This week Awesome Stories brings you possibilities, connections with nature, spiritual evolution.
Anything is Possible
Jen Bricker is an amazing young woman. She was born without legs and given up for adoption. Her adoptive family gave her endless love and support to do anything she wanted. Jen was fascinated by Dominique Moceanu and gymnastics so she decided to try tumbling and went on to compete at the state level, placing 4th competing against able-bodied athletes. More amazing is that Dominique turned out to be her sister by her birth parents! Jen also played softball and volleyball, then later performed as an aerial artist with various troops on national tours. Lately, her focus has been on public speaking to inspire others to push beyond limits and fear to live fully. You can learn more about Jen’s inspiring story on her website or the video below.
Prison Moss Project
Nalini Nadkarni is a forest ecologist and researcher who loves sharing her passion for nature. Not surprising to me, she found that bringing touches of nature into prison helped the inmates reduce stress and violence, find connection and meaning. She helped start the Prison Moss Project in 2003 at the Cedar Creek Correctional Center in Littlerock, Washington in an effort to both reduce the harvesting of wild moss in the Northwest and bring touches of nature to the inmates. They were eager to try the project, leading to an avalanche of research, learning, building a greenhouse, creating a garden, and changing lives. The project led to better social connections and a sense of contributing to nature by growing mosses and many other plants. Even inmates simply shown videos of nature showed a reduction in stress, agitation, and violence. The project also thrived because Washington and other state facilities are eager to create sustainable projects that reduce their environmental footprint and sometimes save money.
Poetry as Touchstone
I really resonate with many of the insights from this article by Joanna Macy. She found a book of poems by Rainer Maria Rilke called Book of Hours that has become a sort of touchstone for her life, offering insights and pointers for her life journey. While I haven’t integrated my Christian upbringing Buddhist studies like Joanna, I do relate to the idea of layers of truth, circling the center, but never complete. The more I study, question, and ponder, the less I know anything as certain. Joanna writes about how many of Rilke’s poems spoke to her heart and offered insights for her journey. Read her touching article called The Force of the Storm to learn more about Joanna’s fascinating journey and her beautiful insights gleaned from Rilke’s poetry.
May your week be full of inspiration, connections with nature, and spiritual evolution.
writing to freedom 
Wow… that’s a truly amazing coincidence about Jen and her birth sister.
Thanks for this morning inspiration, Brad. Hugs!
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Thanks Teagan. It also seems to show how we just know things. They probably share a deep connection even though they were separated at her birth. hugs and punk play! 🙂
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All inspiring articles, I was especially inspired by the first one…overcoming those types of obstacles to succeed….wow! Powerful and am glad she is devoting her time to share that message!! Thanks for sharing Brad!
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Thanks Kirt. Jen has an amazing attitude and drive!
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Wonderful stories as always. Your first story is something else! What a world that these two sisters met in the gymnastics world despite what happened to Jen. Wow. You just never know how things will work out. Haha. Sending you hugs and I hope you’re having a good weekend!
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Thanks for the hugs and blessings Cynthia! Jen’s is definitely an inspiring story. Peace out!
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All awesome stories! I found the last one intriguing. My Buddhist friend tells me that Buddhism is not necessarily a religion, but more of a way of living. I sometimes think of God as being at the center of the wheel of the universe and different religions exist between the spokes of the wheel but can also flow in and out of each other. My home is in the Christian section, but I see and sometimes visit truth between the other lines.
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I love your spokes of the wheel analogy. Another I like is different paths up the mountain. Either way I’m glad to share the journey with many loving souls like yourself.
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I like the paths to the mountain, too. I’m happy to share the journey and that we can wave at each other and smile even if our paths are not the same. 🙂
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Exactly JoAnna. The world could use a lot more tolerance and compassion for differing views. 🙂
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I agree!
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Reblogged this on Anything is Possible! and commented:
This weeks “Awesome Stories” from Brad flow with inspiration, hope, and thoughtfulness.
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Lovely, inspiring stories Brad! I loved the story of Jen Bricker in particular – amazing!
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Thanks Helen. She has quite a story!
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Some very inspiring posts here, Brad. That first story is amazing, especially the two ladies being related like that.
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Thanks Robbie. Yes, Jen’s story is amazing on many levels.
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