Motivational stories to share

Some best motivational stories to share below; so never give up in your life as all events happen for a reason to good!!!

Climb Every Mountain In Life
By: Sean Swarner
I'm actually the first (and only) cancer survivor to summit the world's highest mountain... Mt. Everest. When I was only 13, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and given three months to live. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Askin's Sarcoma. The prognosis was much worse as the doctors gave me only two weeks to live. Again, I survived.
Being the only person in the world to have ever had these two cancers, I really felt I should share my story to help motivate others and influence lives. On May 16th, 2002 at 9:32am, I became the first cancer survivor to summit Mt. Everest.
Since then, I have been lucky enough to reach the summits of three more of the world's seven highest peaks and have spoken internationally about my life and adventures to countless people and organizations. On the summit of Everest I brought a flag adorned with names of people who have been affected by cancer and left it on the top of the world forever commemorating the struggle of cancer patients worldwide.
I did the same to the highest point in Africa, Europe and just recently returned from 23,000-foot Aconcagua in South America! My ultimate goal is to climb the highest mountain on each continent AND trek to the North and South poles.
I am covering the globe with inspiration. There are plans for live chat sessions during the expeditions as well as TV spots and live summit bids from a number of the mountains! The reason for these expeditions is to inspire those affected by cancer (as well as anyone with a pulse!) to dream big and never give up.

NO EXCUSES, NO LIMITS.
By: Denny Chipollini
Over a decade ago, I experienced a series of life-altering events that started with a serious car accident I was involved in which severed both of my legs. Doctors reattached both legs, but my reattached left leg eventually had to be amputated due to massive injury and infection.
Today I refer to my accident and leg as "gifts" because these events helped me to change my life for the better! Two months after my accident and while I was undergoing one of 15 surgeries to try to save my leg, my wife was wheeled into the same hospital to give birth to our son, Nicholas. Doctors told me I would never walk again, but I refused to accept that diagnosis and instead started my own rehab with Nicholas as my main motivation to walk again. With a lot of sweat and pain I used visualization and what every exercises I could do will laying in a hospital bed.
Nicholas and I learned how to walk together, something I will never forget. 4 years from my accident I ran in my first 5k with the use of a prosthetic leg to thank all my family and friends that had supported me and my family through this difficult time. But this incredible accomplishment was soon overshadowed by devastating news about my son.
Nicholas was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis (NF). NF causes tumors to grow on the nerve endings of the body internally and externally as well. Lesions can be removed but usually grow back in clusters. There is a risk of developing optic gliomas behind the eyes and brain tumors, to names just a few of the possiblies. NF also carries along with it, learning disabilities, ADHD and Tourrette Syndrome as well.
I did a lot of soul-searching to find the positive in what was happening, and as a result I realized that I could share my personal story of confronting and overcoming adversity to inspire others, especially children, to overcome whatever adversity they may be struggling with. I also realized the media attention I attracted when I ran the 5k, so I decided to use my 'gift' that was given to me in the accident to run marathons to help raise awareness and funds to find cures not only for NF, but also for other childhood disorders, diseases and disabilities.
I also have a mission to educate people on these disorders, diseases and disabilities so understanding can breed compassion and acceptance. In 2001, in addition to running in the Olympic Torchbearers Relay in Philadelphia and the Paralympic Torchbearer Relay in Utah, I was told I was one of the few people to do so I also ran in the San Diego (2000), Pittsburgh (2001) and NYC marathons (2001), three marathons in 18 months, to get the word out to help children who need our help.
I have turned a dream of mine into reality by starting a non-profit organization called Generation Hope to put my dreams into action by inspiring and educating kids and adults alike to overcome adversity and accept diversity with "no excuses and no limits" (that's my motto for life!).
In May, I successfully walked and biked over 400 miles across the state of Pennsylvania (from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia) to share my message of perseverance and hope, and to model for kids and the country what it means to take action in your life to help others-it's my way of not just talking the talk but also literally walking the walk! I have been fortunate enough to receive many honors and awards including being an Olympic Torchbearer, UPS' Community Service Award, Ford Motor Company's National "Commitment to Kids" Award, "Distinguished Graduate" from the high school I went to and being featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles and on various news programs.
I am honored to be featured as one of the twelve inspiring stories in Montel Williams' new book, A Dozen Ways to Sunday, and I had the thrilling experience of being a guest on the Montel show. While these honors and awards mean a great deal to me, being able to present in schools and share with students my message is truly my greatest honor!
