Showing posts with label inspirational. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspirational. Show all posts

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Touching Time-Lapse Of Rescued Puppy Growing Into Adulthood

When filmmaker Dave Meinert rescued a sick four-week old Great Dane puppy named Pegasus from an careless breeder, he wasn’t expecting her to live very long. After all, it had a pigment deficiency defect that leads to deafness and blindness, and most of its siblings were either dead or deformed. Meinert decided he would care for Pegasus the best he could and document her life every day for as long as she lived.

The short video above is a time-lapse showing Pegasus growing from a puppy into adulthood while doing her daily exercises on a treadmill with a camera mounted nearby. Many months into the project, Pegasus is still alive and well. “I still don’t know how long she is going to live, but right now is pretty great,” Meinert says.
On 9:18 AM
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Saturday, May 2, 2015

Project Unconditional: Stunning Photographs Of Senior Dogs And Their Owners

Dogs have always been central to Jane Sobel Klonsky’s personal life, but only after a 38-year career as a sports and commercial photographer has she merged both her visual and canine passions.

Her “Project Unconditional” is an attempt to document, through photos and short stories, the special relationship that exists between an owner and an older dog. Klonsky, 67, is planning to publish the collection as a book.

"I just let people write whatever they wanted about their connection with their dogs, not knowing if I would use it," she says. "And when people wrote they just poured out their hearts."

The Manchester, Vermont, resident traveled all over the country and photographed more than 175 dogs with their people, from Doc, a retired sled dog in Alaska who completed six Iditarod races, to Savannah, a guide dog for a blind owner in Albany, New York.

The owners range from a fifth-grader to a 90-something.

"People with older dogs have an intense sense of compassion and deep connection with them," says Klonsky. "I think it may be that on some common level the two understand one another. It is absolutely beautiful to watch and a privilege to be able to share."

See some of our favorite shots here, and visit Klonksy's website or her Facebook page to see more photos and to learn the stories behind them.
On 10:13 AM
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A Therapy Dog Helps A Boy With A Traumatic Brain Injury Recover

Caleb suffered a traumatic brain injury. He had to re-learn how to do everything. From sitting up, to talking, to throwing a ball. Pet therapy, during this crucial time, has shown to be incredibly helpful. Not only are these animals a wonderful distraction, they are also very soothing during a very stressful time. They can make physical therapy easier on the spirit. This story is sure to make you appreciate how amazing these animals are, as well as how amazing kids can be too! Together, they make one fine team!



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22 Little Kids And Their Big Dogs  

source: TheAnimalRescueSite
On 7:40 AM
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40 Things I Want to Tell My Kids Before They’re Too Cool to Listen

As every parent can attest, the miracle of childbirth takes on a whole new meaning when it’s YOUR child being born. It’s one of those life experiences you can’t fully grasp until you live through it.

There are so many things to tell your child – as soon as possible, before they are in school with their friends and too cool to listen.

So in no particular order, here are 40 things I intend tell him (and his sister or brother when they come along):


1. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. – Don’t base your attitude on how things are. Choose your attitude so it supports and expresses the way you wish to be. Frustration and stress come from the way you respond and react, not the circumstance themselves. Adjust your attitude, and the frustration and stress is gone.

2. What you experience starts with your perception. – In almost every case, nothing is stopping you… nothing is holding you back but your own thoughts about yourself and “how life is.” Your perception creates your beliefs. And your beliefs create your behaviours. And your behaviours produce your experience.

3. Let go of the need to complain about life. – Spend your moments actually living its beauty. Change the phrase “have to” to “get to.” So many things we complain about are things others wish they had the chance to do.

4. Positivity always pays off. – Your thoughts do not end when you finish thinking them. They continue to echo through your life. Choose wisely and intentionally. Be outrageously and unreasonably positive. Be funny and creative and ridiculous and joyful all at the same time. Smile as often as possible. A smile actually changes the vibe of your body. It alters, physiologically, the chemistry of your being. It will make you feel better and do better.

5. Negativity just shortens your life. – Before you waste it on anger, resentment, spite or envy, always think of how precious and irreplaceable your time is.

6. Worry is the biggest enemy of the present moment. – It does nothing but steal your joy and keep you very busy doing absolutely nothing at all. When you spend time worrying, you’re simply using your imagination to create things you don’t want.

7. Don’t run away from things; run toward them. – The best way to move away from something negative is to move toward something positive.

