Coach K from Duke has inspired me in my work. His love for development and mastery of the game of basketball drives me to be the best and most winningest coach I can be. Coach k inspires because he proves that you can be a family man and dominate effective Head Coach!!
My Dad inspired me to pursue a position in employee benefits. My comfort zone was to stay in a similar job that I had in accounting at the time. Well i loved it and expanded over time into HR generalist work but always loved Employee Benefits. I now work with Member benefits for a health plan but still enjoy helping friends and family with any employee benefit advise.
The librarian of my city. She’s the reason I’ve studied and now I do this job. Her passion inspire me every day. Since I was 16 my dream was to become a librarian, thanks to a stage I did for school in the library of my city.
I’m so grateful to have met a person like her that showed e taught me the right path for me.
Depends on what we think of as our work, for starters. Some of my work is being a mom, some of it is being a friend, wife, engaged resident of my community, and then there’s the stuff I get paid for. Luckily my inspirations have helped me do a better job of all of these since I’m all of these people at once.
Mom comes first on the inspiration list. I only wish I had told her that more often when she could understand me. I couldn’t know that dementia would steal her mind long before she died. I’ve shared this post before; it sums up a lot http://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-i-came-to-be-bike-advocate.html.
I had some especially inspiring colleagues when I worked in higher ed. A while back I went through my Facebook connections to these fine people and wrote them notes to tell them how much working with them had meant to me, and how things they taught me still show up in my life. We need to say things to people while we’re still alive that we would say at their memorial services.
When I moved into the world of bike advocacy I received the gift of getting to know many leaders who were people of color standing up and speaking out in a realm that has been overwhelmingly the province of white men. Their courage and honesty have given me so much inspiration.
I have been so, so fortunate. My purpose in life is founded in paying it forward.
I love reading your blogs and about your Mother Barb. In so many ways my Mother taught me about diversity and inclusion and now I work for a wonderful health Company that is hugely into that. I know now why I love it so much and fit in so well : )
“We don’t have to pretend to be fine when we are not. We don’t need to push through and be strong. Gratitude is a soft landing place that requires us to be honest, open, and willing to look at everything we’re facing and not turn away.” Alex Elle
What a powerful quote and definition for gratitude. It is also a very good definition of presence. When I am grateful, being present becomes much easier.
Now on to today’s question. Being born just 6 1/2 months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor meant I spent my infancy and early childhood without a father. He was in the Army Air Corp and stationed in Europe. The Army really didn’t want its soldiers to be married in those days and families had few benefits. I witnessed my Mom with two small children supplement our income by washing and ironing other peoples laundry. She also turned our living room into a sleeping room with bathroom privileges to garner much needed income.. We entered our home via the back door–a home she made a down payment on by selling my Dad’s old truck.
My Mom, my brother and I all slept in the same bedroom and that left the kitchen for her to drag in the old ringer washer and two large tubs for rinse water. The ironing board was always up in one corner and clothes lines ran back and forth across the ceiling so she could dry clothes when the winter winds and snow made it impossible to dry them in the sun.
I learned my work ethic from my Mom and though many of my jobs have not been the most interesting and rewarding, I was inspired at an early age to give them the best I had to offer.
Your Mom sure was a strong woman and an inspiration. You sure had a time of it as a child with a wonderful Mom at your side. Thank you for sharing this story of your life.
I wrote about my mom too, Carol. My dad was also in the Army Air Corps as a bomber pilot in the European theater. I’m a “late in life baby”, as the usage was then, and my siblings have a 20-year span from oldest to youngest. When my dad came home my parents first lived with his parents (not an ideal situation). Dad secretly built a tiny home for them that Mom didn’t know he was working on, and surprised Mom with it. When she described it she said she could stand in one place and answer the front door, back door, and telephone, all while she stirred dinner on the stove.
I have been inspired by so many people.
Friends, employees, clients, and workmates,
have all shown me how to be resilient and
push through obstacles and challenges
with humor, kindness, and grace.
I haven’t always been receptive to these
lessons and I have not always appreciated
these connections. And the truth is, I have
also found inspiration in their tragedy’s and
mis steps. Sometimes just seeing this,
inspires me to do better and try harder.
I enjoyed reading people’s comments, about specific people who have inspired us, and in finding out more about what others here on this site, do and have done in their lives.
I continue to be inspired by my teaching colleagues at the elementary school I work in. Deep dedication and commitment to students and the school community is evident all around me at work. Carrie, one of the Kindergarten teachers works tirelessly to give students what they need. Sitting in on her careful, kind and thorough parent conferences has been a privilege for me. Even when I know she struggles with aspects of the curriculum, and the academic demands on young children in this day and age, she keeps going.