My motivational talks with kids in schools helps me to fulfill my commitment to making a positive difference for kids by letting them see what it means for one person to overcome adversity which we all face in one degree or another, by sharing with them the importance of accepting and celebrating diversity in themselves and others, and by motivating others to believe in themselves to achieve worthwhile goals and to find the hero within themselves.
And what is most exciting to me is that I am seeing my efforts pay off with the most important people in my life-my children-and the changes are especially evident with Nicholas. The past years in school were very difficult for Nicholas because his classmates were teasing him with names (with NF, some physical affects are freckling of the skin and so kids began teasing him by calling him names like "freckle boy" and "freakazoid"), bullying him, and isolating him from activities and friendships because of his differences. What's so unfortunate is most of us, regardless of the generation we grew up in, can probably remember kids in our classes that were different and rather than being befriended and seen as the heroes they are for what it takes for them to get to school and function at a level to keep up with others, they were instead teased, isolated and picked-on.
Part of my mission to is shift this behavior and it's happening with Nicholas! I have given talks in Nicholas' school to help his classmates understand his disorder and to challenge them to ask themselves if they would pick on someone who, for example, has a prosthetic or some other difference or would they instead befriend and help that person. With his classmates having a new perspective and understanding, Nicholas is having a great year in school and his grades and friendships are showing it! It's living proof that my message does have an impact on kids and it makes a difference, and it motivates me to continue sharing it with others.
I am committed to sharing with others my experiences so they can find ways to connect with the compassionate and inspired side of life without having to go through a tragedy. Now faced with another challenge due to a blood transfusion, I received after my car accident. I started a drug therapy, for hepatitis C, which can make me very sick for a year. It is a life-threatening ordeal, but I will continue to talk to kids. See I work best when I have a challenge in front of me. We use exercise as a family affair. My wife Suzanne, is an ACE certified trainer and along with training adults, she is working on fitness programs for children as well. Exercise and God's love has helped me to reach inside myself and in doing so I can now reach way beyond the stars. "NO EXCUSES, NO LIMITS."
I am a concerned parent, please help us to get the message out. This message is so important in today's world. My story and my son's story hits hard. Many kids have tears in their eyes and some have even passed out when I give my presentation. There is no tolerence for bullying or any other type of this behavior. Many people of all ages can be effected, although everyone can benefit from the message. If you think we can work together to help each other's causes, well lets do it. Thank you for your time and God bless.
Please visit Generation Hope's website at http://www.genhopeusa.org/.

Want More?
By: Sue Dickinson
Isn’t life fantastic? Even if there are problems at the moment, think of all of the wonderful gifts that surround us. We have the ability to visit museums and beautiful parks for little, if any, charge. We can attend movies and live shows for just the price of a ticket. We have the option to eat out at an unlimited number of restaurants, and choose from an almost obscene array of groceries at the corner store. And on top of all that, we have special people in our life that we can share our love and care with.
Let’s face it, when we compare our lives to what’s happening in the rest of the world, we’ve got it pretty good. Even just the fact that we have access to a computer places us in a tiny percentage of the human population.
But, does contemplating the wonderful blessings in your life just make you feel worse, or, at the least, a little uncomfortable? You are not alone. I have come to the conclusion that this happens because when we accept that we have it good (great even), we tell ourselves subconsciously that we shouldn’t want more, and we are held back from achieving everything we desire in life.
I remember when I was a kid the adults in my life always told me to "be grateful, because there are kids in (fill in the blank, latest starving, poor country being covered by the media) starving and you can’t even finish dinner", or some variation on the theme. To them, it was an attempt to get me to be thankful, but part of me began to believe that "wanting more" was a selfish and uncharitable thing to do.
I can’t lie, personal possessions are a big piece of the whole "wanting more" concept. With an absolute smorgasbord of stuff available to us, it is hard to sit back and say, "I’ve had enough". Do you remember Templeton the Rat from "Charlotte’s Web?" When Templeton visited the fair and saw all the wonderful food available to him (ok, it was trash, but he was a rat, after all), he couldn’t control himself. He ate and ate and ate until his tummy dragged on the ground and he could barely move. Hopefully, we are not so gluttonous for personal possessions. But having a certain amount of possessions is helpful and satisfying in our lives.
However, there is another element to "wanting more" that we face every day. This is the psychological "more." It is an undefined nagging in our soul to "do more," to "be more," to "make a difference." For the most part, we all go about our lives, doing our jobs, caring for our families, and don’t even recognize that the yearning to change is there. But, it is, just the same. So, although we may feel happy and content with our lives, there is always something gnawing at us, telling us there is more.