8. Nothing is as bad as it seems. Nothing. – There’s a benefit and a blessing hidden in the folds of every experience and every outcome.

9. Gratitude helps every situation. – How can you transform suffering into joy, and struggle into peace? GRATITUDE. Start being grateful for all the problems you do NOT have.

10. Everything is falling together perfectly, even though it looks as if some things are falling apart. – Trust in life’s process. Happiness is allowing yourself to be perfectly OK with what is, rather than wishing for and worrying about what is not. When life is “falling apart,” things could actually be falling together… maybe for the first time.

11. Change is necessary. – Change is the process of life itself. In fact, everything is changing every second of our lives. However good or bad the situation is now, it will change. That’s one thing you can count on. So never assume that you’re stuck with the way things are. Life changes, and so can you. Take a breath of fresh air. The past is long gone. Focus on what you can do, not on what you could have or should have done.

12. You are capable of handling far more than you think. – Accept each moment, without judgment or anxiety. Remind yourself that all is well, and that you can handle whatever comes along.

13. If you’re having problems, that’s good. – It means you’re making progress. The only people with no problems are the ones doing nothing.

14. It takes just as much energy to waste your time as it does to use it wisely. – It is far better to be exhausted from lots of effort and learning, than to be tired of doing absolutely nothing.

15. There’s a big difference between being busy and being productive. – Don’t confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but never makes any forward progress.

16. You can’t achieve what you do not attempt. – Everything you achieve comes from something you attempt. Everything! Make the attempt. The path between wanting and having is doing.

17. The right thing and the easy thing are rarely the same thing. – Do what matters, not just what is convenient. Do what is fulfilling, not just what is easy. When faced with a choice, choose the path that strengthens you. Choose to learn, choose to grow, choose to more fully become who you are.

18. You can’t be your best without first being yourself. – Be highly effective by being highly authentic. Take a moment to pause and remember who you are and what you stand for. Take a moment to reflect on the ideas and principles that have real and lasting meaning in your life.

19. Meaningful work is important. – You are at your best when you are moving toward a meaningful, positive and ambitious goal. So never follow goals you’re reluctant to pursue. Find ones that will keep you awake at night with excitement.

20. Always realign yourself with your highest priorities. – If you’re being pulled in every direction by forces beyond your control, take time to realign yourself with what you value most in life. What is important in your life is what you decide is important, and this decision will ultimately create who you are.

21. Set your sights high. – Make your dreams big, exciting and undeniable. They’re the ones that will push you forward. Whatever is beyond your reach right now will not always be beyond your reach. Keep going.

22. Miracles happen every day. – If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.

23. If you’re going to do something, do it with enthusiasm and devotion. – Hold nothing back… In life. Or love. Or business. Or anything at all. Every morning, ask yourself what is really important and then have the courage to build your day around your answer.

24. Focused effort pays. – An attitude of “whatever is convenient” won’t accomplish much, ever. An attitude of “whatever it takes” is impossible to stop. So remember, effort does not cost you – it pays. What you invest in effort is never wasted. Sincere, focused effort always brings something of value – an outcome that teaches you what the next step is.

25. What you are capable of achieving is heavily based on how much you want it. – When it means enough to you, then you can do it. When you are willing and committed and persistent, you will get yourself there, every time.

26. You can always take a small step in the direction of your dreams. – There is absolutely nothing about your present situation that prevents you from following your dreams, one step at a time. Use each setback, each disappointment as a cue to push on ahead with more determination than ever before.

27. Set time aside to celebrate your progress at least once a month.– Look at how far you’ve come. You have made progress. And now, imagine how far you can go.


28. Other people’s opinions don’t have to be your reality. – Let the opinions of others inform you, don’t let them limit you. Learn to value yourself and what you stand for. Allow yourself to be yourself. If you don’t want what the world says you should want, have the courage to say so.


29. Break the rules sometimes. – Don’t break the law, but break the rules. If all you are doing is following someone else’s rules, then you have not grown, you have only obeyed.


30. You alone, get to choose what matters and what doesn’t. – The meaning of everything in your life is the meaning you give it.


31. Listen to your intuition. – When something feels right, that means it is right for you. When something feels wrong, that means it is wrong for you. Pay attention to your authentic feelings, and follow where they lead.


32. Own and embrace your imperfections. – Because once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.


33. Every mistake is a step forward. – You cannot make a mistake; you can only make a decision that will be your next best step.


34. Every day is a clean slate. – Don’t you dare give up on Today because of the way things looked Yesterday. Don’t even think about it. Every day is a new day to try again.


