Though we walk different paths, we are on this life journey together, and we all have a story to tell..

You never know what a difference you can make in someone else's life!

Inspirational Stories

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two person's connecting fingers
two person's connecting fingers

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*The stories provided below are for inspirational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional advices

a tiger with its mouth open

(Rita)

I was going thru so much in my life. I was 10 years old at the time and had recently met my older cousin who came to live in the united states from Cuba. He was about 25. It was always weird around him. He would give me looks and make me feel uncomfortable. For the next 3 years that followed I was tormented with his sexual abuse. I was so scared to say something and tear my family apart after coming together so I kept quiet. After growing up I thought it was all past me but instead it haunted me till after I turned 25. Life was getting serious and talks of having a baby with my fiancé, was coming up. I was so traumatized that I didn't want to kids but he did so I spoke up about the abuse thinking it would help after so many years. He was supportive but it made our relationship hard so we ended up not getting married after all and my family disowned me. Since I didn’t speak up when I was a child, they thought I lied. Years passed and I had 2 kids with someone else but my kids father got into drugs. I was so alone. He left us and I had no where to go so I reached out to my family hoping we could mend our relationship again but no luck. I was facing an eviction, broke and no job or baby sitter so I could work. It was then I was only able to see 2 good things I was grateful for. My kids and a friend who was willing to help me with a room at her house for a few weeks. I took my kids to work cleaning houses with me and got back on my feet in no time. My kids were my motivation to get us out of that situation pronto! I also had to reach out to churches, charities, and I traded my services for babysitting . I never lost hope thanks to being grateful for them. I wanted more for them too. So my mindset helped. All along I kept my focus on them and we pulled through. I asked myself why we had to go thru so much and after a while I realized if I wasn't put in that situation, I wouldn't be who Iam today. I got stronger and made sure I put my 2 little blessings ahead of my fears and stopped second guessing everything. Now Iam a beauty salon business owner, I own my own home and have an associates in business management. It hasn't been easy and their father is still out of the picture but I had to be rocked out of a bad place in my life to get to a better place. Every situation has a bigger purpose even if we don't see it. Dont lose hope. All is takes is Braveitude!!

(John)

I lost my wife of 15 years last year and was depressed everyday. I didn't want to get out of bed, talk to anyone, I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to live. I thought of suicide, I can’t lie. Those were very lonely times. but I managed to come across an old friend one day and he said I needed to find my purpose to give me strength and so on but how was I supposed to know how and at that point in my life I just wanted to die but he pointed out my adult kids who are all over 40 now, but they didn't need me. He pointed out how I’m blessed to have what some don’t (family) even if I don't get to see them much. He said to live for those blessings each day no matter what’s happened. I started calling them more, showing up unexpectedly and surprisingly there was always something needing to get done and it kept my mind busy. I did this for a week and they started to call me more. Asking for help and advice. There is a reason I’m alive and its to serve them. Boy am I glad my friend jolted me out of that. Enjoy what you do have and can call a blessing before its gone or before your gone. Share an ear or a hand. Make yourself useful to someone else and you will figure it out. I found my braveitude when I realized my 40+ year old kids still needed me. Had I not listened to the advice of my friend, I probably wouldn't be here writing my story. Braveitude is what he was trying to explain. Took me a minute but I got it now :)

(anonymous)

I remember when I was 12 and going to school felt like hell because everyone in my 7th grade was mean! I was not used to feeling scared or insecure till that year. I dreaded having to face my usual bullies and everyday got harder until one day when I got the courage to face them. One of them pulled my hair and next thing I knew, I was fighting. I had never been in a fight and I was worried my mom was going to be real mad when she found out. I thought, thats it Iam getting grounded for life! She got to the school and immediately started to defend me, saying it was self defense because she knew about the bullies way before all this. I never felt so grateful to have a mom who sticks up for me even though we weren't even getting along much at the time. Only thing I worried about was once they got back from suspension it was gonna be bad. I thought it would be worse then before and the next few days I tried to brace for it but when they came back to school I showed no fear even if I was in fear but they didn't bother me ever again. I never knew I could act so brave but I knew my mom had my back and I guess that was when I found my braveitude because till my last day as a senior, school was a breeze. Nobody messed with me again lol :) #Braveitude

(anonymous)

