Inspire

History Death Inspire Life Lessons People

Farewell, Madiba (1918 – 2013)

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read483 views

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 1950's.
Nelson Mandela, 1950’s.
Photo: Eyedea Presse.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 1960's.
Nelson Mandela, 1960’s.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom.

Nelson Mandela, working as a prisoner on Robben Island, 1977. Photo Credit: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.
Nelson Mandela, working as a prisoner on Robben Island, 1977.
Photo Credit: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.

“You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.”
― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela.

“We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela.

Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandela.
You were a Good Man, an Inspiration, a great example of Love and you made a difference in the World.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Books Personal Quest Inspire Life Lessons

I’M Back to Writing

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read656 views

My last published book was a little over a year ago and since then I have only been able to write a coupe of Poems here and there.  I have been asked by friends all year long about my next book release. Well, the good news is that there is one in the making; however, far from completion. I love to write, yes. But I only do so when I have something meaningful to share. I do not write for the sake of writing as inspiration has to be genuine and flow through me (as well as other places) before I can begin to produce something inspiring for my audience.

Early in the month I was graced with a request to write a Personalized Poem for a special event and since then ideas have been overflowing. I should be able to put everything together in a day, but it’s not as simple as it seems given that the Poem is for some individuals who have been a tremendous source of Blessings in my Life.

Notepad, Fountain Pen & a Vase with Artificial Peony.
Notepad, Fountain Pen & a Vase with Artificial Peony.

Sometimes you just have to find a need and fill the need. In my case I have recently had a couple of interesting life changing experiences which have inspired me to pull out my notepad and start writing. I have always believed that there is something magical about writing and I held that thought to be true once I began writing as a mean of self-healing/self-empowerment/self-freedom/self-motivation twenty-one years ago.

Now, to stay focused and complete the next book …

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Health and Wellness Inspire Life Lessons People

Kindness for Longevity

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read651 views

I love my neighbors. They are all wonderful, especially the original ones. I am so grateful to live here and be surrounded by beautiful individuals who constantly surprise us with their generosity. The older couple living across from our home are a blessing and such a joy to know. They are available and when needed, quick to help. They are inspiring and when not physically present, encouraging and advising.

My neighbors are a beautiful couple in their late seventies. They look so much younger (at least twenty years younger) all thanks to the choices they made on a daily basis and which they are making still. One doesn’t have to go all out to make someone else happy. Little things, acts of love and kindness have a way of making the heart flutter and leap for joy. This morning as I opened the mail box to collect yesterday’s mail, I found a nicely sealed gift. At that particular moment, I felt so loved and appreciated. I smiled as I knew who put it there since it wasn’t the first time. For a year and a half now, they have randomly filled our mail box with Greeting Cards for all occasions, Collectors Calendars, gift wraps and bags, coupon booklets for Power Tools, rare Vintage pieces and not too long ago, a large Bats fabric favor bag for the kids to go trick or treating.

Image Source: Comments.FunMunch.com.
Image Source: Comments.FunMunch.com.

I know the positive effects of this morning will be passed along to someone else in the form of another act of kindness or simply a genuine smile. As I sit here typing, I am thinking about returning their kindness and I know exactly what to give them. Kindness is one of the best feel good remedies which pays itself over and over again.

The following are some effects of Kindness (learn about other positive effects here):

  • Makes us feel good
  • Helps us become a better person
  • Promotes a feeling of well-being
  • Promotes compassion
  • A sense of achievement and belonging
  • Softens the heart and keeps it healthy
  • Helps us see the World through new lenses
  • Gives us an opportunity to know others
  • Being Kind makes you happier, thus, increases your longevity
  • Kindness is a gift that keeps on giving.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” – Mother Teresa

Genuine Kindness is free. Choose to be kind and bless someone’s day to start a chain of endless positive actions.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Strength of The Small Inspire Life Lessons Gratitude People

Giving to Heal & Comfort

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read451 views

While beautiful, the month of September has been quite rough with tension rising and emotions running wild. Somethings have been out of place and we are working hard at getting them right back on track. Hopefully the month will end just as beautifully has it started and we will all move forward to better things.

I learned just a few days ago of the death of a friend’s Mother. I would have received it sooner had I reminded my Middle and High School mates of my change of e-mail address. I am so thankful at how swiftly some of us react when it comes to assisting one another in times of need. A team on site with the collaboration of those of us who can’t be there, is getting everything ready to physically, emotionally and financially support the grieving family as they deal with their loss. I love giving and I am honored to be part of such a positive group.

Image Source: Trans4Mind.com.
Image Source: JustMotivated.com.

Why should you give? For one it’s the right thing to do and it doesn’t cost you much. Give because it will make a difference and because giving is the start of a positive chain of action. What can you give?

  • Your Money. There are so many good charities out there in need of financial support.
  • Your Time. Donate your time to the less fortunate, offer to help feed the needy, help rebuild a home, be there for someone in need. Make a difference by volunteering.
  • Your Material. Donate things you no longer need as long as they’ve been gently used and non-perishable.
  • Yourself. Donate blood (American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers, Blood Banker). Donate your hair to provide hair replacements/wigs for people who have lost their hair from cancer due to chemotherapy (Locks of Love, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Wigs for Kids, Children with Hair Loss). Think about the possibilities of becoming an organ donor.

“That’s what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” ― Simone De Beauvoir

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Scripture Personal Quest Faith Inspire

“The Empty Chair”

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read463 views

A man’s daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The pastor assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit and got the chair ready.

“I guess you were expecting me,” he said.
“No, who are you?”
“I’m the new associate pastor at your local church,” the pastor replied.
“When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up.”
“Oh yeah, the chair,” said the bedridden man. “Would you mind closing the door?”
Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

Cast Aluminum Mini Chair“I’ve never told anyone this, not even my daughter,” said the man. “But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church, I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.”

“I abandoned any attempt at prayer,” the old man continued, “until one day about four years ago, my best friend said to me ‘Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here’s what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith, see Jesus on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, “I’ll be with you always”. ‘Then, just speak to Him and listen in the same way you’re doing with me right now’.”

“So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm.”

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church. Two nights later, the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon.

“Did he seem to die in peace?” he asked.
“Yes. When I left the house around two o’clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange — kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside his bed.”

― Author Unknown

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ― Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

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JM Perez By JM Perez