Our school the Maria L. Baldwin, is named after a black principal of our school in the early 1900’s. Almost unheard of in a majority white school. The poet, e.e. cummings, who attended the school had this to say about Maria Baldwin: she was “blessed with a delicious voice, charming manners, and a deep understanding of children,” …. “from her I marvellingly learned that the truest power is gentleness.”
How beautiful! thank you for ALL you do and for supporting the staff as well. Not an easy job this day. Everyone thinks they know what is best in education but fewer and fewer are entering the profession because all the demands and criticts. A noble profession. I thank all the teachers ( I am married to the most amazing now retired high school teacher) that are still in the classroom and doing miracles every single day.
Many people in the educational area. Maria Montessori, was a leader whose method and theory helped me help lots of young ones. Later on I was introduced to the works of Orton and Gillingham, who to this day inspire me to help struggling reading students.
Most people inspire me in one way or another. My journey here on earth is a constant learning process and I need many teachers. May I be wise enough to receive their wisdom.
I was a registered nurse for 25 years with a Diploma and Associate Degree before going back to school for my BS, MS and PhD. My first position as a staff nurse in Pediatrics…my head nurse was a beautiful single, Irish Catholic woman. Her name was Alice Danahy and she had trained at Boston Children’s Hospital. She was a wonderful woman and a wonderful nurse. She said to me on many occasions..”you should go back to school- get your BS”. Going backe to school was not on my list…I had a hard time the first time! For whatever reason, I identified with Alice, I was quiete a bit younger (a brand new graduate nurse to her being a seasoned nurse and the Head Nurse)…she was one I looked up to and to this day I will never forget her. ..she died way too early…of breast cancer. I was an operating room nurse at the time of her surgeries …and was with her for her two major events. When I went back to school, I thought of her often…and to this day; I remember her. Another was a great doctor I worked with in Somalia, Dr. Frank Timmermans…who at a time was the Health Minister of the Yukin, Canada. He was a grand man..and also inspired and encouraged me to return to school at the old age of 43! Frank also left this world at a very young age…Frank died of a brain tumor in his early 50’s with three grown children and three young children who were not yet in school. We are never too old to learn and move on. I thank those who mentored and inspired me. Hopefully I have done some good during my lifetime.
Henry Rivera, Paul Miller, Duane Mott. Leo Chavez, Juan Lopez. Mike Sanderson and other people of agriculture, farmers and ranchers. The collective experience from all whom I gleaned proper ways to raise animals, raise vegetable gardens, and farm in the short growing season and generally harsh environment at 7900 feet in the San Luis Valley. I thank them all.
My friend Nancy inspired me to run the non-profit event that I was in charge of for 10 years.
A former boss in my previous job inspired me to be a good leader, which I strive to do in my new role as restaurant owner and front of house manager.
Lesley Fightmaster inspired me to deepen my yoga practice, and I am forever grateful for her channel on YouTube and personal responses when I emailed over the years before she passed 2 years ago. Her light lives on!
I am inspired by people who work so-called “marginal work,” meaning low pay, and sometimes doing hard, dirty, yet necessary work, who somehow find ways to be kind, generous, and friendly to those around them. These are the people that sooner or later we all depend on, doing jobs that most of us say we wouldn’t do. Whenever I encounter them I slow down, observe their work, engage in chatter, and say “thank you, for your work.”
You are so very kind, Nannette. Truth be told, I played hooky for a week in part because I was super busy last week, and because I wanted to see if I’d miss sharing each day as I’ve done for nine years now on this site. It was good to know that I missed sharing, and equally good to know that I was missed by some. It’s an honor, actually, so thank you, Nannette!
Thank you, Josie.
You know, sometimes when I say “thank you for your work, which I try to say to everyone who does something for me, the professionals like doctors, technicians, and other high wage earners, nod and just say, “My pleasure.” But those in low paying wages, when I say “Thank you for your work,” often times these folks look at me somewhat surprised, puzzled, even shocked, and after a moment, their eyes glow, and they say, “You sir, are welcome.” And that my friend, speaks volumes.
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Coach K from Duke has inspired me in my work. His love for development and mastery of the game of basketball drives me to be the best and most winningest coach I can be. Coach k inspires because he proves that you can be a family man and dominate effective Head Coach!!
Everyone who comes in is inspiring, each one who shares her or his being here together. I am deeply grateful for all of them. Thank you.
My Dad inspired me to pursue a position in employee benefits. My comfort zone was to stay in a similar job that I had in accounting at the time. Well i loved it and expanded over time into HR generalist work but always loved Employee Benefits. I now work with Member benefits for a health plan but still enjoy helping friends and family with any employee benefit advise.
