2010 Inspirations

I am thinking of some of the people, places and things who/that have inspired me in 2010:

My nephew, Max, whose passion for jazz is infectious

The city of Paris, France, because its beauty takes my breath away, even when I simply think about it

My Iyengar yoga trainer, Adam, who is even-tempered, sensible, kind and a great teacher

Actress Laura Linney, who is hypnotic, whatever role she is playing

Lionel Logue, the self-made, Australian speech therapist, who cured British King George VI of his stuttering in 1939. This coincided with England’s entrance into WWII. (You must see the movie The King’s Speech.)

David’s FOF sister, Sharon, who weathered her fractured pelvis with aplomb and practicality

Antoinette, my sick aunt’s home health aide, who never flinched, no matter what she had to do to make Sylvia more comfortable

Any child who does not let his mental or physical challenges overcome him

The regal nineteenth century brownstones in parts of Brooklyn that are being renovated by young people with vision and taste

Every single FOF woman whom I’ve met—in person, on the phone and over the Internet—for her passion, personality and sense of purpose

My children, Colby and Simone, for many of their core values and for dealing well with life’s surprises, setbacks and changes

My sisters, Shelley and Heidi, always!