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• Travis Roy - 11 Seconds... 26 May 2009 | 12:57 pm

  
  Travis Roy is a young man who was paralyzed just 11 seconds into the first shift of his first hockey game for Boston University. I read his book "Eleven Seconds" in college and was completely blown away by his story of courage and faith.
  
  Everything he worked for all of his life was taken away in 11 short seconds, an absolutely devastating set of circumstances. However, Travis did not lay down and take it. He picked himself up and kept moving on. His book is an amazing story that will leave you wanting to live every second of your life to the absolute fullest and help you to realize that things may be tough at times, but there is a great chance that no matter how bad your situation may be, someone else has gone through and even more importantly, overcome, worse.
  
  The clip below provides a great glimpse into Travis's life. Just listening to the narrators words gives you one of those "pits" in your stomach. Listen to Travis's words and pick up his book...truly moving.
  
  "I found in life there are times when we choose our challenges and there's other times when challenges choose us"
  -Travis Roy
  
  

  

• Adventures Of An Incurable Optimist: Michael J Fox 14 May 2009 | 4:10 pm

  
  I don't know how many of you caught the Michael J. Fox special on ABC last week, but it was very moving. Here is a guy who literally had it all and one day woke up with what he terms a "hang-over and a twitch in his pinky finger" to find out he had Parksinson's disease. The way he lives his life today as the disease takes over his body, is awe inspiring.
  
  The special takes a very interesting look at optimism and what it consists of. There are many moments during the special that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up and cause you to literally stop for a moment and thank God for the fortunes that surround you in your life day in and day out.
  
  There is a highlight clip that I found on youtube, which I posted below, but I highly recommend visiting ABC Website and following the instructions below to watch the 1 hour special. It is important that we take the time to re-ignite the fire within us as often as possible.
  
  1. Go to www.abc.go.com. (Click the link above!)
  2. Click on “Free episodes” on the top menu bar.
  3. Click on “Michael J. Fox” in the list of free programs.
  
  

  

• Stand By Me... 21 Apr 2009 | 11:50 am

  
  As you know, this site is designed to bring about inspiration in whatever way, shape of form it may come in. Thus far we have concentrated on individuals, however I was recently sent a link to "Playing for Change". The site features the video below, showcasing various artists from around the world who perform their amazing talent in the streets. Take 4 minutes and watch this video and listen closely to the words. I challenge you to not feel completely inspired as well as united with people world-wide.
  

  

• The Last Lecture - A story that will ignite the fire to live within all of us... 7 Apr 2009 | 7:25 am

  
  Randy Pausch is the author of New York Times best-selling book "The Last Lecture". This awe inspiring real-life tale takes you inside Randy's life after he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
  
  The shear zest this man has for life, even as he approaches death, is enough to spark something inside every man, woman, and child who reads this amazing book. "The Last Lecture" is the by product of an actual lecture Randy gave at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a professor of computer science and human-computer interaction.
  
  Randy's lecture was written for his 3 young children, but instantly began making it's way around the world on the internet. Knowing that he would not be there to watch the children grow nor have the ability to provide them with guidance, Pausch's idea was to leave something they could turn to at different points in their lives for support.
  
  Sadly, Randy Pausch died of complications from pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008.
  
  The lecture is available to watch below, but I strongly suggest sitting down and reading the book, which can be bought anywhere books are sold.
  
  

  

• A Dose of Inspiration for All - Monroe Mann 23 Mar 2009 | 6:43 pm

  
  I was really struggling at the beginning of this week - the weekend had left me with a lack of motivation. Just going into work was a chore, which is not that atypical, but this week was worse. I felt as though I was moving through a lake full of sludge.
  
  Determined to push through these lows, I turned to the internet and www.thebigidea.com in particular. Here is where I found Monroe Mann's blog: The Lost Art of Creating Your Own Opportunities. It was just what I needed. His words, especially his Break Divers Creed: No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets. really hit home for me.
  
  I am reading a lot and what I am coming to learn and hear is that it is about all the little steps you take, in the end they create a path and usually the path leads you to exactly where you wanted to be when you started. You just never knew all those little steps would take you where you wanted to go. Read the blog - check out his book: Guerilla Networking , I have not read it yet, but it is on my list. When I do, you can be sure to see my review here.
  
  
  Check out Monroe on The Big Idea (click)
  
  
  As always, be sure to share your advice with those who need it at TipTopAdvice

  

• Steve Jobs Commencement Speech - the Pinnacle of Inspiration 14 Mar 2009 | 1:58 pm

  
  Steve Jobs, the CEO and technology guru behind the ever popular Apple brand, delivered the commencement speech at Stanford in 2005.
  
  I have read thousands of inspirational quotes and listened to hundreds of motivational speakers, but nothing has touched me the way this speech has. Look at who Steve Jobs is, what he has accomplished, and the impact he has had on the world and listen to his words describing where he came from and how he got there. Steve Jobs dropped out of college and started a business in his parents garage. That business is now one of the biggest, most influential and successful companies in the world!
  
  It's funny, people do not seem to realize that every person out there (for the most part) started out as a nobody with nothing. Steve Jobs is no different; his life started with his mother giving him up at birth and look how far he made it.
  
  If you have hit a wall and are finding it hard to push through it or jump over it, just take 20 minutes and listen to Steve Job's words - they will give you the courage and will to push on and keep going. This is true inspiration.
  
  If you have some advice for people on how to get inspired or stay inspired, please share it here or even better, head over to TipTopAdvice and help others who are looking for advice