The librarian of my city. She’s the reason I’ve studied and now I do this job. Her passion inspire me every day. Since I was 16 my dream was to become a librarian, thanks to a stage I did for school in the library of my city.
I’m so grateful to have met a person like her that showed e taught me the right path for me.
My dad. He taught me the value and discipline of doing hard, honest work.
Depends on what we think of as our work, for starters. Some of my work is being a mom, some of it is being a friend, wife, engaged resident of my community, and then there’s the stuff I get paid for. Luckily my inspirations have helped me do a better job of all of these since I’m all of these people at once.
Mom comes first on the inspiration list. I only wish I had told her that more often when she could understand me. I couldn’t know that dementia would steal her mind long before she died. I’ve shared this post before; it sums up a lot http://biketoworkbarb.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-i-came-to-be-bike-advocate.html.
I had some especially inspiring colleagues when I worked in higher ed. A while back I went through my Facebook connections to these fine people and wrote them notes to tell them how much working with them had meant to me, and how things they taught me still show up in my life. We need to say things to people while we’re still alive that we would say at their memorial services.
When I moved into the world of bike advocacy I received the gift of getting to know many leaders who were people of color standing up and speaking out in a realm that has been overwhelmingly the province of white men. Their courage and honesty have given me so much inspiration.
I have been so, so fortunate. My purpose in life is founded in paying it forward.
I love reading your blogs and about your Mother Barb. In so many ways my Mother taught me about diversity and inclusion and now I work for a wonderful health Company that is hugely into that. I know now why I love it so much and fit in so well : )
Thank you Robin Ann! She stays alive in my memory.
“We don’t have to pretend to be fine when we are not. We don’t need to push through and be strong. Gratitude is a soft landing place that requires us to be honest, open, and willing to look at everything we’re facing and not turn away.” Alex Elle
What a powerful quote and definition for gratitude. It is also a very good definition of presence. When I am grateful, being present becomes much easier.
Now on to today’s question. Being born just 6 1/2 months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor meant I spent my infancy and early childhood without a father. He was in the Army Air Corp and stationed in Europe. The Army really didn’t want its soldiers to be married in those days and families had few benefits. I witnessed my Mom with two small children supplement our income by washing and ironing other peoples laundry. She also turned our living room into a sleeping room with bathroom privileges to garner much needed income.. We entered our home via the back door–a home she made a down payment on by selling my Dad’s old truck.
My Mom, my brother and I all slept in the same bedroom and that left the kitchen for her to drag in the old ringer washer and two large tubs for rinse water. The ironing board was always up in one corner and clothes lines ran back and forth across the ceiling so she could dry clothes when the winter winds and snow made it impossible to dry them in the sun.
I learned my work ethic from my Mom and though many of my jobs have not been the most interesting and rewarding, I was inspired at an early age to give them the best I had to offer.
Your Mom sure was a strong woman and an inspiration. You sure had a time of it as a child with a wonderful Mom at your side. Thank you for sharing this story of your life.
I wrote about my mom too, Carol. My dad was also in the Army Air Corps as a bomber pilot in the European theater. I’m a “late in life baby”, as the usage was then, and my siblings have a 20-year span from oldest to youngest. When my dad came home my parents first lived with his parents (not an ideal situation). Dad secretly built a tiny home for them that Mom didn’t know he was working on, and surprised Mom with it. When she described it she said she could stand in one place and answer the front door, back door, and telephone, all while she stirred dinner on the stove.
Such a beautiful story, Barb. “Thank you!”
I have been inspired by so many people.
Friends, employees, clients, and workmates,
have all shown me how to be resilient and
push through obstacles and challenges
with humor, kindness, and grace.
I haven’t always been receptive to these
lessons and I have not always appreciated
these connections. And the truth is, I have
also found inspiration in their tragedy’s and
mis steps. Sometimes just seeing this,
inspires me to do better and try harder.
I enjoyed reading people’s comments, about specific people who have inspired us, and in finding out more about what others here on this site, do and have done in their lives.
I continue to be inspired by my teaching colleagues at the elementary school I work in. Deep dedication and commitment to students and the school community is evident all around me at work. Carrie, one of the Kindergarten teachers works tirelessly to give students what they need. Sitting in on her careful, kind and thorough parent conferences has been a privilege for me. Even when I know she struggles with aspects of the curriculum, and the academic demands on young children in this day and age, she keeps going.
