I entered and all I got was a lousy T-shirt!
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 10:13PM Hello again.
First I need to apologise for being a bit late getting back to you. My excuse is that there was such an amazing response that I needed time to read every one that was submitted, so I hope you understand the delay.
I am so overwhelmed by your response and I have to say, a little bit proud because you made such a great effort and to me every response was a winner in its own right simply because you had made an effort to respond. People told stories of past and present achievements and goals, everyone inspirational in its own right.
I hope that some of you have found insperation from the stories and will use that in a positive way to achieve something that you have aspired to but never found the motivation to begin. I realised that this was actually not about finding one winner because in fact its about inspiration, motivation and putting aside all the negative reasons not to do something and just giving something a go, regardless of what may or may not happen.
And so everyone of the responses was a winner, not only because of the story, but because you made an effort to give it a go and tell people your story and that's what I am proud of because my motivation to finish my race was to motivate people some how and guess what, it worked...hurrah!!
So, thank you so much to all of you who entered and also to those of you who have amazing stories but did not feel the need to tell everyone. In fact I do not feel comfortable picking a 'winner' because that suggest the rest were losers and of course that's not the case.
However, the T-shirt needs a new home and I chose Rach story because I'm sure we can all relate to it somehow and it is....... simply inspirational.
Thanks to you all, I have really enjoyed blogging and hopefully Lisa will let me indulge again soon.
Love and kisses
Kev.
Everyday l achieve something new. My biggest achievement is learning how to say no and not feel guilty. It has bought so much back to me as a person . l now live my life for me not everyone else,l am now in the centre of the circle and it feels great. My husband,kids,friends and family also gain from this change as l am alot calmer,centred capable and happy. Looking after me and my health allows me to then continue to look after my 3 children,brother( l am his guardian) and husband in a loving and positive way. l stop and smell the roses, l wake up happy everyday and that is an achievement .You would be amazed how many people find it hard to be happy and put them selves in the centre of the circle. You need to love yourself first and the rest will follow. Cheers Rach
Reader Comments (29)
Great pick Kev! We can all learn from this entry. Sometimes we just need to slow down in life to appreciate it. We must first learn to love ourselves before we can love others. When we love ourselves we are happy and this in turn, makes us better mothers, fathers, sisters, daughters, ext. I have made it my goal to try to learn from her post. I have always heard that the first thing you should do in the morning when you open your eyes is smile and its time I put it to the test!
Perfect!
Hi Kev:) I can well imagine how very difficult it was for you to choose the winner as I thought all the entries were really good and from the heart. Some of them made me cry a bit as they were such heart'tuggers.
You started a wonderfull thing here, Kev, by urging us all to get up the courage, the enthusiusm and the strength to do something new, to accept our challenges and to grow from them.
Can't wait for you to blog again and hey, hope u will sing on Singsnap for us now too:)
Hmmm, maybe u could sing a love song there for Lisa, heeheheheehe
Lots of Love
Lori aka MissMyAngelSon
Oh, and Kev, the next time Lisa comes to WI or surrounding area I am really hoping you and Charlie will be accompyng her as I am very anxious to meet the man who stole Lisa's heart:) as the little boy who is her heart and soul.
Hi Kev:) I can well imagine how very difficult it was for you to choose the winner as I thought all the entries were really good and from the heart. Some of them made me cry a bit as they were such heart'tuggers.
You started a wonderfull thing here, Kev, by urging us all to get up the courage, the enthusiusm and the strength to do something new, to accept our challenges and to grow from them.
Can't wait for you to blog again and hey, hope u will sing on Singsnap for us now too:)
Hmmm, maybe u could sing a love song there for Lisa, heeheheheehe
Lots of Love
Lori aka MissMyAngelSon
Oh, and Kev, the next time Lisa comes to WI or surrounding area I am really hoping you and Charlie will be accompyng her as I am very anxious to meet the man who stole Lisa's heart:) as well as the little boy (((Charlie))))) who is her heart and soul.
Way to go. Congrats, Rach!!!
Wow guys, thankyou so much.It's great to know that people can relate to the message that l am trying to get across .Sometimes we spend so much time worrying about everyone else that we forget what it is we want out of life,our goals. Once again wow and thankyou Kevin and Lisa you two are also simply inspirational. xx
That really is what I needed to hear because I put everyone first and leave myself behind only to be frustrated with all the ones I am trying to help so its not coming from my heart....Thank you for sharing now I only hope I can follow this wonderful advice without feeling guilty...Blessings
Congrats racca and thanks for your inspirational message. The thing is I cant say no,it would feel like I'm offending them if I do and scared of losing their respect. But I'll try and follow your advice from today onwards. Hip hip hooray 4 racca!
Kev... I LOVE YOUR WIFE!! Your lucky to have such a sweet soul to be with!
