Tattooing to overcome obstacles - by Monica

View original article at app.com

I'm always a sucker for stories about people who have overcame their obstacles. To me, those stories touch my heart the most, and teaches people that no matter what bad things happen, it's not the end of the world. You can still thrive. Situations that life hand us aren't set in stone. You can rise above the circumstances you have gone through.

I read an article from the Asbury Park Press about a story like this -- a tattoo artist who overcame some tough obstacles. When I saw this, I figured it would be an appropriate topic to write about since Kristy and I both have tattoos (on a side note: the shooting star in our banner is actually the matching tattoo that Kristy and I have to represent never settling and always shooting for the stars).

Many people don't seem to see the importance of art (in any shape and form) and the outlet that it gives to many people. But 22-year-old New Jersey resident Kelly Murray used art to help her get out of an abusive home situation, give her something to focus on while her boyfriend was in Iraq and help pay for going to college. She told the reporter at APP that art provided her with an emotional outlet in her teens years during her troubled life at home.

She acknowledged the fact that tattoos hold a stigma, and I have met people who hold stereotypes about people with tattoos. But Murray knows that you need to do what you love and not care what others think. Because that is what led her to a happy life -- doing what she loves and getting away from those who put her down.

Everyday is worth while if you can make someone smile - by Monica

I have always believed that everyday is worth while if you can make someone smile.

I was reminded of my personal mantra when I read this article.


image credit: fredricksburg.com

A little girl had open-heart surgery when she was three and a stroke a few years later. Megan Robertson, now 9, said she listened to Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," which helped her to cope and be strong when she was relearning how to use the left side of her body.

According to the article on theboot.com, Megan went to McGraw's concert, making him a sign that said she needed a hug. Security brought her to the front, and McGraw sang straight to her and then invited her up on stage to dance with him.

This gesture made Megan feel like a princess having her fairy tale come true.

Famous or not, we all have to power to make someone's day. Just find what you are good at and channel it to make someone else feel loved, someone else feel special. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a dance or a hug with someone who looks like they could use it.

Java and the Gym - by Kristy

As an avid coffee consumer, I am always relieved to hear when new health benefits are found which relate to drinking coffee. I came across a story on Yahoo! news which explains that coffee can actually help energize you for your workout. The story states, "Yes, a caffeine kick could be a valuable addition to your pre-exercise routine, delaying muscle fatigue and keeping you focused and energetic." The key, of course, is not to overdo it. The entire story can be viewed here.

Hugh Jackman - by Monica

image credit slashfilm.com

I know, I know I'm a day late in my posting...and this is the first time since October when Miss Inspire began that I missed a day. But yesterday I was an extra in a Hugh Jackman film (and will more than likely be featured because the camera pointed towards me several times haha and I was upgraded to really good placement). I left for Detroit at 9 a.m. and didn't get home until 1:30 this morning. It was a 15 hour day of working, but it was a really great experience. I'm not allowed to give out any information about the scene or the place we were working on the movie, but I wanted to write a blog entry about it though. I learned a lot about what goes behind the scenes in a movie...and how many takes they do to just shot about 3 minutes of the movie. I'm really glad that the film industry is starting to make movies right here in Michigan -- to put the Detroit area in a better light than we have previously been and also to give people more jobs here. Many people working on the movie are from Michigan (like the hair dressers who worked on mine and my friend's hair and the make-up artists). It also gives more reason for people to come to Michigan, which really wasn't a touristy state before. I think the film business making movies in Michigan will help out our economy.

Read more about the movie "Real Steel."

100th Post + Ann Arbor Art Fair by Kristy

I am pleased to say that this is Miss Inspire's News' 100th post. It is great to see our blog grow and see what commitment, hard work, and ambition can achieve. We began this blog for fun and now readers can see it featured on the Oakland Press website under the blogs section.

A few entries back, Monica did a post on inexpensive and fun things to do in Michigan. See the post here. To add to that I wanted to offer another fun and inexpensive thing to do this summer, which is visit local art fairs- many cities offer various types of art shows which are usually outside in parks or on the streets downtown. Ann Arbor's art fair opens today and runs until Saturday. The entire story can be viewed here.

Football Star Hopes to Shine- by Kristy

Who is Zack Follett? He is a 23 year old linebacker for the Detroit Lions. He was a 7th round draft pick and before the NFL he played college ball at California.
Follett has been training hard and working intensely to earn his spot on the field. He has a high energy training video with boulder tossing and log lifting all while elevated 8,000 feet on a mountain in California. In each of his interviews he is hyped and more than ready to see what a second season in the NFL will bring him. That kind of drive and dedication will help lead an infamously struggling team to a comeback in the NFL.
Some fans are more optimistic than ever for the Lions' upcoming season.
Another thing that makes Follett stand out above a lot of other athletes is his charismatic personality and bright sense of humor. Fans really love interacting with their favorite teams and Zack has a fun outlet for fans to interact. You can follow him on Twitter @ZakarianFollett or you can check out his website ZakarianFollett.com to learn more about him. He is building a reputation for his personal home videos that shed a light on who he is on and off the field. It is great to see professional athletes put themselves out there, whether it is through social media tools or funny home videos, to interact with fans and make a name for themselves.

In the YouTube video below, Zack plays with Lions in order to learn how to be more aggressive on the field and to help raise awareness for the funding wildlife needs. Towards the end of the video he mentions his idea to help donate which involves fans and his artwork.



http://vimeo.com/user2977810/videos/page:1/sort:newest
Check out his video archive using the link above.

