Wonder Woman: Meet Brooke

May 3, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a lighthouse keeper? I have. Her name is Brooke.

I met Brooke in high school. We were in choir together. I remember being impressed with Brooke’s enthusiasm for life and the happy, positive light she carried with her. Some people lose their light when they grow up and have to face the real world with all of its harsh critics and responsibilities. This wasn’t Brooke. Brooke’s light just grew more when faced with the trials of adulthood.

Brooke inspires others with her attitude and wise words. Here is one of Brooke’s words of wisdom. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the virtual world instead of the real world. It doesn’t even come close to comparison. Yet how many times do we choose a movie over playing with our children?” I’ve learned a lot from Brooke. After I read those words from her, I decided to take a Facebook fast for a week. I want to be in the real world.

Brooke will probably tell you she’s an ordinary person raising five children and teaching music lessons to a few neighborhood kids. That’s not the whole truth though. Brooke is a lighthouse keeper. She is a Mom to five children who each have their own little lights. A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for the lights in the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper has to have her own light in order to shine and organize all of the other lights in her care. I’m glad I know her. Her light has helped me.

Wonder Women may think they are ordinary but the truth is that ordinary lives are made amazing by wonderful people.

Brooke is a Wonder Woman.

Wonder Women

Wonder Woman–Read below for this one :)

April 12, 2015April 17, 2015 naricks

Have you ever seen something along the side of the road or done something and was reminded of someone? I know that this particular Wonder Woman has been many places and has saved so many people and has done so much good that her influence is bound to be everywhere!!

I saw a Hawaiian license plate and was reminded of her.

I saw a Panda Express and was reminded of her.

I saw a red leaf on a tree and was reminded of her.

I saw a picture of Strawberry Shortcake and was reminded of her.

Now, while I can’t claim to have watched all the episodes of the original Wonder Woman series, I’m pretty sure she never shot laser beams from her eyes. However, the Wonder Woman I know can radiate light out of her face!

And while I’m pretty sure that Wonder Woman had better things to do than save kittens out of trees, my Wonder Woman has saved countless students, parents, family members, and friends.

This Wonder Woman seeks to do justice to the world, and does just about everything with the right heart. She is obedient and kind, respects authority and EVEN OPPOSES evil doers in the name of honor and justice!

I’m pretty sure Wonder Woman was virtuous, lovely, and brought kindness to all. This pretty much also sums up the one I’m thinking of.

Have an idea of who I’m talking about? This person also would not even write a post about herself, and would not lift herself up over anyone else. Yes, you would be correct if you guess that this post’s Wonder Woman is:

AMEE!!!

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Wendy

March 26, 2015March 26, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a promoter? I have her. Her name is Wendy. I call her Mom.

Wendy loves life. She is the type of person who walks into the room and can make a friend with anyone. She knows how to make people feel loved and important. Wendy loves to promote. She is a champion for the small business owner. Wendy will drive out of her way to support a new business. When she finds a new business or a good cause, she will tell everyone about it.

Wendy is a performer. She has spent years perfecting her talents as a ventriloquist. She has used her gift to entertain children at birthday parties, train hospice volunteers and introduce speakers at business conferences. Wendy loves parties. She has the ability to turn an ordinary dinner into a party by singing a silly song and dancing. Wendy loves her family. She strives to create happy family memories. Wendy loves God.

Wendy loves to learn. She likes to listen to podcasts and books on CD. Wendy works with her husband in their business. She has spent many hours trying to bring fun to the world of accounting. Wendy loves yogurt. She has tried every yogurt shop in her city.

When I wrote this up, I struggled with typing “Wendy” instead of typing Mom. Wendy is my Mom. We all play roles in life. Wendy plays the role of my mother. She is also a Wonder Women outside of her role with me. Wendy is a Wonder Women for her ability to promote happiness wherever she goes. I love her for that!

Remember every woman’s success can be my success if I let it.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Carrie

February 17, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a healer? I have. Her name is Carrie.

Carrie loves to learn. Her natural curiosity of the world led her to earn a degree in science. After a few years of working in cancer research labs, she had an awakening moment that challenged her to combine her love of people and science to the healing of broken bodies and minds. Carrie is now in school studying to be a physician’s assistant. In addition to her studies and residency schedule, Carrie works part-time as a nursing assistant.

Carrie promotes healing to her patients. That is admirable. Carrie promotes healing in herself by exercising, reading books, maintaining friendships and standing up for her beliefs and feelings. That is grit. That is heroism.

Some may say that taking care of yourself is not heroic. I think it is. It takes a lot of energy to be a Wonder Women. Sometimes the most heroic thing a Wonder Women can do is to do the things needed to heal herself.

Carrie is a Wonder Women.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Tiffanie

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a scientist? I have. Her name is Tiffanie.

Tiffanie loves to learn. When she has a question, she searches and finds an answer. In her life, Tiffanie has asked hard questions and she persevered until she found answers that made sense to her.

