I love to be inspired! Don’t you?  I am often asked: “What inspires you?” or “Where do you get your inspiration from?”  My answer?  People, music, stories, books, kindness…well, you get the point.  I love the power of the internet today!   I love that we have so many inspiring stories right at our fingertips.  Sometimes I go searching for inspiration and sometimes it is dropped into my lap.  I love when people share inspiring stories or concepts with me on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or YouTube.

So let me share with you some things that are inspiring me right now.  I am inspired by:

-This video made by a friend of mine that I went to church with in Ohio over 7 years ago.  Her name is AnnMarie and she wrote this song along with her friend Melissa.  I love that these ladies used their talents to spotlight a beautiful family that has a daughter with Down Syndrome.  I smiled the whole video and when Emily started quoting scripture I just wept tears of joy!

-This story about a man who has autism in Dubuque, Iowa.  This story gives me hope!

-This series that my sister, Jenny, is doing on Writing Your Life List!  She breaks it down into manageable steps.  I’ve really enjoyed creating a more extensive list of the things I want to do in this lifetime!

-This post by Leigh over at FlappinessIs.  I have talked before about the divide in the autism community and my frustration over how people just love to “speak up” and tell you that what you are doing is wrong.  Leigh so eloquently addresses this issue and I think it is so relevant to ALL individuals, not just those who are in the special needs community.

-Ellen’s Blog continues to inspire me for all the information she shares with the special needs community!  She has such a good mix of information that keeps me coming back every day.  Ellen is one of those ladies that I haven’t met, but I feel like I totally know her.  (Ellen’s blog “Love That Max” is listed on my “Blogs I Read” on the right-hand side of my blog. ALL of those individuals inspire me!  Head over & check them out.  And be sure to tell them that JuJu sent you!)

-I get tons of crafty inspiration from this blog!  I’ve been following their blog since it first started.

-I get all kinds of inspiration from Pinterest!  I’ve gotten so many ideas for crafts, organization, meals, projects for my home, and spiritual inspiration.  I LOVE Pinterest!  You can follow my Pinterest boards here!  A word of warning:  Pinterest can “suck you in”.  Be strong my friends!!

-I am so inspired this week by this video that was just released by Pentatonix.  For those of you who don’t know who they are, they are the 5 person a capella group that won this past season of The Sing-Off.  I love how they fought to stay together as a group and do what they absolutely love to do.  I am amazed at the level of talent in this group.  It blows me away that there are NO instruments.  That is ALL voices my friends!

-And my greatest source of inspiration comes from these people right here:

My little family totally inspires me on a daily basis!  My girls have struggled & continue to struggle with many things, but they have such sweet spirits and are two of the funniest kids I know.  They constantly keep me in stitches.  And that man in the green shirt is the most sincere, loving, and giving person that I have ever met! He inspires me to live big & to love HUGE!  My only issue with him is “Why in the world would you let me leave our hotel in pink pants?”  Seriously!  What was I thinking when I bought those?  Definitely not my best purchase from Target!  Looks like I need to head back to Pinterest to get some fashion inspiration!

What inspires you?  I’d love for you to tell me!

Inspiration is everywhere, but sometimes you have to look for it!

Make it a great one!

JuJu

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