#Inspirational stories

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

London taxi driver Michael Son, who began his career in 1965, recently made his final trip before retiring.His last passenger, Dan Barker, was touched when Michael refused to charge him. It's a tradition for cab drivers not to charge for the first and last fares in their career. Dan shared the story on X and expressed his gratitude. His post attracted a lot of attention. Someone even suggested that he should make a charitable donation in place of the fare. After a little research, Dan discovered that Michael had been working for a good cause and even saw pictures of the cab driver alongside Queen Camilla. They were giving away Paddington Bear toys to children facing health or financial challenges.

Michael had also been raising funds for Taxi Drivers' Charity for Children (LTCFC). The charity supports sick and disadvantaged children. Inspired by Michael’s charitable work, Dan donated £100 to the LTCFC, along with a message of gratitude and deep respect for the taxi driver’s dedication.

[wordsofwisdomandsoul]

[hollywoodoutbreak]

Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind the enduring summer sensation America's Got Talent, has been a staple in the talent show landscape for years. With 19 seasons under its belt, and Cowell himself judging for eight of them, AGT has provided a platform for countless aspiring performers hoping to achieve their dreams. While Cowell has honed his reputation as a discerning and sometimes acerbic judge on shows like American Idol, The X Factor, and Britain's Got Talent, it seems AGT brings out a different side of him.

On AGT, audiences witness a more nuanced Cowell, one who balances his trademark candor with genuine empathy for the diverse acts that grace the stage. Over the years, Cowell has expressed his fondness for the show's inherent optimism, finding inspiration in the contestants' resilience and determination to overcome challenges.

America's Got Talent airs Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8/7c on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.

[yourdreamsaredreamingyouback]

My Manifestation Story

By Josefine, Age 17

I’ve always believed in the power of dreams, but it wasn’t until this past year that I truly understood what it meant to manifest my desires. This is the story of how I turned a long-held wish into reality, and how the experience changed me in ways I never expected.

It all started last summer. I had just finished my junior year of high school, and like many teenagers, I was filled with uncertainty about the future. One thing I knew for sure, though, was that I wanted to be an artist. Drawing and painting had always been my escape, the place where I felt most like myself. But pursuing a career in art seemed like a far-off dream, something that only happened to other people. My parents were supportive but practical, often reminding me that art might not be the most stable choice for a future career. I didn’t have the confidence to argue with them.

Still, the idea of becoming an artist never left my mind. So, I decided to try something different. I had heard about manifestation from a friend, who swore that it had helped her achieve her goals. She told me that if I could see myself as an artist and truly believe in that future, I could make it happen. At first, I was skeptical, but I figured I had nothing to lose. So, I started small.

Every night before bed, I would close my eyes and visualize myself as a successful artist. I imagined myself in a cozy studio, surrounded by canvases and paints, with my artwork hanging on gallery walls. I pictured people admiring my work, feeling inspired by it. I didn’t just see it; I felt it. I felt the pride, the joy, the sense of accomplishment. I began keeping a journal where I wrote down these visualizations as if they had already happened. I wrote things like, “I am a successful artist. My work is admired and appreciated by many. I make a living doing what I love.”

At first, nothing changed. But I kept at it, reminding myself that manifestation takes time. Then, about six months later, something incredible happened. My high school announced a statewide art competition. The theme was “Hope and Resilience,” and I felt an immediate connection to it. I knew I had to enter. I spent weeks working on my piece, pouring all of my emotions into it. I kept up with my nightly visualizations, but now I added a new element—I imagined myself winning the competition.

When I submitted my artwork, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. I knew I had done my best, but I still wasn’t sure if it would be enough. The waiting period was agonizing. I continued to visualize, reminding myself of what my friend had said about believing in my dream.

Finally, the day of the results arrived. I was at home when the email came through. My heart raced as I opened it, and there it was—my name listed as the first-place winner. I couldn’t believe it. All the visualizations, all the belief I had poured into this dream, had paid off. Winning wasn’t just about the prize or recognition; it was a validation of everything I had been working towards.

The prize included a scholarship to a prestigious summer art program and the opportunity to have my work displayed in a local gallery. The gallery opening was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Seeing my painting hanging on the wall, with people discussing it, some even asking if it was for sale, was a dream come true.

Manifesting this experience taught me so much more than just how to achieve a goal. It showed me the importance of believing in myself and in the possibility of my dreams. It’s easy to doubt and to let fear hold you back, but when you truly commit to a vision and work towards it with unwavering belief, amazing things can happen.

Now, as I enter my senior year, I feel more confident about pursuing art as a career. I know there will be challenges ahead, but I also know that I have the power to shape my future. Manifestation isn’t just about wishing for things—it’s about believing in your dreams and taking action to make them real.

To anyone reading this who might be feeling unsure about their own dreams, I want to say this: Don’t give up. Keep believing, keep working, and trust that the universe has a way of bringing your deepest desires to life. Your dreams are dreaming you back, and with a little faith and persistence, they can become your reality, just like mine did.

Tell your story:

[flashwisdom]

Need some motivation today? Remember, the best view comes after the hardest climb. Keep pushing forward, you're closer to your goals than you think! 🌄✨ A life-changing inspiration will lead you to the road of success.

[niks1life]

Doing what’s best for you is self-love. ❤️

[artorojo]

At age 17, she was rejected from college.

At age 25, her mother died from disease.

At age 26, she moved to Portugal to teach English.

At age 27, she got married.

Her husband abused her. Despite this, her daughter was born.

At age 28, she got divorced and was diagnosed with severe depression.

At age 29, she was a single mother living on welfare.

