No I don’t know Robin Roberts – but I sure wish I did. Her return to Good Morning America last week (or was it the week before) was a major miracle and captured the attention of viewers the world round. Why is that? She is a very popular person. But there are alot of popular celebrities – however, how many of them have been positive no matter what the circumstances. We always see them with makeup and when they are “on camera”, not when they are having a bad day or some sort of tragic problem. But Robin Roberts shared her tragedies and the experience of them with us. She forsook her privacy in order to make people aware of the issues and problems that so many go through. It’s great when a news figure brings attention to some cause. But usually they do it after they’ve recovered or been through the experience. Robin brought people into the heart of her experience and periodically let people know what was happening and what she was going through. But have you ever seen her without a smile – and a genuine smile? I haven’t. I am certain there have been times that smiling was probably the last thing she wanted to do but that’s such a prominent part of her being that it was just natural.

Her positive outlook and determination is what inspires me. It helps me get through the dinky little troubles that I have day to day. She has alot of stuff to endure and yet she’s so caring and loving to those all around her. Her gratitude toward her team was amazing and the real center of her attention on her first day back. That’s truly amazing to me.

It was/is her determination and dedication that is keeping her going through the hard times she’s been going through. Can you do the same and behave the same as she? I don’t think I have the courage and the fortitude to endure all that. I am constantly amazed at all she’s been through and how she’s come out of it.

That’s why she’s an inspiration to me – her endurance, her dedication, determination and devotion are all above reproach.

Welcome back Robin Roberts!

Terrie

 How’s this for coincidence – I picked Jims two days in a row. Must have something to do with San Antonio and our fettish for Jim’s restaurants. Well, maybe not, maybe just coincidence.

Anyway, today’s inspirational figure is Mr. Jim Edwards, one of the most well known Internet Marketing gurus there is. I first went to an Internet Marketing Bootcamp in 2006 when I was just starting Getting Unstuck, LLC (back when I had alot of time at work to actually experience life – certainly not like now – but that’s another story – see “out of the office” section of this site).

At this workshop not only did I meet Dr. Jeanette Cates (an inspiration featured earlier this month), but I learned so much about how to get my business going and what I needed to do.  From that time on I have belonged to Jim’s membership site “The Net Reporter” which has given me every piece of information that I’ve ever needed. Between Jim and Jeanette I have not needed anyone else to keep me going and keep me up to date.

I have taken almost every one of Jim’s courses and purchased almost all of his products (some such as those involving off-line business are not up my alley but everything else he produces has helped me at least 10 fold). The primary thing I’ve missed out on is his annual Jim Boat cruise – my seasickness and vertigo keeps me from venturing out onto the high seas – yes, I was in the Navy but remember that back then they didn’t allow women on ships so I was “safe” and therefore never got my sea legs). I would love to go on one of his cruises because I know they are jam packed with information.

Why is Jim such an inspiration? Well, he bills himself as the Webinar King but he really is the “Overdeliver King” which is something we all should be. You ALWAYS get so much more than your money’s worth that you can’t even accurately quantitate it. He has taught me the immense value of overdelivering for you folks.  That, by itself, is worth more than anything I’ve ever learned in my short business career (only 7 years).

Jim is also a very warm and loving man. He doesn’t want you to see that hidden under his sometimes gruff exterior but there is a heart bigger than most inside that wonderful guy. He do almost anything for anyone who asked him. He’s been taken advantage of I’m sure because of his generosity. He personifies giving, though and anyone who watches him for any length of time will see that in his every word and every action. But you have to look closely or you’ll miss it.

Jim has been one of the two anchors I’ve had in the 7 years I’ve been cultivating Getting Unstuck, LLC. He has provided support and guidance to a greater degree than anyone else I know (other than Dr. Cates). Without those two I would not be writing these daily posts at all – and I’d be miserable because I wouldn’t have a method to convey what I want to give to the world.  Jim has helped me define my goal and then know how to pursue it. And in that, he has been kind, gentle and supportive – all the while knowing when he can kick you in the butt to make you get something done!

What a wonderful man and how lucky we are to have him in the Internet Marketing world. Thank you Jim!

Terrie

In a few hours I’ll be out trying to do something  I haven’t done before – run a second marathon in 48 hours. That’s not much by my crazy friends’ standards but it’s another first for me if I do it. And people like today’s inspiration are what got me here after 64 years. Mr. Jim London passed away a little over a year ago and I don’t know why but it’s affected me more dramatically than most other passings – especially since I didn’t personally know Jim (I’d only met him twice at St Jude Radiothons and I know he didn’t know who the heck I was).

But even though I didn’t know him personally, he was with me every single day for so many years as I commuted to work in the Washington, DC area. He and Mary Ball and then he alone sat right there in my car every day as I drove the 60 miles in I-95 traffic. He heard everything I called other drivers and responded back with wonderful Country Music – although I might have first heard him when he was doing Oldies – I can’t remember that far back – I know he gave me both Oldies and Country music and I think I got to hear  him (amazing actually ) on the first day of a new DC radio station – Oldies 100! What a great find that was -not only because of the music but because of the people. He and Mary were something I looked forward to every single day of my life and I almost (not quite but almost) missed commuting on the weekends because I couldn’t hear them.

Jim’s voice was so deep and powerful that you just felt safe and warm when he was on the air. It was as if nothing bad could possibly happen to you. That voice and gentle nature simply resonated with you all day long.

