Children Battling Cancer’s mission is to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and support the families affected by this grief stricken diagnosis. Awareness and support is done through special fundraisers and events, like  a Chemo Bag Awareness Fundraiser and a First Annual Charity Benefit Concert scheduled for April 2010.

Visit http://www.childrenbattlingcancer.com to learn more.

**The Gold Ribbon is for Childhood Cancer awareness.

And, guess what? I have found it, today on poz-art.com. I learned of some awesome news. You see, Poz-art, the people behind the book “I Love the World Because…” recently designed coloring pages to send off to “AFiveoh4Uplifting”, a charity that sends packages to children in the hospital and shelters, simply meant to brighten their days.

Judith and Julia Da Rocha (poz-art.com) and the woman behind AFiveoh4Uplifting, Tabitha are amazing individuals. I am not just saying this as an outsider observation. Both Judith and Tabitha have been guests on Your Blooming.  The fact that Judith and Tabitha formed a kinship in order to brighten the days of those in need, well, that gives me hope, that yes, Your Blooming is important, it has a purpose. If by some chance Your Blooming brought these two people together, well, that in and of itself is inspiring.

Thank you ladies for reminding me there are honest to goodness people out there doing good for others and not expecting anything in return. Inspiration to grow on, indeed.

Check out Poz-art.com for some amazing art, books and more: http://www.poz-art.com

Check out AFiveoh4Uplifting to learn more about Tabitha’s amazing charity: http://www.afiveoh4uplifting.org/

Meaghan talks about the story behind the charity (why it was started), tells how one can get involved and also shares a few touching stories that have occurred as a result of this inspiring project. Meaghan, herself is a Stage 3B Cervical Cancer Survivor and also shares her story. I was so moved by my conversation with Meaghan; I hope it does the same for you.

Visit Spirit Jump for more information.

I Kicked Cancer’s @ss
A blog Meaghan started to help others battling cancer find a support, resources and information.

Listen to the episode here.

It seems that sometimes we bring others down to our level, thinking they are exactly like we are..with the same thoughts and feelings. When in actuality, no two individuals are exactly alike. Respect others and they too, will do the same.

I spent my 32nd birthday doing one of the things I enjoy the most… Shopping!  After buying a new pair of jeans and smelling different lotions and body sprays at Bath and Body Works, I headed over to my most favorite store in the whole wide world, Barnes and Noble. Ever since I was a child, I loved books. They fascinate and inspire me. They bring a calmness over me, unlike anything else. I heart books. I really really do. Now, when I enter a bookstore, I just walk up and down the aisles, pretty much aimlessly, until something catches my eye. This day was like any other. As I was walking down one of the aisles a purple book with a snowflake on the front of it caught my eye. So, I stopped dead in my tracks and started flipping through the pages.

I was instantly amazed. The book titled “Snowflakes” by Kenneth Libbrecht was full of breathtaking images of snowflakes. The colors and complexities of these white pieces of ice were astounding! It turns out the author of the book is a physicist who captured the crystals seconds after they fell to the ground using microscopic photography.  Another thing that inspired me about the book so much, were the quotes interspersed throughout the book.  I am a sucker for a good quote — take this one for example on page 162 of the book:

“New beauty meets us at every step in all our wanderings.” – John Muir

To make a long story short, I bought the book. How could I not? When I came home, I told my husband about it with excitement in my voice and showed it to him. It did not speak to him like it spoke to me. However, that is okay. What inspires one, may not inspire others.  To this day, the book still inspires me. In fact, as I type this post, I am flipping through the pages and am again, astounded by the beauty of it all. Nature is amazing.

Live Science.com has an image gallery of Libbrecht’s snowflakes. Here is just a taste of what inspired me so:

http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/igviewer.php?gid=35

Also check out Kenneth Libbrecht’s website: http://www.snowcrystals.com