What was the most inspiring thing you ever saw?

[giantfan121262]

Recently, I went to the gym during my lunch hour like I always do, and some guy stops me on my way to the weight room. I skeptically looked at him and asked "Do I know you?"

He told me he was the guy who worked behind the deli counter at Stop and Shop (where I would go when I would pick up something for dinner or something I forgot to get the night before (which was quite often))and my jaw just dropped like a led balloon. He lost 130 pounds and loked absolutely magniciant. He went from 297 lbs to 165 lbs (the guy is only 5'7" tall).

He is a regular there and on my days that I lift, I always see him. He became a personal trainer and has a growing clientele. I was truly inspired by this guy because when I first met him, I, at the risk of sounding judgmental, thought he was limited in alot of ways. Boy was I wrong and, I have to admit, I'm glad I was. He has a whole new appearance and attitude and it's really paying off for him.

What I am getting at is the what have you seen or experienced that truly gave you inspiration?

Another inspiring thing is that a very dear friend, who I consider family, recently had (in laymans tems) a stomach stapling procedure. She has lost almost 200 pounds and also looks terrific. Everytime I see her she looks better and better and just recently got married. She is so much happier with herself and you just can't put a price on something like that.

I hope to hear some responses

 

[Mischief]

I think this is an excellent question, but I'm finding it hard to answer because it's so personal.

I'd say watching my father fight three separate recurrences of cancer for 13 years.

 

[giantfan121262]

Wow Mischief!

I can relate to that. My mother has successfully battled leukemia for the past 10 years.

Now that I think about it that could be right up there but it has been going on so long with her that I kind of just got used to it. Where I credit the medical staff for doing right by her, alot of credit should go to her for researching and finding the best possible care she could get.

 

[Krokus]

When The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels nailed Bret Hart with the Sweet Chin Music to win the world title. It was the 60 minute iron man match at wrestlemania....I am Michaels biggest fan...ever...so that was a huge moment for me.

 

[ceaser]

Probably my dad overcoming Hodgkins Disease, diabetes, an aortic valve replacement, and a triple bypass. Plus he died on the operating table was revived and now lives with a defibralator inside of him. Besides all of that the guy is still doing remarkably well at age 65. He had Hodgkins when he was 25 and wasn't expected to live, mainly because they didn't have the technology they have today, but not only did he live but his cancer has been in remission for 40 years. The heart problems didn't come along till he was 50 or so.

 

[Ayla ny]

when my mother’s husband gave her half of his liver.

his courage, her courage, and both their will for her to live.

it showed me how selfless honest to goodness love can really be.

 

[the_Baron]

when i was in high school and college i worked for a local CPA, doing some bookkeeping functions.

the owner of the firm hired a fellow who lived down the block; the son of a neighbor. this fellow had numerous life threatening illnesses, and by all means could have spent his days in his bed, waiting out the inevitable.

i would come to work everyday, complaining about some meaningless aggravation in my life. and here he was, chipper and jovial and upbeat. day in and day out.

he put things in perspective for me, although i tend to forget that lesson all too often.

he lived every day to its fullest, as best as possible in light of his limitations.

this wonderful person finally passed away at the age of 40.

 

[blankpage]

A car crash... a family that was just on their way home from a late night died because some drunken idiot thought driving 120mph in the carpool lane by himself was a great idea.

And I got to watch it all, and I was powerless to stop it.

I don't want to get into details.

 

[KoocheeKoo]

Becky (my oldest sister) graduating from Georgia Tech in 1991....after overcoming her mom's sudden death at age 12; an abusive father (who once fractured her wrist); a shortlived abusive marriage at age 18; and flunking out of college her freshman year. Sis lost her financial aid and had to work her way through college, listening to our doubting dad saying "there's no way Becky is smart enough to graduate from Georgia Tech...she's wasting her time". Little sis never gave up, never let any obstacle get in her way, and never let anyone get her down.

It was the proudest day of my life (ranking only slightly ahead of her wedding day two years later). Becky is both my inspiration and my hero 🙂

 

[giantfan121262]

I am really overwhelmed and misty eyed in some cases at the responses. I can't begin to tell you how uplifting it is to read some of this stuff

Mischief_ As I said before, I've been in your shoes in watching my mother battle her case of Leukemia. Although there are times the medication just wipes her out, her will to live overcomes that and I remind her all the time that her grandkids want to see her around for a while

Krokus- to see someone who you look up to as a fan, win something very big is a special moment.

Ceaser- To see your dad overcome all those life threatning illnesses and manage to stay around it just a testament of his resilence and will to live. You are very fortunate to have someone who want to stay around to share his life with you. God bless him.

Ayla- Reading your post made me misty eyed because it goes to show what a person is willing to do for someone he truly loves. I know I would do that for my wife if the time ever presented itself. I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Baron- reading your post reminds me of me in alot of ways. When I bitch about the day to day aggrevations going on in my life and I see somebody who has alot less of an opportunity just enjoy life, it reminds me how out of focus my prespective is. Thanks again for reminding me how fortunate I am to have what I have. I'm sorry to hear about this guys passing. I'm sure it's comforting to know that you saw first hand he lived as full a life as he could under the circumstances.

Blankpage- I hate to say it but that sounds like a real tragedy. Again, I'mn sorry to say. It's just an example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Perry- I think I like you story the best. Not only is Becky your hero she is my hero. That is such a great story about how someone continues to believe in herself despite people putting her down from her dad and husband (I assume, since you say it was an abusive marriage) and unpleasant distractions like your mothers death. She was knocked down twice and got up three times
My hat goes off to her. I just love people that can overcome such odds to make something of themselves

 

[KoocheeKoo]

Perry- I think I like you story the best. Not only is Becky your hero she is my hero. That is such a great story about how someone continues to believe in herself despite people putting her down from her dad and husband (I assume, since you say it was an abusive marriage) and unpleasant distractions like your mothers death. She was knocked down twice and got up three times
My hat goes off to her. I just love people that can overcome such odds to make something of themselves

Thanks...she's a very special lady 🙂
(and a wonderful mother to her four children....mom would be so proud of her 🙂

 

[QBWeaver]

The most inspiring thing I recall was driving to work one day, it had rained the night before and the clouds were just beginning to break apart. At that time in my life so much was going wrong and just the process of getting up in the morning was a chore.

Part of my route to work was to cross over a highway. There is a church on the far left side with a huge statue of the Virgin Mary in pewter. As I crested the highway there was a rainbow situated just perfectly to frame her. It was breath-taking and I had to pull over and give thanks for the message that delivered to me.

Although we get hit by the storms and tribulations of life, there is always a rainbow off in distance if you just look for it. Another way to say that is that from all the bad things in life, come the good things.

Although that happened over 20 years ago, the beauty of that scene and the message it relayed remain etched in my heart and soul to this day.