Archive for November, 2009

Short Video, Great Advice: Think Different

Posted on: November 30th, 2009 by Lori Deschene - 8 Comments

I realize this video is a little old, but I never saw it before and I feel compelled to share it here.

So often in life we limit ourselves to the confines of what’s reasonable. People who change the world aren’t always reasonable.

They imagine possibilities other people wouldn’t think to consider. They let themselves dream, and then take action, fully convinced they can create that reality. They hope, and believe, and persevere, inspiring others to get outside their comfort zones, too.

It all starts with a simple thought.

I’m committed to being crazy, a rebel, a round peg in a square hole. Someone who sees things differently. Someone who changes things. Are you?

Uplifting Short Video: The Pink Glove Dance

Posted on: November 27th, 2009 by Lori Deschene - 3 Comments

Workers at Providence St. VIncent Medical Center created this awesome little video to promote Breast Cancer awareness. What an amazing celebration of love, life, and hope. Huge smile on my face. Happy Saturday everyone!!

On Seizing and Losing a Dream

Posted on: November 25th, 2009 by Lori Deschene - 11 Comments

lonely-girlby Lori Deschene

It felt meaningful to me because I’d been there.

Junior high was difficult for me. At that point in time, I didn’t like myself and I was desperate to be accepted. In elementary school I was chubby; I wore a back brace for scoliosis; and I had braces and headgear for my crooked teeth and overbite.

Perhaps I grew crooked because there wasn’t a ton of sunlight in my pretty older sister’s shadow. Less poignant but likely more accurate, I was a kid with insecurities, like so many other kids across the world.

Whatever the case may be, I struggled, and was teased a lot, and hurt a lot, for a lot longer than necessary.

When Six78th Magazine–a new ‘tween publication with national distribution–advertised for writers in 2006, I felt I’d found my calling. (more…)

Awesome Short Video: We’re All in This Together

Posted on: November 5th, 2009 by Lori Deschene - 13 Comments

This video sent chills down my spine. Enjoy!

4 Things I Learned While Walking Across the Country

Posted on: November 4th, 2009 by Lori Deschene - 13 Comments

open-roadby Lori Deschene

What better city to begin a journey of over 3.5 million steps than NYC, a place that never stops moving? After living, struggling, and learning in the apple for a little over two years, I was primed for an adventure beyond. It took me 10 minutes to complete a 10-page application for Steps Across America, a fitness tour that would take 12 walkers across the country on-foot.

I was perfect for the job. I’d gone from alarmingly underweight to fit and healthy, and I’d spoken at several schools to help others get healthy, too. Equally important, the job was perfect for me. Each walker would maintain a blog about her experience, meaning I’d finally have an opportunity to use my education and start a writing career.

Except I didn’t get that opportunity.

I made it through two rounds of the application process before the hiring team chose me as an alternate, in case one of their staff members got injured.

I attended the training session determined to achieve the impossible—to get a spot on that tour even though there were none. And somehow I made it happen. I left that day with the title of dog handler, entrusted with the Iams spokesdog.

The experience of failing, striving, achieving, adapting, and traveling taught me a lot about life. Here’s a little of what I got from that adventure: (more…)