Category Archives: Inspiring

Sometimes It Takes a Hero, A Leader, And Teamwork

Posted on March 16, 2013 by russtowne

A boy is drowning in the ocean. A crowd gathers on the beach. A man runs out to try to save the boy. Despite his best efforts, he can’t drag the boy and himself to safety and begins floundering. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Breakthroughs, Courage, Creativity, Fear, Ingenuity, Inspiring, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged boy, breaks, broken, drowning, help, Hero, human chain, leader, New Zealand, NZ, rescue, teamwork, undertow, waves | 10 Comments

The Harmonica Man

Posted on March 12, 2013 by russtowne

He’s 77 years old, has had 10 heart surgeries, quit taking all 15 of the medicines he was given, and then he decided to make a difference in the world for thousands of children. You’ll be amazed at what he … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Authentic Living, Challenges, Children, Commitment, Creativity, Following Your Passion, Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Talent, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged children, harmonica, Harmonica Man, heart surgeries, music, School, strumsticks | 8 Comments

The Ones Who Make Our Souls Blossom

Posted on March 10, 2013 by russtowne

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. (Thank You) – Marcel Proust (A friend posted this on Facebook) This saying brought a smile to my face and … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Inspiring, Joy & Happiness, Making the World a Better Place, Quotes I Love | Tagged charming, charming gardeners, Friend, gardener, gardeners, grateful, Marcel Proust, people, share, smile, souls blossom | 6 Comments

Songwriting Update and Two Photo/Artwork Contests

Posted on March 10, 2013 by russtowne

No More Secrets No More Lies Final Mix w Loralee MP3 WFH LC 102512 Katie Sue Final Mix w truck Noises MP3 23oct12 The first song I listed on song-selling sites, “Nature’s Symphony” so far has had digital distribution via … Continue reading →

Posted in Beauty, Contests, Following Your Passion, Imagination, Inspiring, Music, Nature, Talent | Tagged "No More Secrets/No More Lies", art, CD Baby, CDBaby.com, contest, Contests, images, Katie Sue, lies, Muve Music, Nature's Symphony, secrets, song, Spotify, XBox Music | 1 Comment

When Words Aren’t Enough

Posted on March 7, 2013 by russtowne

This post is longer than most that I send, and it has even been abbreviated from the version I received from a friend. I believe it to be true but haven’t Snopesed it because I WANT it to be true, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Goodness, Heroes, Honor, Inspiring, Kindness, Loss, Making the World a Better Place, Stories That Touched Me, Teamwork | Tagged airline pilot, children, compassion, Family, freedom, honor, loss, sacrifice, serviceman, support, teamwork | 14 Comments

All Heroes To Me

Posted on January 30, 2013 by russtowne

These people are all heroes to me. They are window washers at a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh. Can you imagine what it would feel like to be seriously ill and see Spiderman, Superman, or Batman right outside your window, waving … Continue reading →

Posted in Attittude, Compassion, Heroes, Ingenuity, Inspiring, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Photos That Touched Me | Tagged Batman, childrens', Heroes, hospital, Pittsburgh, Spiderman, superheroes, Superman | 12 Comments

Spirit-Shiners

Posted on January 22, 2013 by russtowne

I just saw a saying that I like: “Spend time with those who make your spirit shine.” (Unknown) That sounds like wisdom to me. I believe the use of such time is really an investment rather than an expenditure, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspiring, Joy & Happiness, Making the World a Better Place, Optimism, Quotes I Love | Tagged better, friends, inspired, Life, readers, shine, spirit, spirit-shiner, spirit-shiners, world | 12 Comments

Dying Boy Closer to World Record

Posted on December 28, 2012 by russtowne

Dalton Dingus knows that the world really does care. That’s something that many adults in the world have yet to learn. Dalton is a little boy who is dying, but has his heart set on breaking a Guinness world record … Continue reading →

Posted in Abundance, Adversity, Challenges, Children, Goodness, Inspiring, Joy & Happiness, Kindness, Stories That Touched Me | Tagged Christmas cards, Dalton Dingus, Guiness, Kentucky, world record | 7 Comments

The Goofiest Christmas Tree and Beach You Ever Saw

Posted on December 5, 2012 by russtowne

A Most Unusual Christmas Tree Visitors who come to our home near the holidays are often struck by the sight of a most unusual Christmas tree. Instead of a fir or some other traditional kind, we have a palm tree. … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Challenges, Children, Choices, Creativity, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Dreams, Family "Fun", Generosity, Inspiring, Pain & Grief, Parenting, True Stories I've Written | Tagged beach, beach incurable, bonfire, built, Crhristmas tree, disease, friends, fun, palm tree, sand, splashing, star, unusual | 6 Comments

Dancing In The Rain

Posted on December 2, 2012 by russtowne

I just received an email from one of my favorite relatives that showed photos of a young boy maybe 6-8 years old riding a horse, playing baseball, ice hockey, and field hockey, running, water skiing, and more. In each photo … Continue reading →