The act of breathing in.
The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.
I received a pleasant surprise in the mail today. This picture of my precious grand daughter giving me a kiss was on the cover of a pharmaceutical company’s annual report. A similar picture hangs in the company’s board room along with pictures of several other patients. The CEO wants to remind board members that serving patients is their inspiration.
I heard today that inspiration is closely tied to creativity and ultimately connected to hope. Oh Lord, I need hope. I have down days in which hope eludes me. I have thoughts of life with ALS being too hard. It’s a cruel disease. All thoughts of life-extending interventions are off the table. Just hunker down, this will be over soon.
Ok. I can’t stay there. It serves no one.
Hope is what moves me from despair to gratitude. I think about what inspires me to keep living:
- The love of God, my family, and friends
- Serving and encouraging others in creative ways
- Being present and finding gratitude in the moment
What’s your inspiration? Leave a comment so we can learn from you.
I’m Forgiven and Free and inspired by you!
.
Shelly Hoover 
April 12, 2017 at 4:29 am
My inspiration is you Shelly Hoover! No matter what you’re dealt you constantly have a positive outlook and kick adversity in the behind! You’ve taught me lots, especially to never give up. Love you sister!
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April 12, 2017 at 4:33 am
Shelly, you’re my inspiration, believe it or not. Some might find that strange I guess since I only know you over the back fence and through your journal writings. But, I firmly believe you are In my life a little and my heart a lot, for a reason.
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April 12, 2017 at 4:46 am
Let’s get together this summer! I’ve got a lift chair for my pool so we can enjoy the sun together 😊
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April 12, 2017 at 4:38 am
Shelly,
My inspiration is people living powerful lives despite challenges that I can’t fathom.
You: processing your grief and reaching for hope instead of despair.
My friend, I’ll call P, flying to California next week to help his older sister take care of her soon to be born 1st child. P is undocumented and knows it is risky to travel these days. He is going instead of his parents or brother because he is the least likely to be stopped and questioned.
You and P face your challenges with courage, faith, hope, confidence, acceptance and determination. You inspire me.
Peace,
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April 12, 2017 at 4:45 am
What inspires me? I am “in spirit” (or inspired) when I sit still and know that HE is God. I am in spirit when I stay in gratitude during the day and whisper “thank you Jesus”; when I focus on “being” a child of God, and just be still. I am inspirit when I walk closely and take direction down that path that He has chosen for me…the one He leads me down. Being not inspired for me is when I shift my focus from God to self..it becomes a shallow spiritless life, a very empty, ugly one. I find God most of the time in my garden, working with my hands and in my children…these things are what God has given me to love, this love inspires me, God’s love IS this spirit inside me, my inspiration. I love you Shelly
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April 12, 2017 at 8:20 am
I’m inspired by those who are faithful and persevering. I see you as you grapple with changes and your husband as he changes with you. I observe the perseverance of Joni and her husband’s willingness to serve her. In my world, I get to appreciate both the care receiver and giver as both lament and laugh together through the grit and grime of living. I am honored to worship the One who was the care receiver on Friday but became my eternal care giver on Sunday.
Michael Storz
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April 12, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Funny you should bring inspiration up I was just having a conversation the other day about you ! Since I was little I wanted to become a teacher because of you someone said I shouldn’t put so much on my plate at once and I said sometimes you have to make sacrifices to achieve the things you want in life, and I said if my aunt shelly could jungle working and school and raising two children and still be a pro active parent there’s no reason I can’t you definitely have always been a inspiration and my children they inspire me to strive for a better life for them. And being able to make a difference in people’s life is also a inspiration for me. My husband and the way he works so hard and is so dedicated to everything that’s also a inspiration for me
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April 12, 2017 at 3:10 pm
You’ve got so much to be proud of Amber! Follow your dreams. ❤
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April 12, 2017 at 1:30 pm
^^ that’s me Amber lol it came up anonymous
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April 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm
The greatest commandment is to love. On the surface that seems like a no brainer, just love. But I think that looks different for different people depending on their circumstances. No one who does not have ALS can understand where you are, that is a fact. But your capability to love has not changed and on your good days you do that better than most. On your not so good days others love you well and that gives them great joy. I am praying that you continue to love well on this journey. Love you little cousin and I am so glad you are forgiven and free.
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April 12, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Sorry, that was cousin Cindy
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April 13, 2017 at 4:22 pm
I remember the first time meeting you and your family. Playing worship with your entire family was so inspiring in its self. How serving the Church was a family affair.The biggest inspiration was the how very much in love you and Steve are. Even before your life with ALS it was always so beautiful seeing you two together. How your eyes sparkled when you were with Steve. How Steve set up you keyboard making sure you were set before his own gear was. The mutual adoration is so evident Thats my lasting inspiration. To serve one another in good or tough times. Shelly, you and your family are the epitome inspiration. My two years with you at Bayside of Lincoln were the best of times.
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April 13, 2017 at 11:01 pm
Hi Shelly,
Thank you for sharing your story at the conference last week (we spoke briefly afterwards). Your thoughts and experience with ALS have been a starting point for a lot of thoughts since then. I am working with those in mind, hoping that they come full circle and make it back to the ALS community and other communities who need research yesterday.
William
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April 13, 2017 at 11:03 pm
I messed that up just like cousin Cindy!
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April 18, 2017 at 1:39 pm
We’ve had a succession of losses in our family recently and I’m inspired by the ability to celebrate life in the midst of sadness. To find joy in the moment. The laughter of children and the embrace of a senior.
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