Another Life To Know ~ By Cara Haley

    There have been so many wonderful people throughout history who have created a difference, and their stories are leaked with pure inspirational influence. One life has the power to make a difference. It is astounding to know that there have been common people standing up to do good. What is even more astonishing is that a slave once got up from under captivity and thrived for a change. This one individual in particular started an innovation in early history.  They faced not only racial equality and social struggles, but an internal war of finding worth.  The magnificent individual I am speaking of is Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was born a slave, but he abolished that cruel life with his escape. After that, he was merely not satisfied to allow that bondage to continue. He joined and led the abolitionist movement that was against slavery. Speaking against slavery, his most powerful  voice was in the words he wrote. 

    Frederick Douglass wrote several autobiographers that opened that unknown dark  world to the reader.  Throughout the chronicles of his autobiographies, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom,  and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass,  a development of cause was felt and the reader could say that they were imbued by the simple meaningful words used. There was a certain element of power  and applause that follows him when he speaks. In his words, emotions were being poured out  and questions about the confusing need of control in life filled one's heart with sorrow. Privileges were stolen from the beginning. To always live in the confusion of not knowing who you belong to, or even to grow up without having the best wishes from your mother is heartbreaking. To have a settlement one moment, but to be torn apart at auction leaves an unbalanced life. To have your family all strangers or no family at all is unimaginable. This all though was quite common in a slave's life. Can you imagine witnessing such bloody horrors at such a young age? To be beaten and mistreated on a daily basics should stir some compassion in others. But no. Living in a lonely cold world where no one cares really breaks a soul apart. The isolation one felt goes along with the cold density of forgotten humanity amongst society.  The hopes of being free was what kept one living on. With no voice on the fate decided, one felt that their voice was no  good at all against the matter of command. To be washed around like a useless object of mankind's favoring, one will either break down under the pressure of absolute isolation or will risk their life to obtain that freedom that was dreamed of forever.

   Frederick Douglass' own life narrative went through how he escaped slavery and made greatness. All colors were shown. The vivid meaning behind the barbarous life of bondage was not  lightened. He showed his life to all views, and his personal desire was what left the reader devastated.  More than most, his life was a noble vindication of the highest aims of the American anti-slavery movement. He viewed the right and the wrong of life with the purpose of creating a  life of equality.  He allowed nothing to hinder him and his passion for equality still inspire many today. His words that shall never be forgotten is, "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong."  He left a living inspiration behind and I urge you to allow yourself to be drawn in another life. The unimaginable was a reality in his life, and in his words, struggle and freedom was felt.  Frederick Douglass is still a valuable figure today and shouldn't ever be forgotten. 

                A Little Inspiration ~ By Cara Haley

      Life can be difficult, when is it ever not? But we are stuck  living in it, and we ought to at least have a passion in mind, especially when going through implacable times. A little inspiration is always needed, especially in a middle of a distressing week. So here are some musing words that I hope will leave you imbued, and ready for the day with a flaming ambition. 
 

  

  

 

The Sight of the Blind by Cara Haley

     We all know the inspirational story of Helen Keller. She created a new meaning to life, one which she longed for others to share. Other than becoming a world famous writer and spokeswoman, Helen Keller accomplished many extraordinary additional aspects in her life, especially the fact of living a captivating one. She left behind a legacy, many foundations for others that had the same difficulties like her, and mostly, a dream for the future. Mrs. Keller spoke up for what she believed in and wasn't afraid to oppose others for what she thought was right. Her courage is admired and she earned praise for all of her accomplishments. Helen Keller was countless of things, including an author, political activist and speaker, but her story alone imbued life in many of ways. Never allowing her disabilities, deafness and blindness, block her from learning and seeking better ways to overcome all of the world's struggles, Mrs. Heller pulled through with a survivor's heart. That type of daring determination takes strength and Helen Keller knew several things about strength.
    Helen Keller became the first deaf-blind individual to earn a bachelor of arts degree. Although she never regained her stolen senses, Helen would not allow that to rob her goals of an exceeding life of excellence for herself and others. She learned and fought for more. Never doubting her ability, she was able to move throughout life with more capability than imagined and definitely much more than the average individual. But she wasn't left alone to walk through this journey. No, she had faithful encouragement from those who believed in her to achieve including Sarah Fuller, Mark Twain, Wilhelm Jerusalem, Polly Thomson, and of course, Anne Sullivan. The autobiography of hers, The Story of My Life, surely showed the conflict and rising triumph that she lived through. When there was little to no faith in her, Anne Sullivan came along when Helen was six years old and taught her. Helen's mind blossomed with the guidance of Mrs. Sullivan and their relationship bonded them through the rest of life's obstructive battles. With that, many was moved by this spiritual journey and hope blossomed in our hearts as well. Helen's autobiography purposed the play, The Miracle Worker  by William Gibson. It portrayed Helen's early life and keyed in on some of the main turnarounds that influenced so much more. All of the audience felt a new spirit championing and this simple act was another way of showing the world Helen Keller and her fulfilling hope she had within her.
    Helen Keller is remembered as an advocate for people with infirmity and she was proud to earn that position. She held on to the thought of improvement and how we all can move on after suffering. Her words that will always be a reassurance is,"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." Life will have its own downing, but it is up to us to rise above it all. We all have the power to do so, we only need to grasp unto it. Her personal essay, Three Days to See, was what truly gave us an insight of her wishes. But more importantly, it was the realization of our own gifts that we so often take for advantage that Helen impacted us deeply with. It broadens the point  on we all have something that someone else longs for. This brought us emotionally through the world that Helen experienced. All because she was blind doesn't mean she couldn't see life clearly. Words of hers that brought me to humility was " The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or ever touched-they must be felt by the heart." I think that Helen Keller saw life more than the rest of us and she gladly appreciated it, even when  all became despair. Although she was first lost, she was at last able to grab a purpose and achieve what she never at first dreamed of. That surprise  in her is what lead me to believe in myself, no matter the obstacles set up in life. So I thank Helen Keller for  her inspiration she had on me and I hope that you are able to experience something new by simply reading her wise words.

