‘Believe you can and you’re halfway there’
~ Theodore Roosevelt
Inspiration is a gift beyond measure, it is both to be inspired and inspire others.
It is a gift I wish I could wrap up in ribbon and give to you. That our journey has inspired so many of you to start dreaming, to think ‘why not’, to take action and start moving toward your goals just lights me up.
As we are about to embark on our own adventure in a matter of weeks I can’t help thinking about where it all began and the gathering momentum that bought us to this point. Passion, connection to a place, and yes inspiration all played a part, but not stopping when everything seemed against us takes something else….guts!
‘Do one thing every day that scares you’
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I’m often told that what we plan is inspiring, brave, not possible, and even foolhardy not always in that order. The one thing that continues to come up is the effect this will have on our children especially our son Luca. His autism opens the field for thoughtless comments and small dreams, the box he is meant to fit into.
Do you ever notice that children don’t talk about inspiration? It’s such a part of them, like joy and laughter, innocence and wonder….they don’t need to look for it in others it just shines from them.
I would like to think that we inspire our children, that in their hearts they know they can do anything.
I hope we inspire friends and family to follow a dream…and I’d like you all to know how much you inspire me to keep writing, to continue reaching out, and to share our simple story….your world touches ours and that is what I find inspiring.
Today’s post was for By Invitation Only, an international meeting of bloggers all sharing a different view of the world. February’s theme is “inspiration.”
I arrived here through the wonderful and inspiring Viki Archer from French Essence
Further Reading ~ Letters to my Sons
To discover the other writers, please visit Splenderosa
be sure to scroll to the bottom of the comments to find them x
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
This is wonderful Lisa – you are an inspiration – may your new beginnings forever be all that you have dreamed. Ciao Bella F xxx
Francesca Muir recently posted..You and Me – We stay together
Inspiration is found in so many places and your page always reminds me of that Francesca, it’s the beautiful stories that accompany your images and touch the heart xxx
You inspire me SO much, dear Lisa! Every day with your words, the beautiful photos you share, and just being your dear, hopeful self.
I’m so amazed by your courage and strength of purpose in the light of some of these hurtful comments. Press on!! XO
Krista recently posted..Paris in Black and White and More Brioche
Oh that is so me Krista…hopeful! I can’t wait to see how our children take on this adventure x
My dear kindred spirit! I keep a magnet on my fridge with Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote! It is my mantra!! So much so, I wrote a letter to my sons about it – http://letterstostevenandtyler.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/do-one-thing-everyday-that-scares-you/. Have a read at your leisure.
I have so enjoyed following your adventure and, as one hoping to follow suit and eventually share a bottle of vino with you, I hope you can hear my cheers of encouragement from the other side of the world.
“Go confidently in the i direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” Best wishes!
Hi Beverley thanks so much for sending me the link, your letters to your sons are beautiful and I bet they will treasure them. My Mum over the years has sent me multiple letters and cards and I have kept them all for our children. I was just reading through some of them yesterday while packing and they bought back so many memories. I’ll put the link onto my post and hope some people take the time to read it. I hear your cheers loud and clear and yes that vino will be great, ciao love lisa x
Beautiful words Lisa, beautiful post. Keep living the dream. xx
Oh thanks so much for that Millie xxx
And your inspiration is what keeps dreams alive – congratulations on having the guts, and look at your sons smiling face – that says it all xx
Lisa Wood recently posted..Roses For Valentines Day :: Plus Our Gift To You!
It’s always more interesting swimming against the flow, certainly a challenge as you well know Lisa. Soon we’ll be on the homeschooling and I know that will bring a new set of learning for us all xxx
What a lovely post to wake up to this morning! I think we’re both lucky that for every naysayer, there were (at least!) three more people standing behind us and whispering, “Go for it!”
Thank you so much for sharing this, Lisa.
Elizabeth Heath recently posted..A Day in the Life: Reciprocity in an Umbrian Hill Town
It’s those wonderful people saying ‘You can do it’ and leading by example that I listen to with my entire heart and soul. Just because the majority do something the same way doesn’t make it right, and it’s certainly not working for our children and I would say for many others. Let’s ‘Go for it’ xxxx
Congrats to you for your great strength of adventure, courage for believing and bountiful spirit. I am so inspired and encouraged by your dreams and resulting success. Blessings follow you in all your steps to all your dreams come true. All the world loves a happy ending; for we all truly want to live in a fairytale.
The fairytale is just beginning for us, and I have no idea where the story will lead. So glad to share your inspiration and dreams Linda, sending love x
Ciao Lisa!!
Isn’t it great to see all those steps finally edging you to your home in Italy!! Patience and perseverance paying off dividends!! I am certain the days seem both too long & too short as excitement mounts and you feel there is so much still to do!! Keep up the good work!!
Ingrid xo
Ingrid recently posted..Little Treasures
Oh it just seems like it’s taken forever Ingrid, finally it’s all paying off yay! so true about the way time is both speeding up and slowing down. Just keep going and try not to sit down as I then don’t want to get up again LOL x See you soon!!
Ah, you and your boy–too sweet for words. He is lucky indeed to have such a beautiful and inspirational mamma.
jann recently posted..People of Palermo
Oh he is gorgeous and such a sweet little guy. I just know he is going to thrive in Italy and Carina will just love it all. xx
Having met you Lisa, your posts and words and images are even more special for me. I read Vicki a little and Splenderosa at length just now, before writing back to you…. It strikes me how important it is for us to know where we can go to get the inspiration we need. It happens, too easily, to find yourself in the wrong place with the wrong voices around you and our dreams cna begin to seems too big and impossible. Then, a post and a world opens up to let you know you’re not alone at all. Grazie. xo
Janine recently posted..A potted history
Janine I feel like I’m still sitting in Camberwell chatting with you. You are so right, that feeding of the soul by finding other inspiring people does keep me going when things get to much. Often those little voices telling you it’s not possible begin to multiply and those dreams get buried before they have a chance to grow. I hope I was able to help you today to know your dreams are incredible and you keep chasing them! x
Dear Lisa,
Beautiful words I have loved following your steps to creating your dream Italian life on your blog and to finally meet you at my workshop in Sydney was such a memorable moment as now I can enjoy it even more…….counting down the days you must have so many emotions dancing around your body!! Thinking of you xx Carla
Lisa! I am so behind in reading the other BIO posts this month since we just adopted a new dog–so my sincere apologies and welcome to the group!!! I love what you wrote and I love your dream. That you are working towards it doggedly without giving up, without it turning sour says so much about who you are. I will ab-so-lutely look forward to following along with all of your adventures from here on out.
With all of my Best from Provence (yep, only about a twenty minute drive from Vicki’s house),
Heather
Heather in Arles recently posted..Please welcome…Kipling!
Oh Heather I am behind also and wasn’t sure how it all worked as it is my first time with the group. Your Kipling is just gorgeous and what a wonderful friend he will be. Thank you for your lovely welcome to the group and yes we are flat out at the moment getting ready for the big move. It is such a small world that you are so close to Vicki whom I met through Carla Coulson, such wonderful inspiring women. Sending love and great to ‘meet’ you ciao lisa xxx
Lisa — you are an inspiration to me. You have such a positive outlook on life and you also have a lot of GUTS. You have a beautiful family and I love the way you make your dreams come true.
Trisha Thomas recently posted..The X Pope: Mysteries and Confusion at the Vatican
Dearest Trisha we have so much that just seems naturally in common. thank you for that and ditto to you, your strength shines! Here’s to us for making our dreams come true through thick and thin, and having the heart to reach out!! sending lots of love to you and your family xxxx