35. No moment is wasted when you live it with presence and purpose. – Value and enjoy the journey, even when there are detours along the way. Appreciate every moment, whatever each moment may bring. From the genuine appreciation of these little moments will come a remarkable life.


36. Treat everyone, especially yourself, with kindness and respect. – Treat yourself as the most important person in the world, and treat others as you treat yourself. Do not miss a single chance – not one single opportunity – to tell someone how wonderful they are, how beautiful they are inside and out. Live so that people will enjoy your presence when they’re with you, and appreciate you just as much or even more when they’re apart from you.


37. Accept important apologies you never received. – If you love someone and you want to forgive them, relieve them of the need to apologize to you, for anything.


38. True love is freedom. – Love lets go. Let go of expectation, let go of requirements and rules and regulations that you would impose on your loved ones. The gift of pure love allows you to bless others and accept them without condition, granting them freedom to make their own choices.


39. Everyone you meet can teach you something important. – In fact, the people who are the most difficult to deal with can also be your most valuable teachers.


40. No matter how much you know, there’s a whole lot you don’t know. – In almost every situation, a little more willingness to acknowledge that there may be something you do not know could change everything. Go somewhere new, and countless opportunities suddenly appear. Do something differently, and all sorts of great new possibilities spring up. Keep an open mind.

Afterthoughts

Above all, I think the best thing we can do for our kids as they grow is to allow them to do things for themselves, allow them to be strong and responsible, allow them the freedom to experience things on their own terms, allow them to take the bus or the train and learn from life firsthand… allow them to be better people, allow them to believe more in themselves.
On 7:21 AM
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This Video Is Going To Make You Want To Get Up And Do Something With Your Life

This video will make you think about what you are doing with your life and how your spending your time. Don’t put your life off till tomorrow, act now. Is this the life you dreamed of or are you just living day to day on autopilot? These are questions we should be asking ourselves constantly. With wise words from the likes of Steve Jobs, Terrence McKenna, Alan Watts, Graham Hancock, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss, Will Smith & more. If you think you’re wasting time, do something now, don’t let any more ‘tomorrows’ build up. Get up, act now & live your life as a hero.



Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

 Editors' Recommendations:
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12 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away From You  

source: LiveLearnEvolve
On 4:48 AM
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Friday, May 1, 2015

Man Reveals How Choosing Comfort In His 20s Led Him To A Life Of Emptiness And Pain

Earlier this month, 46-year-old John Jerryson posted on the Reddit forum Today I F*cked Up a story recounting how he wasted his life by pursing his comfort over his passions when he was in his 20s. The man’s story is a great reminder of how what society sees as the best options in life are typically the most self-destructive.


Editors note: Post is unedited to preserve authenticity.

TIFU. More like more whole life really.

Hi, I my name’s John. I’ve been lurking for a while, but I’ve finally made an account to post this. I need to get my life off my chest. About me. I’m a 46 year old banker and I have been living my whole life the opposite of how I wanted. All my dreams, my passion, gone. In a steady 9-7 job. 6 days a week. For 26 years. I repeatedly chose the safe path for everything, which eventually changed who I was.

Today I found out my wife has been cheating on me for the last 10 years. My son feels nothing for me. I realised I missed my father’s funeral FOR NOTHING. I didn’t complete my novel, travelling the world, helping the homeless. All these things I thought I knew to be a certainty about myself when i was in my late teens and early twenties. If my younger self had met me today, I would have punched myself in the face. I’ll get to how those dreams were crushed soon.

Let’s start with a description of me when I was 20. It seemed only yesterday when I was sure I was going to change the world. People loved me, and I loved people. I was innovative, creative, spontaneous, risk-taking and great with people. I had two dreams. The first, was writing a utopic/dystopic book. The second, was travelling the world and helping the poor and homeless. I had been dating my wife for four years by then. Young love. She loved my spontaneity, my energy, my ability to make people laugh and feel loved. I knew my book was going to change the world. I would show the perspective of the ‘bad’ and the ‘twisted’, showing my viewers that everybody thinks differently, that people never think what the do is wrong. I was 70 pages through when i was 20. I am still 70 pages in, at 46. By 20, I had backpacking around New Zealand and the Phillipines. I planned to do all of Asia, then Europe, then America (I live in Australia by the way). To date, I have only been to New Zealand and the Phillipines.

