Inspiring Folks

Photo By: JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Yesterday I was running on the Burke-Gilman and I came across this amazing girl I read about in the Seattle Times. Her name is Laura D'Asaro and she is working to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to crawl a mile. She seems to have such a zest for life which was so apparent yesterday as she sported a HUGE smile while crawling alongside her dog in the dirt.

I was reading over her article today and was impressed by a few things she said. First, "I've had people tell me to stop smiling so much," she said. "I say, 'We need all the happiness we can get.'" I loved that.

I can be such a grump, but if I step back and think about it, being happy is a great place to be. Additionally, I have a lengthly list of people I've met in life who seem so joyful and I love, loVE, LOVE to be around them.

Another thought I liked was this--"There is not much point in living if no one knows you're alive." I don't necessarily mean that you have to be this person always seeking attention, but we can either exist or live and wouldn't we rather LIVE and inspire others to do so?

The next person who I am inspired by today is my Aunt Natalie. She was chosen as the Wasatch Woman of the Year 2008. I have so many fond memories of things she did with and for me as a child. I will never forget picking up my first REI backpack, learning how to put in contact lenses or even hiking Angels Landing as a teenager in Zion National Park. In addition, she was a major supporter of education and spurred me onward in regards to receiving a college education. Her words of wisdom, written in a letter at my time of high school graduation, remain a treasure to me.

If you get a chance, check out this fabulous article about her. If not you are missing out. She's a great woman who has done amazing things. I love you Aunt Natalie and am so proud of you. Thank you for encouraging me to be better.