Each person experiences this emotional hunger differently. Maybe you wanted to change careers, but instead you took the "safe road." Maybe you have had a lifelong dream to skydive, but haven’t tried it because you are afraid of heights. Fear plays a big role in holding us back, and I have found that it is the activities that I fear the most that, if pursued, eventually lead to the greatest fulfillment.
For example, I have always been afraid of public speaking. I have chosen my career, my relationships and my lifestyle to avoid public speaking whenever possible. I’ve also stayed away from management, because I believed that I wasn’t "management material". While I find my life rewarding, you can imagine the roadblocks I have encountered with that sort of mindframe.
But, I finally faced my fear a couple of years ago and joined Toastmasters. If you are not familiar with it, Toastmasters International is an organization designed to help individuals become better public speakers, communicators, and leaders. WOW, was I intimidated the first time I got up to speak! Terrified doesn’t begin to define it. But, as with anything you work at, it got easier and easier to stand and speak coherently (if not eloquently). And now, almost two years later, I have come to realize that despite the fact that I may never be totally comfortable speaking in public, I can do it, and in a way that others will benefit from my message.
And although facing my fear of public speaking didn’t change my life by making me want to become Oprah Winfrey, it did change my life. First, I learned how much I like to prepare speeches (as opposed to delivering them), which started me writing again, something I haven’t done seriously since college. Second, I became an officer of the club and learned that I actually do have some leadership qualities, despite my previous misconceptions.
In short, facing a fear that I had opened new doors to me – but not in the direction I anticipated at all! While I have no idea where my newfound skills will take me in life, I am up to the challenge.
I’ll bet you are up to the challenge too! Although I don’t know what it is for you, I know that you will find it if you allow yourself to "want more." Because, I have finally concluded that the endless desire we all have for "more" isn’t because we are ungrateful for what we have or because we have a selfish need for the latest model car or more clothes. Instead, what we are searching for is the challenge itself!
I hear you. It’s challenge enough some days just to make it through. But, deep down, something is prodding you to go for it anyway. It is all part of our inner calling to "want more." Not more things, or more money (ok, maybe a little more money). But to want more of ourselves.
It has been said that all healthy people look for challenges. If you aren’t facing a challenge you are standing still. So join me! Let’s stop standing still and being spectators. Accept the challenge. Want more……of yourself.

Words of Wisdom
By: Catherine Pulsifer
Eighteen years ago, I hit a brick wall. I had a job I hated that was literally making me sick. My marriage was in trouble; my finances were a disaster; and, I lived many miles away from my family.
I felt I had hit bottom. The easy way out would have been to feel sorry for myself and blame the world for my misfortune, to moan and groan about how unfair life is.
Instead, I found my way to the public library and discovered a new world in the self-help section. It focused my energy on positive results, rather than on the "poor me" syndrome. I started reading books on setting goals, positive thinking, psychology, autobiographies, attitudes, and so on.
At that time, I started to collect quotes. I discovered that certain quotes made me stop and think; they made me challenge my beliefs, while others gave me hope.
Without realizing it, I was searching for answers. Why are some people more successful than others?
How do they cope with challenges? Other people had more serious problems than I did. How did they keep a positive attitude and overcome their problems?
Through all my years of reading and research, I found two consistent qualities of successful people: ATTITUDE, and GOALS.
ATTITUDE A "positive attitude" is definitely one of the keys to success.
My definition of a positive attitude is a simple one: Looking for the good in all circumstances.
Applying it to everyday life is not as simple as it seems. Some situations in life challenge us to see the good. For example, the death of someone close to us, a health problem, the loss of a job, a relationship that doesn't work out. It is difficult to maintain a positive attitude in these situations.
If you accept what has happened and search for the positive, you will be able to move forward in your life. By embracing this attitude, you eliminate the "poor me syndrome". Attitudes play a very important role in our lives.
How do you react when faced with: - change - challenges - failures - stress
--Change In today's society, change is constant. Although change has always occurred in every society, today it is much more rapid due to technological advancements and a global market.
If you resist change, you will face challenges on a daily basis. If you consciously refocus your attitude to see the benefits of change, your outlook becomes positive and life becomes easier.
--Challenges We all face challenges. How we react to them is what really makes a big difference. Some people overreact and make mountains out of the proverbial molehill. Facing our challenges head on and setting goals to take us through and beyond the challenge, helps us cope with the hurtles we all confront.
