TED talks is a gathering of some of the greatest minds, mathematicians, and action oriented people from around the globe. Each speaker gives a 20 minute talk or presentation. I find TED talks insightful, courageous, full of wit and inspiration. Visit the TED website to watch archived videos.
In late 2006, a Malawian newspaper first wrote about a remarkable young man William Kamkwamba. Being from a remote rural village north of the capital city makes his story even more amazing. This is the story of a young student turned inventor. A true story of Living in Courage. William will be one of the speakers at TEDGlobal this year. I quote “TEDGlobal is TED’s twin annual conference. It will feature four days of provocative talks, relevant discussions, technological boldness and amazing performances that will take us beyond the obvious. The program is designed to explore and make visible “The Substance of Things Not Seen” — this year’s theme.
Watch the video below (click on Read More) to see William Kamkwamba’s story of courage in action.
I have a most delightful friend in Rosemary Holmes-Gull. She has written the magical children’s book “Imagine That” - a book of true inspiration that represents courage to me. Part of the proceeds from sales of the book go to “Mothers Without Borders.” Rosemary’s son Bentley did the beautiful illustrations.The campaign day for the book May 26th 2009. If you would go to Rosemary’s website (Children’s Imaginings) that day – May 26th to order to order “Imagine That” this will help her get up the best seller charts!! I know you will love this book. Please share it with your family and friends. They will thank you for it.
Imagine That…A Picture Book of Possibilities
This delightful picture book inspires and motivates children to see and believe in their magnificence. Using examples from nature–the ant, the butterfly, and the bumble bee–children come to understand their power, their ability to overcome difficulties and challenges, even the ability to do the seemingly impossible. All of this because they have been blessed with the gift of imagination. A recurring theme throughout the book is: If you believe it, you will find a way to achieve it.
This has truly been a labor of love for Rosemary,” a work of heart” as she plans to donate part of the proceeds from sales of the book to Mothers Without Borders, an organization that works with AIDS orphans in Zambia. Rosemary is traveling to Zambia in July to work as a volunteer with the children.
She is especially proud of the wonderful illustrations that her son, Bentley provided for the book. It was joyful experience to collaborate with him in this venture.
Children are our future, so it is vital that they realize they hold joy inside through the power of Love. This lovely book teaches children how to Live in Courage.
I love this story, it is about courage and choice. At this time many people are making new choices in many areas of their lives. Some of these choices have been forced because of the present state of the economy and some just look at the world differently now. Whatever the reason, it takes courage to change, and change we must. I hope you enjoy this simple story with a powerful message.
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long
white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize
them.
She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry.
Please come in and have something to eat.” Is the man of the
house home?”, they asked.
“No”, she said. “He’s out.” “Then we cannot come in,” they
replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what
had happened. “Go tell them I am home and invite them in!” The
woman went out and invited the men in.
“We do not go into a house together,” they replied.
“Why is that?” she wanted to know.
One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said
pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another
one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go
in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in
your home.”
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her
husband was overjoyed. “How nice!!,” he said. “Since that is
the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home
with wealth!”
His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?”
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of
the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: “Would it
not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled
with love!”
“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband
to his wife. “Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, “Which one of you
is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2
also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth
and Success:
“I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?” The old men
replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the
other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited
Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love,
there is also Wealth and Success!”
I don’t know how many of you have read my e-book “Living in Courage” available free on this site when you sign up for my monthly newsletter. I talk a great deal about putting labels on everything. We have become a society that engages in 5 very negative habits. Criticism, condemnation, judgment, blame and gossip. What has happened to people? It is time to take our stand and take our “Will” back. Use your free will and choose peace, stay in harmony and live in the present moment – in your center. You can’t repress negativity, but you can make a choice to control it with your free will.
Make a date with yourself. Talk to yourself. What is coming up for you? Spend some time with yourself and let it go. Release it by looking at your value system. Do you have any value in holding on to the frustration, rage, jealousy, resentment, limitation, loneliness or the desire to strike back?
Know that love is the true nature of your being and fear is the counterfeit that wants to be who you are. Bring fear to zero. You get to choose not to let these negatives be a part of you or to control any part of your life. When negative thoughts or feelings come up, say “No, this time I will hold peace, I choose peace. I will say yes to life and life will say yes to me.” You have used your free will to be greater than that self created emotion. Keep choosing to let go and it will go.
Power yourself up to live in courage. Everyone has a contribution to make on this earth. Climb out of the box. You are more than labels. Right, wrong, conservative, liberal, straight, gay and on it goes. We paint everything with insane labels (all judgment of self and others) and we cripple who we are. You can change this at any moment and say it’s done. Been there done that. Now I choose to recreate myself or my life into something absolutely different.
Life knows no boundaries, Life is Liberty. Only we limit ourselves. Don’t you want to once again experience the Magic in your life? As children we never doubted the wonders available to us. When did you lose yours? Don’t you think it is time to get the magic back? Miracles wait for you to say yes.
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“Debra Oakland has clearly written Living in Courage from the heart. This is a book that guides people to summon the courage to face life's biggest challenges. You will find wonderful nuggets that you can apply to your life now.”
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the #1 Self Improvement Website on the Internet
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