She is moving down there with her husband and they asked me to come along. Since one-way plane tickets are outrageously expensive, I'm going to take a bus a back. I've been told that will be an experience, and you know what, I love experience ;).
Anyway, on to inspiration:
1) Anthony Joseph Mangan, because last week was Father's Day and he is one of the most inspirational forces in my life.
My dad wearing a tux at the annual Parade of Lights, because people who announce the parade over the radio should be dressed in tuxes.
2)
Charlie Brown
"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back."
“I've developed a new philosophy... I only dread one day at a time.”
"I just laughed about it, ... I just thought if you're going to align yourself with somebody, it might as well be champions. He made his own decisions, not doing something just because you have to do it. He had his own sense of purpose."
3) Speaking of champions, lately I've been thinking and preaching the philosophy of Muhammad Ali.
Ali told the world he was the greatest. He believed he would be the world champion and never once doubted that idea. He never said could or maybe, he just said he would. And he was the world champion and is one of the greatest athletes of all time. I used to think Ali was cocky, but as I've matured I've realized what that kind of confidence can do. The first step in accomplishing anything great is to believe in yourself, and he did. It probably wasn't easy and some days quitting was probably easier, but he rested in that belief and never gave up until it happened. It's a lesson I've been pulling from a lot lately and it inspires that I too can be the greatest.
4) Prairie Sunsets
Nothing sets my heart on fire like a prairie sunset. Over a bed of green crops, the sun takes on this luminosity as it retires from our eyes for the evening. It can't be compared. They usually encourage me to write, paint, sing, dance or just be happy.
5) “This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun, and animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men; go freely with the powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and mothers, of families: read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life: re-examine all you have been told at school or church, or in any books, and dismiss whatever insults your soul.” - Walt Whitman
6) Being silly with people who love me for all that I am
7) Fireworks
I love fireworks, but probably won't see any this year on Independence Day. Bursts of light through the air seem to give me this "I like life" attitude. When I was living in Pocatello, the Fourth of July was a miserable day for a variety of reasons, but those sparkles gave me a bit of hope. I returned to Poky the following year for the Fourth and it was a wonderful patriotic celebration. Here is video from last year's fireworks show. We enjoyed the lights from the hill in my former editor's backyard. Commentary brought to you by Kellis, Cy and myself. I miss them. Oh, and Osa is a dog.
Have a wonderful week.
H