Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Beyond the Books: My Inspiration

Every Thursday Karen of KissinBlueKaren hosts Beyond the Books, at which time participants are given a topic and asked to write about it on their own blogs. They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Today Karen's Beyond the Books topic is about Post four things that are currently inspiring you.


1. My daughter inspires me to be a better person--a better woman really, to live in the moment, enjoy the small details, to take time out to play, and appreciate what we have. It comes in the form of her smile and laughter, even her tears. She forgives so quickly and accepts me for who I am--loves me for who I am. It comes out in her words and her actions. There are days I wish I was more like her. Days in which she reminds me of what is most important.

 Mouse Riding Her New Bicycle

2. My husband's ability to make me laugh as well as be honest with myself, how supportive he is and the time he takes to listen to me (even when it's to rehash a book I have just read to get my thoughts about it out of my head), the notes he writes on my sandwich bags that I find when I sit down at work to eat lunch, the way he makes me feel beautiful even when I'm feeling at my worst, and how good he is with our daughter are just a few ways in which my husband inspires me. My husband is also my best friend.

My husband and I at Disneyland in October 2015

3. My mom is an amazing woman--so generous and industrious. She is extremely active, volunteers to tutor, substitutes as a teacher and acts as an aide for a special education class at the school she used to teach at full-time, she travels and seems to live a full life. I can only hope to be like her when I am her age--and wish I had even half her energy and enthusiasm for life in the present day.

My mom reading to Mouse - December 2015

4. Books. For those of us who are readers, this one is rather self-explanatory, I imagine. Books have opened so many doors for me, challenged me, gave me pause for thought, helped me cope during the darkest of my days, cheered me up, made me sad, given me release and hope, and helped me see what was, what is, and what could be. Books have inspired me in a myriad of ways. Books are so much more than just words on a page.

Float at the Rose Parade 2016

What or who inspires you most today?


© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

34 comments:

  1. Great list! I love that you included your Mom. My Mom is finally coming to visit me this month and I can't wait to see her.

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    1. Karen - Thank you! I hope you have a nice visit with your mom! Mine returned to her home on Monday. I probably won't get to see her again until March.

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  2. Wendy, this is truly lovely. I concur on all your inspiration points. In fact, I could have written this. I no longer have my Mom, but she was such a great part of my life for a long, long time. My daughter is grown, but she's become a friend as well as a daughter and she keeps me honest. And my husband, well, he always has been and always will be my best friend. Books are a given. This is such a tribute to all those you love.

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    1. Kay - Thank you. I hope my mom is around for many more years--and that she remains healthy. I hope that I have the kind of relationship with my daughter when she's grown that you have with yours. I feel so lucky to have married my best friend. I am glad you have that kind of relationship too. :-)

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  3. That's a great list and oh, what a lovely post, Wendy! Yes, my daughters, my mom and my husband play a huge part in my life, and not to mention books too. My mom was no longer around, and till this day I still miss her and will think of all the advice she gave me whenever I feel lost or something.

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I am sorry about your mom. I know the day will come when my mom will not be here, but I hope it doesn't come soon. I can't imagine life without her.

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  4. You have such a lovely family - I can see why they inspire you.

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  5. This is such a lovely post and beautiful tribute to what inspires you. I especially want to live in the moment more - I think children really know how to do that well.

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    1. Pat - Thanks! It can be so hard to live in the moment. Sometimes I have to remind myself to do so. We're just so connected with everything because of technology. It makes it harder in some ways.

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  6. What a lovely tribute to the people in your life who inspire you to be your best! I would have chosen the same three people in my own life, so this resonates so much with me. And books, of course -- I can't imagine life without them.

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  7. What a wonderful post! The picture of Mouse with your mom is especially lovely. How great that you have such a close relationship with your mother and it's much better being married to your best friend!

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    1. Katherine - Thanks! I like that photo too. They have so much fun together. Yes, I feel very lucky to have married my best friend. :-)

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  8. What a great post, especially what you said about your daughter. There are many times when I also wish I was more like my daughter.

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    1. Melinda - Thank you! I'm glad I am not the only one who feels that way. :-)

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  9. I love it too! It has made me think of who what why inspires me. I would like to join this meme---maybe next week. I don't know if I have enough time this week.

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    1. Debbie - Thanks! I hope you do join in next week! I think it's a freebie week, and so you can choose your own topic. :-)

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  10. PS Nice husband paragraph! And I so want to go to Disneyland again.

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    1. Debbie - We love going to Disneyland. Our annual passes run out early this year, and we won't be renewing them. I'm sad about that, but I know there's a lot of other stuff we will be able to do--and it won't cost an arm and a leg to do it. LOL

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  11. Such a lovely post! My family is always an inspiration to me as well so I understand completely. This post just made me smile. You have a wonderful family! What a great meme!

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    1. Samantha - Thank you! You have a wonderful family too. We are both very lucky.

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  12. My mom is my inspiration too- and she's also a special ed teacher. Whenever she retires, she'll have too much time on her hands- she spends most of her weekdays and weekends dreaming up lesson plans that will engage her kids.
    ~Litha Nelle

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    1. Litha Nelle - My mom has been retired for about six years now--she's definitely not one to do nothing. :-)

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  13. You have a lovely family and I am sure you inspire them as much as they do you. What a lovely way to start the year blog wise :)

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    1. Mandy - Thank you. That's what my husband says, but I'm not sure I believe him. :-)

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  14. What a beautiful post and a beautiful family you have Wendy. Kids have a way of making us appreciate the simple pleasures.

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    1. Diane - Thank you! Yes, children do have that gift, don't they?

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  15. Such a lovely post, Wendy! And, great pics. Thank you for sharing them and the stories of your loved ones.

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  16. Wonderful, inspiring list! And great photos.
    My hubby and kids inspire me too. And my mom does too.

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    1. Naida - Thank you! I got lucky in the family department, that's for sure.

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  17. My top four would be the 'same'. My kid, my hubby, my mom, books. Like you, I wish I had the energy to keep up with my kid, but that's what happens when you wait to have kids, I guess ;)

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    1. Stacy - I imagine you are right. We may be wiser (at least that's what they say), but we aren't as energetic. :-)

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