Now, we get to where it all went wrong. My biggest regrets. I was 20. I was the only child. I needed to be stable. I needed to take that graduate job, which would dictate my whole life. To devote my entire life in a 9-7 job. What was I thinking? How could I live, when the job was my life? After coming home, I would eat dinner, prepare my work for the following day, and sleep at 10pm, to wake up at 6am the following day. God, I can’t remember the last time I’ve made love to my wife.


Yesterday, my wife admitted to cheating on me for the last 10 years. 10 years. That seems like a long time, but i can’t comprehend it. It doesn’t even hurt. She says it’s because I’ve changed. I’m not the person I was. What have I been doing in the last 10 years? Outside of work, I really can’t say anything. Not being a proper husband. Not being ME. Who am I? What happened to me? I didn’t even ask for a divorce, or yell at her, or cry. I felt NOTHING. Now I can feel a tear as I write this. But not because my wife has been cheating on me, but because I am now realising I have been dying inside. What happened to that fun-loving, risk-taking, energetic person that was me, hungering to change the world? I remember being asked on a date by the most popular girl in the school, but declining her for my now-wife. God, I was really popular with the girls in high school. In university/college too. But i stayed loyal. I didn’t explore. I studied everyday.

Remember all that backpacking and book-writing I told you about? That was all in the first few years of college. I worked part-time and splurged all that I had earned. Now, I save every penny. I don’t remember a time I spend anything on anything fun. On anything for myself. What do I even want now?

My father passed ten years ago. I remember getting calls from mom, telling me he was getting sicker and sicker. I was getting busier and busier, on the verge of a big promotion. I kept putting my visit off, hoping in my mind he would hold on. He died, and I got my promotion. I haven’t seen him in 15 years. When he died, I told myself it didn’t matter what I didn’t see him. Being an atheist, I rationalized that being dead, it wouldn’t matter anyway. WHAT WAS I THINKING? Rationalizing everything, making excuses to put things off. Excuses. Procrastination. It all leads to one thing, nothing. I rationalized that financial security was the most important thing. I now know, that it definitely is not. I regret doing nothing with my energy, when I had it. My passions. My youth. I regret letting my job take over my life. I regret being an awful husband, a money-making machine. I regret not finishing my novel, not travelling the world. Not being emotionally there for my son. Being a damn emotionless wallet.

If you’re reading this, and you have a whole life ahead of you, please. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t leave your dreams for later. Relish in your energy, your passions. Don’t stay on the internet with all your spare time (unless your passion needs it). Please, do something with your life while your young. DO NOT settle down at 20. DO NOT forget your friends, your family. Yourself. Do NOT waste your life. Your ambitions. Like I did mine. Do not be like me.

Sorry for the long post, just had to get it out there.

TL:DR I realised I let procrastination and money stop me from pursuing my passions when I was younger, and now I am dead inside, old and tired.


Editors' Recommendations:
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12 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away From You  

source: LiveLearnEvolve
On 1:38 PM
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15 Things You Don’t Owe Anyone (Even Though You Think You Do)

I know how much social pressure there is to conduct yourself a certain way. Some people they know what’s best for you and the whole world. But remember…


1. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your living situation.

It doesn’t matter what kind of living situation you’re in, whether you have housemates, live alone, live unmarried with a partner, or live with your ex still. You don’t need to explain to anyone why you live the way that you do.

2. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your life priorities.

Want to open a business? Become a pastor at your church? Sell all your belongings and backpack through India? Go for it! And remember, you don’t have to explain your priorities to anyone. They are yours, and you don’t have to try to impress people with them.

3. You don’t owe anyone an apology if you are not sorry.

If you’ve done something that someone else doesn’t like but that you don’t regret, you don’t owe them an apology. An apology is to try to rectify a mistake and the impact it’s had on others.

4. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for requiring alone time.
If you need alone time, you’re not being rude, introverted, or unfriendly. You just need time alone. You don’t have to explain your need for that. Just enjoy that precious time alone.

5. You don’t owe anyone your agreement on their personal beliefs.

When people share their personal beliefs with you, it’s often a sign of trust that should be cherished. It’s a window into their souls and the way they think. But just because someone has shared their personal beliefs with you doesn’t mean you have to nod in agreement. Also, see #3.

6. You don’t owe anyone a yes to everything they say.

I know it can be hard to say no to the hard ask, but just know that you don’t have to say yes to everything everyone asks of you. Know your limits and what you’re willing to do for others.

7. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your physical appearance.

