings on Facebook. I found myself thinking, "Wow, I'd really love to collect all of these musings and put them somewhere..." and then remembered, "Oh yeah! That's what I have a blog for!!" Ha. So here I am. The weather is frostier, the leaves are changing, The World Series is happening, and an election approaches. And with all of these changes come more inspirational moments...
And finally, a preacher, whose speech sounds anti-gay, but turns out to demonstrate the strong link between anti-gay and pro-segregation rhetoric. So cool:
...and so many other powerful stories, images, and videos continue to show up on my Facebook newsfeed. I will continue to share!
As I ran through the sheets of rain today, I felt grateful for the warm 80 degree air, thinking, "Wow, this still definitely feels like summer..." thinking about the times in months to come, when rain will fall, but it won't feel quite so refreshing. Though the weather hasn't shifted much, something else has. This time of year always has a buzz to it, like we're all worker bees getting our jobs and goals ready for the upcoming months. I think back to years past, as I loaded up my backpack with new school supplies, hopeful and nervous for the year ahead. This morning, I did just that. I thought about what books I'd like on the shelves of my therapist office in the elementary school where I'll be working this year, and what outfit I'd like to wear for my first day of school. As I approach another school year, I'd like to leave all of you with a powerful quote that I witnessed while visiting social work schools, before I began my journey towards social work, two and a half years ago. It was plastered on the wall by the building, and I jotted it down, wanting to implant in my memory. It reflects the work I care about, and the work I am about to do...and I think it speaks to the larger message of what I hope our country will commit itself to, though I'm sure the next couple months will be very telling. I also have had this quote on my facebook profile since I saw it written those 2.5 years ago, and I feel ready to replace it with something new, knowing that I will carry this with me as foundation for years to come.
And with that, I share it with you:
"When I see brokenness, poverty and crime in inner cities, I also see the enormous potential and readiness for transformation and rebirth. We are creating an art form that comes from the heart and reflects the pain and sorrow of people's lives. It also expresses joy, beauty, and love. This process lays the foundation of building a genuine community in which people are reconnected with their families, sustained by meaningful work, nurtured by the care of each other and will together raise and educate their children. Then we witness social change in action." -Lily Yeh
To all you worker bees out there, I wish you well on your journeys. And I will be in touch as I move forward with mine.
Adieu!
Anna
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Hello there blog-o-sphere!
It's been a full month, and here we are, on August 1st.
The commentators' voices fill the apartment, as I watch the swimming excitement of the Olympics. In honor of the Olympics, I have some fun clips/tidbits to share with y'all:
1] First, Gabby Douglas. Incredible, beautiful, Gabby, who now is one of the "Fab Five" to have won the gold for the USA women's gymnastics team:
While I think that independence is important and glorious, I also really like the idea of interdependence. Today I look forward to carousing with friends from all parts of my life at a feast later on this afternoon, as we eat grilled delicacies and chat on a West Philly porch, reconnecting, and celebrating our lives together. This day, to me, then, is more about being connected to others--interdependence-- and less about independence.
In celebration of interdependence, I invite you to look at this clip from 5/23/12, which reflects not only glorious creativity and spirit, but also great interdependence-- interdependence of the people who worked hard to put this project together, but more than that, the interdependence of this wonderful community of people, with so much love to share, all in celebration of one couple:
With happy wishes for a lovely day of interdependence, I wish you well on your fourth of July!
A few summers back, my friends and I would listen to music and dance around in our college apartment. Recently, one of my friends posted this video to my Facebook wall, and it brought me back to those lovely days:
And not only was I able to remember our fabulous, memorable dance parties, as we reenacted this video...but I was able to be reminded that this woman (and her friend) are who I aspire to be when I get older. Their energy is infectious, their dance moves creative, and their presences are truly inspirational! Also, it should be noted that this song is sung by Ben Kweller. The star of the video is his grandmother, who was 83 at the time. Knowing this, I fell even more in love with this video.
Thank you, Jimmy, for bringing these ladies back into my life. (And this song, which I adore.)
A fabulous young woman who lives in Arizona, who I grew up with in Bergen County, NJ, is about to begin an important journey around the United States.
She is a talented photographer, capturing the feminist movement through her photos. After taking pictures of feminists and posting them online, her success has grown, and she has felt inspired to take this project to a national level. She plans to travel, taking pictures of feminists around the country, and creating a book from her travels. Talk about inspiration! Her words are inspiring, as she discusses her project. Her project is inspiring in its unique and empowering approach to feminism. And her journey as a photographer is inspiring, as she delves into this work, jumping into this large-scale adventure! Read more about her project here.
And with that, I bid you good night.
Sleep well, and I will (hopefully) be in touch soon.
The weather is sticky and hot, and I sit baking away in my un-airconditioned apartment in Philadelphia. Today, I am posting two stories (submitted by Sally T., San Francisco, CA):
In a world that continues to struggle with homophobia and anti-gay sentiment, when people still post horrifically closed minded and offensive views on a happy Oreo ad, celebrating pride:
Inspiring for the beautiful articulation of what it's like to be young and living in West Philly. Inspiring also in the beauty it captures of Philadelphia as a city, its imperfections contributing to its authentic character. Also inspiring because it is written by a fabulous writer, who also happens to be a dear friend of mine from Haverford. This piece will likely be one of countless future ones. Please read: http://therumpus.net/2012/06/the-last-city-i-loved-philadephia/
A story about a young woman who dreamt to create a school for girls in Kenya, that could provide not only a promise of education, but access to improved healthcare, clean water, and a way to "fundamentally change the way people would value girls and women" (p. 4).
Submitted by Lauren, NYC, who has worked at Chapin School in Manhattan, the school mentioned in the article that partners with this project. Very cool!