So why is Jim an inspiration to me. Because he was so gentle and kind and cared about his listeners. Here is San Antonio I’ve been fortunate enough to find a morning show that has two wonderful people that also care about the listeners but in DC there were not alot of them. And whether the DJs (radio personalities…lol) know it or not, the audience can tell if they really care – because the DJ will talk to them, not around or at them. And Jim (and Mary) definitely talked TO you. No matter what, Jim was always there – you know he had bad days, didn’t feel great, was not in a terrific mood or whatever, but as they say – the show must go on – and he never, ever let on. He was  a rock.  The closest I’ve come to seeing him not be a rock was when Mary left radio and they had a going away party for her. I got to stop in for a few seconds and was just one of the many but I remember the emotion was palpable and it wasn’t just Mary – it was Jim and Mary – for they were truly a Team – Jim was never the same on the air after that. Although he was still wonderful, it was as if there was a piece of him missing. I think you just sync with some people some times in your life if you’re lucky and Jim and Mary were two of those people.

Jim knew everything there was to know about Country music (and I think all genres of music) and you could learn so much just by listening for the title or artist of the song – it was an education you didn’t even know you were getting. And Jim truly cared about Country music – that is what makes something live on forever. When people have that passion and Jim London certainly had that passion.

One of the most indelible pieces of his life that is forever embedded in my life is the song he co-wrote with Maura Sullivan called Christmas Eve in Washington – and probably because I loved it when it was cold and snowy in DC, that song is probably my most favorite song ever. Listen to it if you get the chance.

Mr. Jim London will live on in our hearts forever and I thank him for all those years he commuted to work with me and I thank him for keeping my sanity on those long drives. And I thank him for his tremendous support of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital , which as many of you know is my primary passion. If it hadn’t been for Jim and Mary I would never have heard of St Judes! That is something I’m forever grateful for.

Rest in peace Jim – you are still loved!

Terrie

See that gigantic smile? That’s one of the most inspiring men I know. And for very simple reasons. He was the runner who made me feel most welcome when I was first thrust amongst this crazy group (sounds like I had no choice doesn’t it…ha ha). But seriously, shy little me was shuffling (my version of running) down the trail and and this speedy guy kept passing me (he is a speed demon) and EVERY single time he did, he had such a big smile on his face and was so friendly and welcoming. He made me feel as if I belonged and was a part of the family already. Then as I got to know David more, I learned even more about him and he became even more inspirational to me.

He’s done (hope I get this right) 3 years of at least 52 marathons a year (and I think he’s going for much higher this year) and he’s working full time as well. He’s in his late 50s (hope he’s not like a woman who doesn’t want their age publicized..lol) and might just have turned 60 or be close to it (he’s creeping up on me). That type of perseverance by itself is just amazing to me. I don’t have that but would like to.

Then I found out they call him the Running Preacher but what I found more inspirational is that he’s running for a cause. And he doesn’t push it at all. He mentions it on his Facebook posts but doesn’t come up and stick it in your face. So take a look at The Water Project and see if it’s something you’d like to support. I did. And I love him for just caring enough to want people to recognize that his running means different things to different people.

David’s face makes everyone light up because his smile and enthusiasm is only surpassed by his friendliness and caring for others. The day I ran the 50 miler he was there being so supportive and cheering me on – with support like that, there’s no way you can quit. He makes you smile even when your legs hurt bunches. You know that with all his running his legs hurt a whole heck of a lot more than yours! You also never want to complain around him either. He is such a wonderful guy that I feel so blessed that I met him and have gotten to know him some. And hope that I can get to know him even more.

Thank you David for being such a selfless guy!

Terrie

Oops I skipped a day because of this “cold” I have. Sorry. But picking right back up where I left off. Today will be short because I have to go to work very very soon. But I wanted to let you know that I think that Reba McEntire is one of THE most inspiring people in the world.

She’s successful but it’s why she’s successful that impresses and inspires me, not just that she IS successful. She has the most amazing work ethic of anyone I know. I don’t think she ever takes a day off. To have such longevity as a great country singer by itself is amazing. You see and hear of all these one or two hit wonders and that’s really nice for them and they last on tour a few years but to do this over and over and over again for all the years (she made her first record recording in 1976 I believe) and continue to be successful with every single release she does is beyond belief. There are only a few legends that that happens to. And you know it requires perseverance and marked dedication. You just have to go on no matter what. You can’t cancel a show just because you have a cold – although I don’t know how you sing like she does if you have a cold – truly amazing to me. And you know what else – each release has to be hit -or you don’t go on – the music industry and fans are fickle – if they don’t like a song, you can go down the tubes. But Reba’s songs are masterpieces.

I saw her in concert in DC one time and aside from being blown away by her multiple costume changes during one show (I still don’t know how she did that so quickly and so perfectly) she hit a high note in one song and it’s the one and only time in my life I felt like my brain was going to explode from the perfect very high note. It made a very lasting impression on me. It also represented the immense power that Reba has despite her diminutive nature.

But she hasn’t just stuck to singing. She’s done a Broadway show – where, once again, you have to show up every single night no matter what. That takes dedication – there’s no “well I really need a day off” or “I just don’t feel like it tonight” – those are not even phrases in her vocabulary.

Then to top all that off she has her own TV show. Each of these things requires different talents and different requirements in your work habits.

Do you have this much work ethic? I don’t but when I think of Reba I stop feeling bad (or even stop feeling sorry for myself) and just think about what I need to be doing to move things along. She wasn’t “born into” success – she made it and fought for it! I want to be like Reba when I grow up!

Terrie