The Inspiration of a Humble Heart by Cara Haley

             There are many great empowering individuals who thrive for a change and create a revival for the future. Their legacy lives on for years and years to come. Many have made a deep affect in history, such as Martin Luther King Jr, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. I am personally, as a young woman, imbued by Mother Teresa and her ongoing caring characteristic. She lived an exceedingly humble life, one which she fully devoted to the better of others. She spread love where there have been little shown. Claiming a goal, she went all over the world, proving with humility that there was still some good in humanity. Living with love, she displayed a certain bright light we all have in us. Seeking first salvation, Mother Teresa saw the importance in life. In her book, Total Surrender, she spoke of the calling of the future and the power of the present, as well as our presence itself. When we lack confidence in ourselves, our presence loses its power. Mother Teresa believed that everyone has a certain ability; all we need is to embrace it. Once we accept who we are, we can then lead others with a compatible assurance.
           What I admire most about Mother Teresa is that she found joy in the simplest things of life. When she gave up certain pleasures in life to instead live like an orphan, joy remained in her heart. Seeing joy in every little detail in life, she truly lived. The words of hers that remain with me the most is: "Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love." Love was what she looked for when things were failing hopelessly. Never doubting, she stayed firm in her beliefs, finding lasting peace that settled in her heart. Like all humans, she had her own thoughtful opinions, and in her works, they were expressed with an amendable acceptance. I truly find pleasure inside when I read about how she opened her heart up to everyone, no matter the culture separation. She loved others, no matter the divining differences. I look up to that type of courage, for it takes a certain degree of strength to love another. She loved like she always been loved. Mother Teresa encourages us all to allow love to not  only be the flame in our hearts, but to be the fire that consumes the selfishness that lies there. Imagine if we took Mother's Teresa's example and loved without one narcissistic cause.  I believe with that bountiful love, one with no boundaries, the world will be changed once more for the better. With a refreshed heart, one with humility and much compassion, we truly can live life with a new beginning.

Gather Around, All You Young Folk by Robyn Scott

So do you remember Kony 2012? That video that came out almost a year ago? A lot of people have forgotten about it. The video was released in order to start the movement and to advocate the capture of African war lord, Joseph Kony. Joseph Kony is the head leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and is responsible for the abduction and murder of thousands of people. Most (especially those who dislike the organization promoting the capture and arrest of Joseph Kony, Invisible Children) think that the huge movement of justice and peace was a just a fad, and to be fair, many who supported it saw it as that. However that is not what the founders, and current supporters of IC want. 

The media with Invisible Children and Kony 2012 has burned out quite a bit. The videos that IC has released since Kony 2012 haven’t gotten near the attention. But that doesn’t mean that their fight is over. A lot of people think that since it’s 2013, that the Kony movement was a failure, and we’re just suppose to give it up now. That is hardly the case. 

Since the release of that video last May, the LRA has had two of their five main commanders captured. In addition, LRA killings have decreased 67%. That’s crazy! Invisible Children isn’t stopping here though. 

They are heading up a new project in relation to the takedown of Joseph Kony, and it’s called The Fourth Estate. The Four Estate is a Summit Leadership conference happening this August. This camp isn’t just for IC and their supporters though, and it’s not exclusively to stop Kony. It’s for everyone who has a passion for humanity and justice. 

They’ll be bringing speakers in from some of the most influential organizations out their, such as To Write Love On Her Arms, Do Something, Charity: Water, and so many others. Their goal is to inspire and teach the young minds of America, and encourage them to make a difference. By bringing new ideas to the table in order to advocate peace and justice throughout the world, we’re just getting that much closer to helping thousands if not millions of suffering families. If you’re passionate about bringing healing to the thousands of people struggling with self injury, they’ll have someone at the conference to talk to. If you want to bring awareness of the affects of bullying, homelessness, human rights, and others, there’s someone at the conference to talk to. And if you want to see clean water brought to every country in the world before you die, there are people at that conference who are waiting to talk to you.

There are a lot of great things that the young people (and old people, for that matter) of America can set their minds to. I believe that with the right knowledge, inspiration, and encouragement, we can do something amazing for our future. So gather around, all you young folk, we're going to change the world. 

If you’re interested in The Fourth Estate, or just wanting to know what happened to Kony 2012, here are a couple of videos to help with things.