There is nothing worse than being unable to see light at the end of the tunnel. I have learned to focus my energies on solutions, not on the challenge itself. So often, I have seen people waste energy by moaning and groaning about a problem. Yet, if they just realigned their attitude and focused on the solution or on the opportunity, the challenge would not seem as big as they think it is.
--Failure How do you see failure?
If you accept failure as an opportunity to learn, it will change your whole perspective. Some people allow failures to stop them form ever attempting anything new. Rather than learn and move on, these people get stuck forever.
--Stress Today, we hear over and over again that people are stressed. Stress, however, is created by our attitude. How we perceive a situation and how we react to it is the basis of our stress. If you focus on the negative in any situation, you can expect high stress levels. However, if you try and see the good in the situation, your stress levels will greatly diminish.
I attended a course on stress where the instructor explained that we create our own "stressors". We actually create our own stress by our perception of events. Yes, there are external events that cause us concern, but how we perceive the event determines the stress we feel. That thought has stayed with me over the years. When I feel overwhelmed and my stress levels rise, I stop and step back from the situation and put the even in perspective. I always ask myself - what difference will this make in five years time? Most of the time, it will not make any significant difference in my life. Just answering that question helps reduce my stress level. For those events that will make a difference in five years, I reduce stress by focusing my energy on finding solutions.
GOALS I have a strong belief in setting goals. I set a goal 13 years ago for my professional career and surpassed it 5 years ago. I set a goal of writing a book with the quotes and stories I have been saving - I achieved that goal in 1998 when "Wings of Wisdom" was published. And after many, many redesigns of Wings of Wisdom 4 U! website, the goal of my own website has been accomplished. My goals kept me focused. As a result, you are now reading what was once only a thought, a dream!
Goals do work! The easiest way to set goals is to answer the following questions: - What is it I want to achieve? - When do I want to achieve it? - Where am I today land what action do I need to take to achieve my goal?
Write down your answers. Writing out your goals is important as determining what they are. You are committing yourself to achieve these goals, and, at the same time, sending a strong, positive message to your subconscious mind.
--What is it I want to achieve? There are various ways to determine this. One way to answer this question is to write down the things you consistently wish for. Be specific. For example, the type of job you want; how much money you want to earn; the type of relationships you want to have; where you want to live; the kind of house you want to live in; what type of car you want to drive, and so on.
Another method is to write goals by category: Career, financial, family, leisure, educational, vacation, spiritual, and so on.
-- When do I want to achieve it? There are two types of goals: - short term goals (1-2 years) - long term goals (5-10 years)
Your short term goals should support your long term goals. Let me point out, however, that over time, your long term goals may change. If so, adjust your short term goals to support your long term. Goals should be flexible, not carved in stone!
Having said that, the time period you give yourself to finish your goal is still important. Time frames help you stay focused by giving you milestones by which to measure your progress. By committing to a time frame, you are making a commitment to yourself. We can easily be side-tracked after we set goals. A written commitment will help keep you on track.
- Where am I today and what action do I need to take to achieve my goal? The most important step in goal setting is TAKING ACTION. You can decide on your goal and you can write it down, but unless you take action, the goal is useless.
In order to achieve a goal, you need to identify the actions you must take. For example, in what areas will additional knowledge be required? What areas will you have to develop or learn new skills?
As you work on your goals, you should also review your progress. I usually review my goals every six months. I determine if I am on track, if I need to make adjustments, and if my goals and time frames are realistic. By doing this, you are actually charting your own progress. It always gives me a sense of self-achievement, and allows me to renew my commitment to my future goals. If I am not on target, I make the necessary adjustments. The most important thing is that I am moving forward even if I am not always progressing at the speed I originally planned.
Goals allow you to see light at the end of the tunnel, whether the light be a new career, a promotion, a prosperous business, or advanced training. You may not be where you want to be today, but by setting goals you are changing your life and moving toward where you want to be.
When people find themselves in situations with little or no hope, they give up. They convince themselves they are satisfied with where they are, or what they have.
Goals give us hope! For me, goals are my road map to the life I want. They have helped me accomplish things I once thought were impossible.
What is interesting about goals is that once you are committed and start to implement your plan, you will make important discoveries just by keeping a focus on attaining your desired result.
My hopes in sharing my story with you is that it will make you stand back and look at your attitude and your goals. My background is a simple one, I grew up in the country, we were never without, but there was no money for extras. My education - a graduate from high school, it was years later when I upgraded my education by taking classes at night and by correspondence. My own accomplishments proved to me that "attitude and goals" do make a difference in our lives! It can make a difference in your life also!

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