Our school the Maria L. Baldwin, is named after a black principal of our school in the early 1900’s. Almost unheard of in a majority white school. The poet, e.e. cummings, who attended the school had this to say about Maria Baldwin: she was “blessed with a delicious voice, charming manners, and a deep understanding of children,” …. “from her I marvellingly learned that the truest power is gentleness.”
How beautiful! thank you for ALL you do and for supporting the staff as well. Not an easy job this day. Everyone thinks they know what is best in education but fewer and fewer are entering the profession because all the demands and criticts. A noble profession. I thank all the teachers ( I am married to the most amazing now retired high school teacher) that are still in the classroom and doing miracles every single day.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of your school’s history.
Many people in the educational area. Maria Montessori, was a leader whose method and theory helped me help lots of young ones. Later on I was introduced to the works of Orton and Gillingham, who to this day inspire me to help struggling reading students.
Most people inspire me in one way or another. My journey here on earth is a constant learning process and I need many teachers. May I be wise enough to receive their wisdom.
I was a registered nurse for 25 years with a Diploma and Associate Degree before going back to school for my BS, MS and PhD. My first position as a staff nurse in Pediatrics…my head nurse was a beautiful single, Irish Catholic woman. Her name was Alice Danahy and she had trained at Boston Children’s Hospital. She was a wonderful woman and a wonderful nurse. She said to me on many occasions..”you should go back to school- get your BS”. Going backe to school was not on my list…I had a hard time the first time! For whatever reason, I identified with Alice, I was quiete a bit younger (a brand new graduate nurse to her being a seasoned nurse and the Head Nurse)…she was one I looked up to and to this day I will never forget her. ..she died way too early…of breast cancer. I was an operating room nurse at the time of her surgeries …and was with her for her two major events. When I went back to school, I thought of her often…and to this day; I remember her. Another was a great doctor I worked with in Somalia, Dr. Frank Timmermans…who at a time was the Health Minister of the Yukin, Canada. He was a grand man..and also inspired and encouraged me to return to school at the old age of 43! Frank also left this world at a very young age…Frank died of a brain tumor in his early 50’s with three grown children and three young children who were not yet in school. We are never too old to learn and move on. I thank those who mentored and inspired me. Hopefully I have done some good during my lifetime.
Nannette, Love reading about your nursing journey. My Mother was a nurse also.
Thank you, Nannette. That is a wonderful reflection.
Nannette, You are truly a giver who has and is making a difference.
Henry Rivera, Paul Miller, Duane Mott. Leo Chavez, Juan Lopez. Mike Sanderson and other people of agriculture, farmers and ranchers. The collective experience from all whom I gleaned proper ways to raise animals, raise vegetable gardens, and farm in the short growing season and generally harsh environment at 7900 feet in the San Luis Valley. I thank them all.
My friend Nancy inspired me to run the non-profit event that I was in charge of for 10 years.
A former boss in my previous job inspired me to be a good leader, which I strive to do in my new role as restaurant owner and front of house manager.
Lesley Fightmaster inspired me to deepen my yoga practice, and I am forever grateful for her channel on YouTube and personal responses when I emailed over the years before she passed 2 years ago. Her light lives on!
Daily I am inspired by my patient’s endless strength and courage, perseverance and persistence, along with their inner hope and wisdom.
I am inspired by people who work so-called “marginal work,” meaning low pay, and sometimes doing hard, dirty, yet necessary work, who somehow find ways to be kind, generous, and friendly to those around them. These are the people that sooner or later we all depend on, doing jobs that most of us say we wouldn’t do. Whenever I encounter them I slow down, observe their work, engage in chatter, and say “thank you, for your work.”
Kevin, A heartfelt thank you goes such a long way.
So happy to see you are “here” again!! We have missed you! and we have missed your wise and helpful reflections.
You are so very kind, Nannette. Truth be told, I played hooky for a week in part because I was super busy last week, and because I wanted to see if I’d miss sharing each day as I’ve done for nine years now on this site. It was good to know that I missed sharing, and equally good to know that I was missed by some. It’s an honor, actually, so thank you, Nannette!
Good to read your reflections, my friend Kevin.
And good to be here, Joseph! Thank you.
Often I do the same thing, Kevin. Nice to have you back via your written reflections. 🙏
Thank you, Josie.
You know, sometimes when I say “thank you for your work, which I try to say to everyone who does something for me, the professionals like doctors, technicians, and other high wage earners, nod and just say, “My pleasure.” But those in low paying wages, when I say “Thank you for your work,” often times these folks look at me somewhat surprised, puzzled, even shocked, and after a moment, their eyes glow, and they say, “You sir, are welcome.” And that my friend, speaks volumes.