ABC Wednesday - H is for Rick Hansen

I am late joining in ABC Wednesday. School started this week and I have been very busy.

This week the focus is H and what better person for H than Rick Hansen. He is one of my heroes.

This year is the 25th Anniversary of the Man in Motion World Tour, when Rick wheeled around the world in his wheelchair.

He has begun a new trip across Canada with 7,000 "difference makers", in an Anniversary relay that began in Newfoundland this past Aug. 24. Check out his website for lots of information on the relay, and on spinal cord research.

Here is part of an interview he had with the Globe and Mail:

"His philosophy is evident in everything he says: Dwell not on what you don’t have, or can’t have; focus on what you have and are able to do. The attitude “wasn’t a bolt of lightening.” It came slowly with the help of mentors, friends, family members and quiet contemplation in what he calls The Rick Hansen School of Life.
“Usually the biggest demon is not out there,” he says, gesturing to the world outside his window. “It’s what is inside your head. That was one of the most profound lessons I’ve learned in my life. I would never give that up for the use of my legs,” he says without drama. "

Two other quotes from him:

"The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break."

"There is nothing you can’t do, if you set your mind to it. Anything is possible."

Be sure to visit ABC Wednesday for how others have interpreted H.

ABC Wednesday - G is for Jane Goodall

This week at ABC Wednesday, G is our letter of focus. I missed E and F as I was away on holidays. (I will try to catch up later.)

Continuing with the quote theme, I decided on Jane Goodall as I have been reading about her lately. She is a very interesting, thoughtful woman.

To learn more about her mission in Africa with the chimpanzees, I encourage you to visit her website here. (lots of fascinating information here!)

Here are some quotes I particularly liked:

"Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right."

"We can't leave people in abject poverty, so we need to raise the standard of living for 80% of the world's people, while bringing it down considerably for the 20% who are destroying our natural resources."

"The greatest danger to our future is apathy. "

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference."

"If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way."

"Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved. "

"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. "

"Lasting change is a series of compromises. And compromise is all right, as long your values don't change."

(I saved the best for last!)

"How would I have turned out, I sometimes wonder, had I grown up in a house that stifled enterprise by imposing harsh and senseless discipline? Or in an atmosphere of overindulgence, in a household where there were no rules, no boundaries drawn? My mother certainly understood the importance of discipline, but she always explained why some things were not allowed. Above all, she tried to be fair and to be consistent. "

Be sure to stop by ABC Wednesday for lots of interesting takes on G.

ABC Wednesday - C is for Julia Cameron

This week at ABC Wednesday, C is the letter of the week. Continuing with the quotes theme, C is for:

Julia Cameron, the author of many books that focus on creativity.

Her book "The Artist's Way" is a must read for artists.

I am working through the book with a great group hosted by Paula of "Happy Snappy".

Throughout this book are numerous quotes from other people as well as Julia's. But it is her quotes that I wish to share with you. Here is a sampling of her wisdom:

"Love is the substance of all life. Everything is connected in love, absolutely everything. "

"Wherever you are is always the right place. There is never a need to fix anything, to hitch up the bootstraps of the soul and start at some higher place. Start right where you are. "

"Serious art is born from serious play."

"As you move toward a dream, the dream moves toward you."

"Pray to catch the bus, then run as fast as you can."

"Wherever you are is always the right place. There is never a need to fix anything, to hitch up the bootstraps of the soul and start at some higher place. Start right where you are. "

"What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us."

"I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something. Say, instead, that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow. "

"Each of us has an inner dream that we can unfold if we will just have the courage to admit what it is. And the faith to trust our own admission. The admitting is often very difficult."

" Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself. "

Be sure to check out ABC Wednesday for how others around the world focus on C.

ABC Wednesday - Alexander Graham Bell

This week at ABC Wednesday, B is our focus letter.

One of the great Canadians is Alexander Graham Bell, considered the inventor of the telephone. He was born in Scotland but came to Canada and settled near Brantford. I have visited his home there and it is fascinating.
Wikipedia states: he"...was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone."
His mother and wife were both hard of hearing and one of his young students in Boston where he worked at a School for the deaf was Helen Keller.
To learn more about this great man read here.

There are many quotes attributed to him. These are my favourites:

“Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”

“A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself. "

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”


Be sure to stop by ABC Wednesday to discover what others have done for B.

ABC Wednesday - A is for Maya Angelou

Round 9 begins at ABC Wednesday!

Last round I focused on places around Canada. This round I want to share quotes from well-known people around the world.

A is for Dr. Maya Angelou


I first came to know Maya Angelou through her book, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" many years ago. I have since read other books and her poetry and heard her speak many times. "Phenomenal Woman" is a must-read.

She is considered on of the great voices of America. She is a woman of many talents - a poet, writer of books and plays, an educator and civil-rights activist.

Here are a few of her quotes I treasure:

"Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean. "

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."
"I believe that every person is born with talent."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

Be sure to check out how others face the challenge for A at ABC Wednesday.