[Cdnstargazer]

I thought I'd start a posotive thread. What or who inspires you to be the best you can be and to get back up after falling down?

[Espurr1989]

I like positive! My husband and my adopted big brother both really inspire me to keep going on in life. I'm not really close with my parents anymore, so those guys are my two favorite people in the world. I distinctly remember being a little kid living in a different state and having this void and daydreams about a couple of older guys that were special to me, so I think our story was that we were always just destined to find one another even though we were born spread out across the country. I know that may sound sort of like a manic thought, but it's been a steady one for years now. Thanks for this topic. It really lifted me up.

[Bigmike727]

My Grandfather. He was my surrogate father and was my best friend when I was a child. He died when I was 11. Would he be disappointed by some of my decisions? Yes. Particularly smoking, he was a smoker until his late 20's but cancer still came back and killed him (bladder cancer). So maybe when I decide to quit, I can reflect on his memory a bit, if he can quit, and my Mom told me he was one of the biggest chainsmokers, so can I, atleast when I am truly ready to quit.

Inspiration can come from many places....often it's my family....my friend, a story I read on the internet....something on YouTube.....a fictional character in a book, myself, my dogs, my neighbors, art, music...the list could really go on and on.

Sometimes when I'm very depressed however, I can't find inspiration in anything at all. Sorry to put that negative bit in but I feel it's important....if someone comes on here feeling very down and reads this thread they could be thinking "what's wrong with me....how am I not inspired by these things...I'm horrible and negative and to blame for all my sorrows". They very nature of my depression will not allow me to feel inspired.

[cmorales]

This might make me sound like a butthead... and truth be told, it is mostly in jest, but at the same time is pretty serious.

Michael Cera.

As I'm sure you are all well aware, Michael Cera is an absolutely terrible actor, and yet, he's somehow "made it" in Hollywood... or, at least he had at one point.

If he can do that, the rest of us can do whatever the hell we put our damn minds to!

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

I'm often inspired by artists, writers and musicians. Art in all forms, especially when it comes out as a catharsis from a dark place is hugely inspiring to me.

Emilie Autumn is a person I am very inspired by. Her book really helped me to know I'm not alone in my struggle with my mental health and she's this amazingly creative soul that lives fearlessly despite her illness. That's really inspiring to me.

[zijax]

My two sons. My youngest is 22. He's an aerospace engineering student at Ga Tech. He makes it on scholarships and financial aid. He studies very hard and is responsible for himself. He is humble. My oldest son flies helicopters for the Navy out in San Diego. He is kind and compassionate. He also takes responsibility for himself and works hard. I taught them they could do whatever they dreamed and they are living proof. I am proud of them.

[cmorales]

Originally Posted by Anxiousvalkyrie

Emilie Autumn is a person I am very inspired by. Her book really helped me to know I'm not alone in my struggle with my mental health and she's this amazingly creative soul that lives fearlessly despite her illness. That's really inspiring to me.

Emilie Autumn is great! I mean, I haven't read her book, but her music is quite genius. It's so different than a lot of what you hear these days and most importantly of all, it's real! It actually is about something serious and meaningful as opposed to all the shallow, utterly meaningless music that makes the puppets who sing it millions of dollars (for some reason). Emilie is a true artist.

[gina_re]

My grandmother. Now she was the strongest and most positive woman that I was grateful to have in my life. I'm blessed that she raised me.

[Anxiousvalkyrie]

Originally Posted by cmorales

Emilie Autumn is great! I mean, I haven't read her book, but her music is quite genius. It's so different than a lot of what you hear these days and most importantly of all, it's real! It actually is about something serious and meaningful as opposed to all the shallow, utterly meaningless music that makes the puppets who sing it millions of dollars (for some reason). Emilie is a true artist.

I totally agree about her music. It is fantastic and unique. Her book is part fiction part autobiography about her stay in a psychiatric hospital because of he bipolar disorder. It's really an amazing book to read for people suffering from bipolar. I could relate to it so much. She's currently working on the 'Asylum Musical' based on her book which I am eagerly anticipating.

[Unrigged64072835]

My family, nature, and music.