Reduce stress - by Monica

View original article: Be aware of stress to manage it BY Christy Strawser SPECIAL TO THE Detroit FREE PRESS

This is an article that I printed off and put on the bulletin board in my room because I liked it so much. I think that stress is something we all have to deal with...and it honestly effects not only our happiness but also our health. Things in life happen...but what does stressing out about it do? You have to pay bills & go to work & deal with people who may not treat you the way you deserve. These things happen...and worrying about it won't stop them from happening. Worrying prevents us from going out and DOING. We think of the worst possible outcome instead of thinking of the best. Or we worry about getting something done when, instead, we just need to take it one hour at a time and not focus on anything else. Because I learned the hard way that sometimes, stress can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. I don't want to be that person who is so stressed out about a job interview that, instead of being myself, I clam up during the interview. And, at my current job, I do a lot better at it when I just RELAX.

I know it's easier said than done. But here are some tips from an article Christy Strawser of the Detroit Free Press:

Set up a schedule. Create one that includes everything you need to do, but doesn’t leave time for anything unproductive. Include work, family time, whatever would lead to a more fulfilling life. Make it easier by putting weekly errands into one or two blocks of time and turning off the BlackBerry and television during set hours.

Learn to say no. Make no excuses for being selfish with your time. Saying no to requests to organize a fund-raiser or bake five dozen cupcakes may seem selfish, but could pay off for your health.

” Quiet time. Diana Fletcher, a Pittsburgh author and life coach, advises that people spend 15 minutes a day sitting quietly. “The problem is that we never stop,” Fletcher said. “We are always so busy trying to keep up with this crazy world — but we just can’t.”

Be in the moment. Feeling scattered in different directions is one of the major reasons people feel stressed, so decide to focus on what’s in front of you.


Exercise. When you feel overwhelmed, remember exercise is a wonderful stress reliever. Walking, riding a bike, swimming, dancing to the radio or skipping rope, even for just 15 minutes, releases feel-good endorphins.

Volunteers of America - by Monica

View original article: voa.org and postbulletin.com

This week, 30 national winners of People Magazine's "All-Stars Among Us" were honored at the All-Star Baseball game. Volunteers from around America were honored at the game. I know that the saying goes, "Nice guys finish last." But that's just not true. I'm sure these volunteers didn't do these good deeds to get recognized, or to finish first. But that's what happened. You may get a full-hearted "Thanks," just as these men and women did at the All-Star game. But the point of volunteering is helping out people just as you would want to be helped if you were in their shoes. It's about making a difference and making others' lives better. And, to me, no matter what, those kind of people never finish last. Be proud to be a nice guy or girl...just as these volunteers were.

Mr. and Mrs. Fisher - by Kristy

With a hit song called "Before He Cheats" one might think country music artist Carrie Underwood does not have a great dating record. But all that speculation has changed now that she has married her own real life "Cowboy Casanova" this past Saturday. Her new husband, Mike Fisher, is a professional hockey player and currently plays for the Ottawa Senators. After the wedding the couple made a statement to various reporters saying, "We could not feel more blessed to have found each other and to have shared this day with our friends and family that mean so much to us!"

Cheap things to do in Michigan - by Monica

In our hometown of Michigan, I know that sometimes it's hard to find different things to do on the weekend. I feel like most people spend their weekends either a) at restaurants or b) at the movie theater. Both of these options can not only add up, but get boring after a while. But most people are stumped on things to do in Michigan, so I will provide a list. You can find more cheap things to do in Michigan on Uptake's Cheap Attractions in Michigan.

- Get lawn seats to a concert at DTE Energy Music Theater. These seats are a lot cheaper, and, I know from experience that's it's always a memorable time with friends (more so than sitting in a dark theater). For a list of concerts at DTE this summer go to: DTE's 2010 schedule.
- Go to downtown Detroit, like to the Hart Plaza, which is free. There are fountains and several amphitheaters here, as well as music festivals in the summer. There is also a great view of the river and of our neighboring Canada.
- Go to a museum, like Detroit Institute of Arts or the Detroit Science Center.
- Go to the Comedy Castle in Royal Oak.
- Go to a park in your city, which is usually only $5 per car. You can go on hikes or go on a paddle boat for just $3 for half an hour.
- Go to the Woodward Dream Cruise in August.
- Go to a water park. There's one located in Madison Heights on 12 Mile Road and in Waterford on Scott Lake Road, for example.

"Probert" by Kristy

A legendary hockey player, Bob Probert, passed away Monday at the age of 45. He played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was known for his tough guy enforcer role on the ice, though off the ice those who knew him called him a teddy bear. His career penalty minutes total 3,300 and that is the 5th highest in NHL history. At first glance, this story is tragic as he died so suddenly. But I think it is important to remember him as the icon that he is. He is a hero and deserves to be remembered by hockey fans across the globe. Please keep his wife, children, and close family + friends in your prayers.

"Breakaway Commercial" by Kristy

No more texting while driving - by Monica

Watch video of the dangers of texting and driving at oprah.com
Photo credit and read original article: The Oakland Press



Yesterday the new ban was put into place in Michigan that it is a civil infraction for drivers to read, write or send a text while driving, and offenses will cost the driver $100 the first time and $200 after that.

I'm not going to lie. I have texted and driven. And I have talked to many people within this past week who too have the bad habit of texting and driving. And ALL of them said they know they shouldn't do it. And, although they have been guilty of this, they are ALL glad this ban is taking place. Everyone said this will make them think twice before texting. This ban has become like a guardian angel on the shoulders of drivers, screaming at them to put down their phone and drive. And I know this ban will save many, many lives. Texting and driving impairs drivers just like alcohol does. Drinking and driving is very much illegal. So I agree...something should be done about texting and driving as well. Lives will be saved, and I think this is something that is very much happy news.

So think before you pick up your phone while behind the wheel. If the thought of driving safe won't stop you, maybe the thought of losing some dough will.

You can sign a petition that you won't text and drive at: Oprah's No Phone Zone Pledge