At age 30, she didn't want to be on this earth.

But, she directed all her passion into doing the one thing she could do better than anyone else.

And that was writing.

At age 31, she finally published her first book.

At age 35, she had released 4 books, and was named Author of the Year.

At age 42, she sold 11 million copies of her new book, on the first day of release.

This woman is J.K. Rowling. Remember how she considered suicide at age 30?

Today, Harry Potter is a global brand worth more than $15 billion dollars.

Never give up. Believe in yourself. Be passionate. Work hard. It’s never too late.

She is J.K. Rowling

[elevate-educational]

And For This Day...

Sunbreezes, scenic trails, smiles, and hugs.

Do you remember when?

[gertlouw]

Inspiring "dad bods" transformations

Get inspired for your own fitness journey by these 5 "dad bods" that went on a 5 month accountability mission...

[ireadyabooks]

I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta: Read an excerpt!

A propulsive social justice adventure by renowned activist and award-winning documentarian Ruchira Gupta, I Kick and I Fly is an inspiring, hopeful story of triumph about a girl in Bihar, India, who escapes being sold into the sex trade when a local hostel owner helps her to understand the value of her body through kung fu.

“An irresistible story. This book is a gift." — Gloria Steinem

“Any work from Ruchira Gupta is sure to further the cause of liberating women, especially, and in this novel, girls." — Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple

A page-turner of a read… propulsive and enlightening, infuriating and inspiring." — Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and We Are Inevitable

Essential reading for anyone interested in how to empower girls." — Ashley Judd

On the outskirts of the Red Light District in Bihar, India, fourteen-year-old Heera is living on borrowed time until her father sells her into the sex trade to help feed their family and repay his loans. It is, as she's been told, the fate of the women in her community to end up here. But watching her cousin, Mira Di, live this life day in and day out is hard enough. To live it feels like the worst fate imaginable. And after a run-in with a bully leads to her expulsion from school, it feels closer than ever.

But when a local hostel owner shows up at Heera's home with the money to repay her family's debt, Heera begins to learn that fate can change. Destiny can be disrupted. Heroics can be contagious.

It's at the local hostel for at risk girls that Heera is given a transformative opportunity: learning kung fu with the other girls. Through the practice of martial arts, she starts to understand that her body isn't a an object to be commodified and preyed upon, but a vessel through which she can protect herself and those around her. And when Heera discovers the whereabouts of her missing friend, Rosy, through a kung fu pen pal in the US, she makes the decision to embark on a daring rescue mission to New York in an attempt to save her.

A triumphant, shocking account inspired by Ruchira Gupta's experience making the Emmy-award winning documentary, The Selling of Innocents, this is an unforgettable story of overcoming adversity by a life-long activist who has dedicated her life to creating a world where no child is bought or sold.

READ AN EXCERPT

I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta by I Read YA on Scribd

GET YOUR COPY

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[colorful-horses]

monster high

[mswild1]

Lace Me With Grace: Through the Struggle, We Rise Jacqueline and Angela

Jacqueline and Angela had weathered many storms together, their friendship spanning decades of love, loss, and growth. Yet, when Angela was hit by a deep and unexpected loss—a tragedy that shook her to the core—she withdrew, not just from her best friend, but from life itself. As if the grief of losing her partner wasn’t enough, menopause brought with it an emotional weight she never expected. It…

[surya-pandian-blog]

Kindness kontinues

Story time

This person continues to blow my mind by their kindness. So, this happened. We were chatting about things. For the sake of anonymity of all involved, lets say I live in Madurai. North of Madurai is Chennai and South of Madurai is Kanyakumari. I have been to both Chennai and Kanyakumari via train or bus. So, in theory I should know that North of Madurai is Chennai and South of Chennai is…

[niks1life]

Realize How Far You’ve Come.

[artorojo]

Back in the day, Stallone was a struggling actor in every definition. At some point, he got so broke that he stole his wife’s jewelry and sold it. Things got so bad that he even ended up homeless. Yes, he slept at the New York bus station for 3 days. Unable to pay rent or afford food. His lowest point came when he tried to sell his dog at the liquor store to any stranger. He didn’t have money to feed the dog anymore. He sold it at $25 only. He says he walked away crying.

Two weeks later, he saw a boxing match between Mohammed Ali and Chuck Wepner and that match gave him the inspiration to write the script for the famous movie, ROCKY. He wrote the script for 20 hours! He tried to sell it and got an offer for $125,000 for the script. But he had just ONE REQUEST. He wanted to STAR in the movie. He wanted to be the MAIN ACTOR, Rocky himself. But the studio said NO. They wanted a REAL STAR.

They said he “Looked funny and talked funny”. He left with his script. A few weeks later, the studio offered him $250,000 for the script. He refused. They even offered $350,000. He still refused. They wanted his movie, but NOT him. He said NO. He had to be IN THAT MOVIE.

After a while, the studio agreed, gave him $35,000 for the script and let him star in it! The rest is history! The movie won Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Film Editing at the prestigious Oscar Awards. He was even nominated for BEST ACTOR! The Movie ROCKY was even inducted into the American National Film Registry as one of the greatest movies ever!

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF EXCEPT YOURSELF! People will judge you by HOW you look. And by WHAT you have. But Fight on! Fight for Your place in history. Fight for your glory. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

Even if it means selling all your clothes and sleeping with the dogs, IT’S OKAY! But AS LONG AS YOU ARE STILL ALIVE, Your STORY IS NOT OVER.

Keep Up the Fight. Keep your dreams and hope alive. Go get it !!!

Source: BelowZeroToHero and actors.co.ke

Compiled: Motivational Stories