Love you too!!
Congratulations to the winner, your story was an inspiration to all of us to step back and take a second look at the way we look at life.
Kev, you truly picked a winner. I hope to see you blogging more in the future.
Hey Kev,
The title of your blog is great! Big Congratulations to Racca! Your story is inspirational and definitely one many can relate to. Kev, I hope you washed that sweaty T-Shirt of yours..LOL. :)
Thanks so much Kev for the fun and motivation. You must come back and blog again. I will tell you a little secret... I went and bought myself a brand new pair of comfy rollerblades of course w/ knee, wrist, and elbow pads in case I fall. It has been a long while since I rollerbladed but I am determined. I have been wanting to go back to rollerblading for a long time now and your blog was a clear reminder and motivator.
Thanks again Kev! I hope you are still challenging yourself as well!
Love and Hug to you and Lisa,
DreamSpirit
Well done Rach good for you and yes we all can certainly learn from your post!!!You cab wear that T - Shirt with pride wooooooooo hoooooo donated from the family of Witchy Poo lol!!
From now on I am putting meself in the center of the circle and thankyoi for your kind words of wisdom!!
Thankyou Kev,Lisa and family and crew,the other thing that happened with this challenge you did Kev the extended family members got to know more about each other as well and have bonded more motovated way!!
Lisa please let Kev do more blogs and challenges even if there is no prize as its reward in itself to learn of everyones acheivements and goals and inspirations and for those who have had sad experiences we can always be hear to listen and help heal and extend a hand in friendship if they would reach out and let us hold their hand!!
(((((( hugs))))
Maureenxxxxx
Congratulations Rach!
Dear Kev
Well done for bringing out such an outpouring of love and effort!
Dear Rach
What a lovely gentle entry and so applicable for everyone.
Dear Lisa
Thank you for the sense of renewal I get every time I read your blog.
Love
Lana
Congrats Rach, I am facing that situation also an that is my goal to be able to take care of myself first then chose afterwards. I have always taken care of my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and strangers since I was a child and now I feel it i my time. Thanks for giving me something to look forward to.
Thanks Kev, great pic.
Great choice! I am still learning to say no.......sometimes it is very hard. You don't want to hurt feelings, but you also don't want to take advantage of yourself. We adopted 6 children in addition to our 5 homegrown children. It is a tough decision on whether you are going to adopt a child, or let them move on to a adoptive home, and many times I did say no.....hurt my heart, but I had to think about what was good for the child, my children and family, and also how much I could handle. Then you end up with all the grandchildren, that want to spend the day or night ect....another time I have to make a choice to say yes or no :) I still mess up and don't say no, when I really should, but I am getting better.
Blessings,
Nomo
CONGRATULATIONS RACH............................................Love your story and your new found Life....
Hugs Keith Thee yorky Puddin
Congratulations Rach...your accomplishment is an inspiration to all, as it redirects and lifts the spirit in the best , healthy and positive way! :-) Wonderful choice Kev!
xoxo
Have a beautiful Friday everyone!!
:-)
Heike
PS....We hope to see you blogging again soon Kev xoxo :-) Hugs to Lisa!
Great choice, Kev! I agree!
I'm sending tons of love to you, Lisa and Charlie!
Hi Kev, congrats on your pick. Rach, wear that shirt with pride! You deserve the best! I too, have to learn to say no more often.Hopefully, as time goes on, it does get easier!
Thanks again Kev, please continue blogging once in a while. That way, we can get to know you better. Hope you and Charlie will be coming to Vegas with Lisa on the 2nd of Aug. would love to shake your hand and give you a hug also for giving us your beautiful wife who is loved by so many. Lisa, see you on the 2nd. Take careand love to all of you. Stay well , and continue to enjoy the summer my little friend, Charlie.
Love, Mary
Absolutely fantastic pick. I'm going to go show this to my mom now.....
Congrats Rach, you are very inspiring.Good choice Kev..Chick
Congrats to Rach!!! And Kev, no one is a loser unless you choose to be a loser!!! : ) It's not about winning either, it's about living, learning, and not labeling. Just be you and follow thru!!! LOL ; ) Much Love to you, Lisa, Charlie, Lucy, Max and everyone <3 <3 <3
Hi guys it's Rach, l just want to thank everyone for their positive feedback. This is what it is all about,your words of encouragement and knowing that just maybe those few words can change how someone sees themselves and chooses to live their life . love that fact that l get a signed T-Shirt from Lisa and Kev but this, the positive and kind words, this is what it is all about ,it brought me to tears.Tears of joy because it makes all my life lessons so far worth it and in a small way l feel l have made a difference and that is all l wanted to do. Each and everyone of us who sent a story to Kev has made a difference and if anything it shows just how strong we all are.Hugs and kisses Rachx