Many parents tell their children to help other people. Tiffanie actually shows her children what helping looks like by doing kind deeds. She’s also funny and makes life delightful for those around her.

Like many other amazing people, Tiffanie says she is ordinary. That’s just not true though. Tiffanie is a Wonder Women. She is a Wonder Women for seeking her own answers to questions instead of relying on other people to make decisions for her. She’s a Wonder Women for loving and teaching her children. She’s a Wonder Women because she makes time to maintain her childhood friendships. She’s a Wonder Women for sacrificing for her family. She’s a Wonder Women because she spends time on her own dreams and goals.

Wonder Women may think they are ordinary but the truth is that ordinary lives are made amazing by wonderful people. Tiffanie is a Wonder Women.

Remember every women’s success can be my success if I let it.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Stacy

January 23, 2015January 23, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a beacon of happiness and fun? I have. Her name is Stacy.

I met Stacy my first year of college. She was my rush adviser when I joined a sorority. Her enthusiasm for life and serving others made me want to be like her. Stacy loves life. She is kind. She is funny. She loves the rain. Stacy always posts a song about the rain every time it rains to her social media account. It’s a little thing but people love her for it.

Stacy goes out of her way to help others. I was ill one time and she visited me. I felt better by having her visit. Halloween is Stacy’s favorite holiday and her costumes are legendary. Just like all of us, Stacy has had some dark days. She keeps singing. She keeps striving to be a beacon of happiness and fun to those around her. Stacy is a Wonder Women.

Remember every women’s success can be my success if I let it.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Jenny

December 29, 2014December 29, 2014 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met a warrior. I have. Her name is Jenny.

When Jenny was expecting her first baby, she was diagnosed with arrhythmia. For the next 14 years and through additional pregnancies, she struggled to find answers for her health challenges. It was discouraging and frustrating. She kept going. At times, it would have been easier to give up and focus only on the pain. She kept working on her dream to write songs. She kept loving her family. She kept hoping even when there was no hope. There were years when the doctors didn’t know how to help her. There were days where she and her husband planned her funeral. She kept living even when it was hard. This year she walked a 5k. This year she has written a song. Jenny calls herself a survivor and gives the credit for her persistence and her miraculous life to God.

I call my friend Jenny a warrior. Women with warrior hearts continue to get up and keep going in the face of difficulties. Jenny is a warrior and a Wonder Women.

Dear Readers, you may get up slowly. You may need to lay on the ground for a while to recover. However, the moment you even think about getting up the future has started for you. You are a warrior and a Wonder Women.

Remember every women’s success can be my success if I let it.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Mary

December 23, 2014December 24, 2015 my13daychallenge

Have you ever met some one who is brave, bold and humble all at the same time? I haven’t met her, but I’ve read her psalm in Luke 1: 46-55. Meet Mary. She was a Wonder Women.

Mary was born in a country that was occupied by a foreign army. She had her life planned out and a visit with the angel changed her and the world forever. Mary rode a donkey when she was expecting. She gave birth in stable and soon fled with Joseph to Egypt. She raised her son Jesus and then let him go so he could fulfill His mission. Her sorrows were many. Her joys were many. Mary’s humility and courage stand as a witness of her greatness. She is a model for all Christian disciples to follow.

Wonder Women

Wonder Women: Meet Josefina

December 7, 2014December 7, 2014 my13daychallenge1 Comment

Josefina loved music. As a child, she imagined that she could play the piano. Whenever she had a chance to sneak away at Church or at a friend’s house she would pluck out notes on their piano. Josefina’s family did not have extra money for lessons, but that did not stop her. She studied piano books on her own and dreamed about playing. After high school, Josefina decided to take an introductory piano class at the community college. Josefina described her first day of piano class in this way. “I was nervous, but I knew I could learn something easier as an adult. I had already had life experiences to use as a guide. I knew I could work hard and be motivated”. Josefina did work hard. She practiced using the college’s piano practice rooms for hours every week. She took additional piano classes and soon found herself being able to play the songs she imagined as a child. Today Josefina teaches piano and shares her love of music with her family, friends and students. When she meets an adult who thinks it is too late to learn something new, she tells them her story. You are never too old to learn something.

Josefina is a Wonder Women.

Wonder Women

Being Yourself

October 25, 2014 my13daychallenge

The last few months, I’ve been interviewing and writing about amazing Wonder Women. I’ve been inspired and learned so much in recording the journey of others. I got an interesting phone call from a friend this week. She wants to know when I’m going to write a post about myself and describe my own journey as a Wonder Women. I just laughed. The thought had never even entered my mind. I, like many of my dear readers, believe that Wonder Women status belongs to others. So, I’m working on my own post and some day I’ll post it here.

In the meanwhile, enjoy reading about others because every women’s success can be mine if I let it. And believing in yourself is the first step to greatness.