FINDING YOUR VOICE

My inspiration came from my grandfather who amongst other things told me to be true to myself and to follow my dreams. He was a true inspiration to me.

Madre Teresa of Calcuta with her acts.

My ballet teacher always told us “he who has never fallen down has never tried anything new”. I was often anxious of making mistakes and was terrified of appearing less than perfect. But my teacher’s words have always stuck with me and they encourage me to attempt new things- even if I might fail the first 100 times! I know that it does not do to be scared of failure, for you will never succeed if you don’t try at all.

My grandmother, who in her final days was reminiscing about how she liked roasted chestnuts and how she couldn’t afford them when she was younger, and how, now that she could afford them, she couldn’t eat them, said to me, “If you can eat, eat.”
(She said it in dialect so this is a rough translation.) In these few words, she taught me to treasure the present, smell the roses, be kind to myself, and be grateful always for our blessings.

Mum – she still irons my shirt and im 35!

I am not religious but Jesus words inspired me in Sunday School he spoke about kindness, forgiveness an compassion justice and equality. He taught me to love and accept people. I have always lived by his word .

My daughter sheriah 8 she has been missing her friends but gets on with things . She is very emotional and has hard past year being off school. I would love to show her how special she is and that she has been super brave

My daughter sheriah 8 she has been missing her friends but gets on with things . She is very emotional and has hard past year being off school. I would love to show her how special she is and that she has been super brave

The most inspirational people in my life have been the other bereaved mothers that carried me through my grief after losing my two sons. When I first met these other mamas at a support group held in the same hospital where my firstborn son had lived his short life and died, I was petrified. I soon entered a club that nobody wants to join. They held me up on the days where my limbs were too painful with grief to move. They let me know that all of my feelings were normal and the same as theirs. Then when my second baby boy died a year later they all came to hold my hand and cry with me. If it wasn’t traumatic enough for them to have gone through it themselves, they were selfless enough to live through my grief with me and be by my side in the hospital. They made my husband and I meals on days where we wouldn’t have eaten a thing. They made sure I knew they were always there and will forever be the most cherished women I will ever have the pleasure to meet. I’m grateful for their strength, kindness and compassion every day.

My inspiration will always be my mom. Cancer took her away but in life she was the most passionate worker, artisan and professional. her memory lives on in those of us who knew and loved her. The best mother and my best friendo for enero., forever in my heart.

My daughter, 15 years old has cerebral palsy. She has overcome a lot of struggles in her life. We are always cheering for her, and always will. Her lines are, keep trying…dont give up and things will get better! She is simply fabulous!(and so is my other daughter;-)

My mum passed away when I was 17 but she always told me you cant be everyones cup of tea, especially when you are coffee. I use that every day to remind myself that you cannpt be liked by everyone and be happy in your own skin and with who you are

Great Giveaway! Lovely

I heard the message of Pope Francis during this pandemic and it tells so much truth about it. Here it goes “Nor can we let the virus of radical individualism win us over and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters. I cannot put myself before others, putting the laws of the market and invention patents above the laws of love and the health of humanity.” All lives matter whatever their color, race, religion etc. What we need is to put an E at the end of the word HUMAN in order for this world to heal.

My inspiration comes from a group of 7 young gentlemen from South Korea who have taken the world by storm by breaking down barriers and confirming that music without borders is the language of the world.

They have done so much in this world for social inclusion and awareness of world issues while supporting many humanitarian causes including the UNICEF Love Myself campaign; Link to the original UNICEF speech here in 2018: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/we-have-learned-love-ourselves-so-now-i-urge-you-speak-yourself and video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhJ-LAQ6e_Y .
BTS returned in 2020 to the UN to address their campaign in the new world of a pandemic, link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVbod1-Nx7A .

BTS has the largest fan base in the world at 136.4 million fans worldwide at last count and they are called ARMY but BTS are very little known for their global impact of influence in the ‘western countries’. However; they have proven to the world that music is a language for all as they have broken all cultural norms to sing in predominately Korean. Their music and music videos always have a story of young life struggles, loneliness, anxiety and also hope and promise that the world can be a better place. Their messages cross borders and influence over generations also; such as myself!

They have connected millions of people around the world especially during this pandemic and they have given Hope to them, their fan base ARMY supports each other and is inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and or other ideologies.

Charlotte Erika Walker
(UK BTS ARMY)

My mum with all her words of wisdom, I particularly love “Only look in your neighbours bowl to see if they have enough”

Sean Connery – He made you take notice when he spoke.

My mother: “How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t tasted it?”

The person who inspired me most is my 26 year old son,he never stops fighting for himself for what he believes in ,as a gay man and autistic it’s been a struggle of accepting so many things about himsrlf,he was a born fighter 8 weeks early in special care on ventilator didn’t know whether he had major health problems,he always helps me,never complains never gets angry or upset when I’m not having a good day,helps to care for his autistic and partially sighted sister nothing is ever too much for him he cooks, bakes,decorated is an amazing artist,he spent 7 years in uni got his degree,stated in France for a year in like WOW!!!!! Inspired!!!

My granmother: “What other people think of you is none of your business”

This isn’t from a famous person, it’s from my Grandma. When I was little and would watch TV with her and I would always be asking her whether the people we saw on TV were rich and important. She said ’it’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.’ I’ve always tried to live by those words.