If you’ve lost weight, gained weight, changed your hair, grown a beard, or done anything with your physical appearance, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for it. You’re just doing you. They can deal with pink hair.

8. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your food preferences.

We all like different types of food. If someone tries to judge you over it, don’t engage. You don’t have to explain what kind of food you like to eat. You just eat what you want to.

9. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your sex life.

Whether your sex life doesn’t exist or does with another consenting adult, it’s no one’s business but your own. People will try to judge you for who you sleep with or what your sexuality is, but what they think generally doesn’t matter.

10. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your career or personal life choices.

When it comes to the direction you’re going in life, you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your career or the direction you’ve opted to go. Just go for it! The people who truly care for you will back you up.

11. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your religious or political views.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Catholic, Protestant or Muslim, it’s your choice and you don’t owe anyone an explanation for it. If someone wants to have a fun, candid discussion with you and you also want that, have at it! A good debate or exchange of ideas is a lot of fun.

12. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for being single.

It doesn’t matter if you’re single by design or by accident – you’re single! Chances are, you’re pretty happy with it too. You might get pressured to go find a partner and get married, but you march to the beat of your own drum.

13. You don’t owe anyone a date just because they asked.

This is such an important thing to remember. You don’t have to say yes just because someone asked you to go out with them!

14. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your decision about marriage.

Want to get married at 18? Don’t ever want to get married? As long as you’re an adult making decisions of your own accord, your decision about marriage is yours alone.

15. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your relationship choices.

Did you forgive a cheater? Did you get back together with your ex? Did you say no to a marriage proposal? These decisions were made by you for your own set of reasons, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation for that.

 Editors' Recommendations:
29 Signs You’re Doing Just Fine (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
10 Things You Must Give Up To Get Yourself Back On Track
7 Things You Should Insist On No Matter What People Say
What Self-Loving People Do Differently
12 Toxic Behaviors That Push People Away From You  

source: HigherPerspectives
On 4:23 AM
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Is He The World's Best Dad? Father Takes Adorable Photographs With His Little Girl

Ever since his daughter and the love of his life was born back in 2010, photographer Dave Engledow has been taking photos of her. He refers to himself as the worlds greatest dad. Going by the photos, he is definitely a pretty hysterical dad.

Using a high quality camera and some clever post production techniques Dave manages to capture the moment so incredibly well. We have selected a number of our favourite shots and added them for your viewing pleasure below.
On 8:14 AM
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Project Superhero Photographs Children With Special Needs From A Wonderful Viewpoint

Photographer Renee Bergeron's son Apollo was born with a double aortic arch, a rare congenital heart defect. Apollo was diagnosed at 18 months old and has undergone two heart surgeries, had a g-tube placed and countless other medical procedures. After seeing how much he enjoyed the super hero images of himself, The Superhero Project was born. Renee now shares her gift of photography with other families of children with special needs. You can see more photos at: Little Earthling Photography.

 "Like most little boys his age, Apollo believes he is the biggest, strongest superhero ever.
And I’m not about to tell him any different..."


"I am a professional photographer, so when I saw how much he loved the photos, I decided to start doing this for other families of children with special needs,"


"Cody is a gorgeous red-head who just happened to be born with an extra chromosome. He is the delight of his mother’s life and lights up any room he walks into."
"Melanie is a bright and energetic 4 year old, who wakes up every day smiling. Melanie has a diagnosis of autism, as well as epilepsy and sensory processing disorder. Even though these conditions make things a lot harder, Melanie has shown nothing but happiness and perseverance."

"The Superhero Project sessions are sessions designed for special needs children. These sessions are done free of charge to these families. My hope is that we can spread awareness about special needs, while giving encouragement to families through the gift of professional photography."

"Victoria was born with Congenital Femoral Deficiency. This means the femur in one leg is shorter than the to her. She is a beautiful, shining girl who will undergo a series of operations to lengthen her leg as she grows. You can learn more about Victoria here."

"Mordecai was born missing several fingers and toes. He has had three surgeries on his hand over the years to increase his range of motion. In addition to that he was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder at age two and a half. He is currently in the fifth grade. Mordecai loves animals, babies, music, LEGO and books."

"Avi is eight years old. She is vivacious and full of life. Avi faces a variety of sensory and social challenges. She never lets that slow her down, however. She is in second grade and loves horses, swimming and books."

"Avery was the first super hero I photographed and I learned so much from her. She was born a preemie and is a twin. Avery has gone through multiple brain surgeries and has a g-tube."
On 7:20 AM
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