Labor Day Thoughts

My work ethic was inspired by my grandfather,F. L. Millwee.A truly remarkable man,he came to Indian Territory at age 6. Times were hard, housing would've been considered substandard. His mother died in childbirth while he was a boy. He lived to 102,sharing a rare agricultural vision. One accomplishment was the 1st electrical dairy in western Okla. Nothing was too hard for him. He was our family labor day model.  (note: I was so overwhelmingly busy the past couple of weeks that I'm just making sure I've updated my blog from my Facebook page.) Yes, I know, there's a way to get it all done in one whack, but I'm technologically challenged about how to do that at this point. I'll eventually get it all figured out.  

DON'T, AND I MEAN DON'T STOP BELIEVING

If there could be a theme song for inspiration, perhaps it would be the rock song by the group, Journey. Yes folks, I'm talking about "Don't Stop Believing". We've heard it on the radio, the whole song, bits and pieces on various TV shows and movies, here and there wherever we go. Its message of not giving up and catchy tune have led to it being the most downloaded song ever in the 20th century. When asked what they thought about being the most downloaded song, Jonathon Cain, one of the writers and group members said, "We did something right in the studio, we did something right when we wrote the song, we hit a chord."

It began with a germ of an idea of the keyboard player, Jonathon Cain. He said he was starving before he joined Journey, living in totally hard times, not knowing where his next pay-check was coming from. He was borrowing money from his father, who wouldn't let him come back home to Chicago. His father would always tell him to "stay there, something good is going to happen, don't stop believing". (I believe Cain may have been living in San Francisco at this time.)

Jonathon sat down one afternoon with a catchy chorus based on his father's advice, along with Neil Schon, the group's guitarist and Steve Perry, Journey's then lead singer and that same afternoon they had come up with what would become the rock and roll classic, "Don't Stop Believing". The rest is as they say, history. In 1981 when the song was released, it barely broke into the top ten. However, it's surpassed anything else on the billboard list with it that year.

Several times since, the band has broken up, going into hiatus or hibernation, which is usually a death knoll song for your group. But, thanks to this song the journey was not over for Journey. The group has gone through a variety of incarnations, one of the most interesting their current one. Since 2007, the band's lead singer has been Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, who became homeless after his mother's death. Arnel was discovered through YouTube, and replaced retired lead singer, Steve Perry. Arnel feels like the theme of "Don't Stop Believing" became his mantra to succeed. He has used his success with the band to give back to the underprivileged youth of his home country and formed a foundation to help with their health care, education, and advocacy.

So the next time you hear this song, you'll know the story behind it. The next time you want to give up, whether you've been encouraged or not - think of Jonathon Cain, who could have hitchhiked back to Chicago instead of writing what would become the most downloaded song or Arnel Pineda, who could have remained homeless instead of posting a video on YouTube that lead to success as a lead singer in a band. Our lives are filled with examples all around us of people who never gave up. Live the life God created you for. Don't give up. Don't stop believing there is something better for you.  

Another Story Of One Who Was Inspired To Survive

Before Candid Camera...before America's Funniest Home Video's...paving the way was Art Linkletter's House Party TV show. Every summer afternoon my sisters and I were home as little girls, we loved to watch him interview children on his show. During the 1950's he became a daytime television staple. Little children from around the Los Angeles area were chosen to appear in special segments every day called Kids Say The Darndest Things. I'm sure some were natural born talkers who would say anything, others were probably the one the teacher most needed a break from. What we got in exchange was hilarious, refreshingly honest television, as children said whatever came off the tops of their heads as he interviewed them. It's estimated he interviewed 23,000 children over the 27 years of the show. 

Looking back into the past of Art's early life, it's amazing he achieved what he did. Started off on a rocky path when he was abandoned by his parents in infancy, he was adopted by a minister and his wife. He came of age in the Great Depression of the 1930's. With no jobs available, he took to riding the rails and doing odd jobs around the USA. Eventually, he found a way to go to college. After college he had the opportunity to work in radio, which he said "paid better than the teaching" that he was educated for. Radio led to movies and eventually, a new industry called television. He had all the characteristics of a great talk show host: quick thinking, good in front of an audience, a sense of humor, and a great inteviewing skills - the roots of his skills could probably be traced back to the years he rode the rails as a young man.  The most beloved part of every show was when he interviewed the young children that would say ANYTHING on nationwide television. These television episodes led to multiple books with collections of the childrens' sayings. 

Art and his wife enjoyed one of the longest lasting celebrity marriages of all times - 74 years! After his daughter Diane died a tragic death, he used much of his remaining years to advocate against drug use. Art Linkletter exemplifies being a person inspired to survive sucessfully in spite of a rocky start in life and tragic family events.

Words Of Encouragement From Audrey Hepburn

And now a few words from one of my favorite 1960's movie star, Audrey Hepburn. "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible'." 


Many do not realize what struggles Audrey Hepburn had during her child and teen years. She grew up in Europe in the Nazi occupied country, The Netherlands. Her admired slim beauty was actually a result of the nutritional deprivation she experienced during her formative years. They had to live on so little food during the war, that later when she was able eat properly her body would not process the food correctly and allow her to gain weight. In her later years, she became an avid humanitarian for the refugees around the world, because she knew too well what it was like to live as a child in a war torn country.  She remembered being so hungry they made flour from tulip bulbs to make bread. Doesn't seem possible does it?

The Influence of One Man

146 years ago this past April,  Abraham Lincoln died from the assassination attempt from the night before. We would be hard pressed to think of a single American who did more for his country. He achieved much in the time he had on earth. He did not allow himself to be held back from achieving a good life because he was born in a 1 room cabin and only received 18 months of formal schooling. He had to read law books on his own because he couldn't afford to go to law school. He became a successful lawyer who even argued a case before the Supreme Court. Considered a gifted orator and debator, he started out in the political arena by getting elected as a state representative. His debates with Stephen Douglas in the 1858 U.S. Senate race are still considered the outstanding political debates of all time, although Douglas defeated him in that electoral race. Two years later he received the nomination to run for U.S. President, which as we all know, he won, becoming the 16th President. He would go on to change the course of this country for all times. All of us owe gratitude for Abraham Lincoln. Because of him, we took a stand in the world that slavery was wrong. Because of him, we started on the road for a better life for all mankind. Because of him, we have greater tolerance today. Do we live in a perfect place? Maybe not. But, I definately believe we live in a better place because the man that signed his name, A. Lincoln worked, lived, and died for his beliefs for his country.

Inspired To Make A Difference In The Life Of Others

Dave Pelzer is an adult survivor of child abuse.  He has written 7 books to encourage others. His first book, A Child Called It details experiences so horrific it is hard to imagine - much less read about. I do not see how he kept from becoming a monster. Instead, he grew up to educate others about child abuse and why it must not be allowed. I believe we must all make a conscious effort to improve life for children. His newest book is Moving Forward - Taking The Lead In Your Life.  If you want to read some inspiring words about one who is truly inspired to survive, check out Dave Pelzer's books.