Oh Wow!! What an amazing giveaway. Such a treat!!
Good Luck everyone
And stay safe! 🥰🤞❤

My bigest Inspiration is my friend, who trugh an accidant ended up in a wheelchair. Life did not get easier, but he keeps smiling and helps other people in need. He remindes me of how importante it is to think positive and do good for others in order to be happy 😊✌️
Tina Greiner , April 11. 2021

My bigest Inspiration is my friend, who trugh an accidant ended up in a wheelchair. Life did not get easier, but he keeps smiling and helps other people in need. He remindes me of how importante it is to think positive and do good for others in order to be happy 😊✌️

una persona che ha per me dimostrato di avere davvero una grande forza è stato mio marito, che in seguito ad un grave incidente stradale ha deciso di combattere con la morte e continuare a vivere, per tornare tra noi in famiglia.

una persona a me cara per il suo coraggio e la sua compostezza è mia nonna, la quale nn si è mai fatta problemi a dire le sue opinioni, ed ha insegnato anche a me a fare lo stesso!

My mother: “No one else is exactly like you, and that is your superpower”

I still remember the smell of the room, the background noises and the way the hairs on my neck pricked up vividly, and often think back to that moment and what she said to me whenever I feel low in self-esteem or full of self-doubt.

I think MLK’s speech still resonates to this day

Thanks to joining GirlGuiding at a young age, I’ve learnt that as long as you always “do your best” then you can be pleased with whatever outcome occurs in life. All the leaders who’ve supported my Guiding journey have inspired me and I hope that as a Guide leader myself now, I can continue to inspire the next generation of girls.

The person who has inspired me most lately is my therapist, she listens without judging and helps me find clarity on the issues that trouble me. Sometimes there are things you can’t see for yourself and just need somebody to show you.
Big shout out to all the mental health workers out there, THANK YOU!!

Hi
My biggest inspiration has always been Sir Ian McKellen, his words
“Try and understand what part you have to play in the world in which you live. There’s more to life than you know and it’s all happening out there. Discover what part you can play and then go for it.”
I have always been into arts and culture and finding where you fit in the world is something is scary but also wholly rewarding. I am now a mother and a wife but I still have more roles to play in the world – including inspiring others in the way his words have always inspired me.

The person who inspired me most was Dr Seuss “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

My grandma was always optimistic, full of life and working every day living in the country, it was difficult but she didn’t show it or give up. She was kind, smilling, always there, her life was full of wisdom all the time.

The Queen’s tribute to her husband as being her strength and stay. I have so much admiration for her unique brand of heartfelt dynamism as she always strikes the chord between message and empathy. No easy thing to do so consistently.

“Make the most of every moment, nothing lasts forever” By my Nanny :-)

There are so many amazing women, it would take me a long time to write my list! So I’m just going to mention my 8 years old daughter who inspires me every day to be a better human <3

I really love Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk (on TED) about inspiration. As a creative i saw it at a time when I was doubting my abilities and what I could do and I now watch regularly to think more clearly about creativity and what it means to me and my life. Very inspiring stuff.

Hollie McNish & her spoken word “Mathematics”

My Father, he has said that every day you can started over again! And it is so so important to enjoy life and life it the fullest, because you can buy almast everything… but you can buy time! -

much love,

Fenny

My big sister which is a model for me, always right, always good, always strong! Thanx

My mum when I was not sure about moving to the US by myself knowing no-one “when your old the things you failed at wont be your regrets the things you didnt even bother trying will” had an amazing time living in the US for a year and made lifetime friends – was definitely the best thing I ever did despite how terrifying it was

I am not worthy to comment. people are all equal. Sometimes we all get frightened and don’t know how to handle it

You are my sunshine , my only sunshine , you make me happy when skies are grey . You’ll never know dear how much I love you , please don’t take my sunshine away.
I have sang this to my daughter since she was in my tummy, she is now 11years old and still likes me singing it to her at night. My mum sang it to me , as one of her only memories of her father , who was killed in world war 2 , was him singing this song to her as a very young child . I want this song to stay with our family always. It’s very special. X

Ever since I have been little whenever i have been upset my mum has always said turn that smile upside down ,a frown is a smile upside down and now i am just about to start high school i would love to get my mum a momiji to show how much i love her and thank her for all her support.
I would love to win
Thank you so much.❤❤

Ever since I have been little whenever i have been upset my mum has always said turn that smile upside down ,a frown is a smile upside down and now i am just about to start high school i would love to get my mum a momiji to show how much i love her and thank her for all her support.
I would love to win
Thank you so much.❤❤

My grandson is special need and would love one

My grandson is special need and would love one

I’ve been a TEDxSpeaker myself. I can’t claim it went well popularity wise since it’s in Greek, but it doesn’t matter. It was my life experience dealing with what I thought was depression at the time (I was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 and ocd) and I found the courage to speak up, in case someone’s story resonated with mine. And indeed a couple of girls came to me crying afterwards and we all cried together. Here is my video: https://youtu.be/mvTRI0LzwI0

Best of luck to everyone who enters the contest!

In her TEDTALK video entitled “The danger of a single story”, Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian stated the following:

“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.”

Truth in every letter. Truth in every space. I watched the talk 5 years ago, after having read “Half of a yellow sun”, and I project the video every single year in my English Lessons. This woman must be heard.