I discovered Braveitude during the darkest moments after my moms passing. I struggled to cope so I turned to alcohol and hit rock bottom after losing my apartment, my job and even my friends. No matter what I did I couldn't stop. Everytime I thought of her I just wanted to numb myself. The road ahead was looking bad but I concentrated on the positive in my life which wasn't much, I lost it all and was homeless but I thought about my little sister. She was taken care of by my aunt but I wanted her with me. I kept my eye on the goals I wanted and slowly, I began to seek help, going to AA meetings, got a job, eventually rented a place and I made true changes. I achieved stability and sobriety by the grace of god and now I offer support to others with their recovery of drugs and alcohol. I never knew what I had in me. I'm 4 years sober now and life couldn't be better. I use Braveitude when I coach people battling addiction and it certainly makes a difference in their outlook on life. It helps them see what I saw, that they have a reason to be here. Life's too short to live in a blur being drunk or high. That's all temporary. My advice to everyone facing those same battles is to stay focused on what you want, what you got that's worth it and think of what change can bring. One day at a time. You can do it!

(anonymous)

I think I really showed some Braveitude standing up for my true passion. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Although my parents had hoped I'd go to college, I couldn't pass up the music contract of my dreams. It took a lot of courage to walk away from their dreams of me being a doctor or a lawyer, but now, several years later, I have become well known for my passion in music and my relationship with my parents is stronger than ever. They realized I could make even more money doing what I love. Looking back, I know I made the right choice, even if it was difficult. If I hadn't been grateful for that opportunity and been brave enough to follow my heart, I wouldn't be where I am today. You can be anything you want as long as you believe in yourself*

(Tony)

Back in the day, I went through some heavy stuff. Lost my folks in a brutal car wreck when I was just a kid 9 years old. Ended up bouncing around foster homes with some seriously rough scenes. Mentally and physically, it was crazy but you know what kept me hanging? The dreams my real folks had for me. They were the best, always pushing me to be my best. Their memory guided me through some pretty sketchy times. I was lucky to have them for 9 solid years, and I'm grateful for every moment. So I focused in my studies, determined to make something of myself. When I hit 18, it was like a signal to blaze my own trail. It wasn't all good tho. Plenty of troubles and doubts along the way, but I never lost sight of what my folks wanted for me. Landed a gig at this pizza joint, grinding six days a week for 2 and a half years and slowly but surely, I started seeing a future for myself. Looking back, it's not just about the stuff I've achieved. It's about the fire in my belly, the guts in my heart, and the belief in my mind. It was Braveitude. My story's proof, if I can turn things around by focusing on that one good thing ( my real folks), anyone can. So don't waste time stressing about stuff you can't change. Focus on what the future can bring. Stay brave, stay stoked! 🤙

(Evelyn)

Losing my daughter Emma to cancer was devastating. We spent so much time in hospitals, facing tough treatments, and fearing the worst. When Emma passed away, I felt broken inside. but instead of letting grief consume me, I decided to honor her by helping other parents going through similar struggles. I got trained in grief support and started volunteering at the hospital where Emma left us. I wanted to be there for families facing the same pain we did. It's been tough, but knowing that Emma's memory is helping others brings me comfort and purpose. She taught me to be strong, and I'm grateful for that every day. The hurt never truly fades, but each day becomes a bit more bearable. If you're going through something similar, I understand your pain. Even when all you want to do is stay in bed and cry, choosing to keep moving forward will eventually lighten the load. Despite the ache, there's a bigger purpose waiting to be found. Search for it and let it guide you, it's up to us to find meaning in the midst of it all.

(anonymous)

My story began with the creep of my stepfather and his friends who sexually abused me at the age of 11. till I was 13. Who knew the men who would come to our family parties had such a private sick life. It was all about the money to them, They didn't care who it was as long as you could make them money. I was just 11 when it started and each day blurred into the next after the first time. It was a cycle of abuse and disgust and my mom was oblivious to everything because she was too busy being drunk. It started at my house and then his warehouse where they kept me there for almost a year but I refused to give up on hoping to be free. I thought about everything I loved and missed and it kept me from losing my faith. Then one day, police came in the door and saved me. I couldn't believe it, I was finally free!!! It was hardest thing I ever had to face but it didn't end there. The next few months I had to tell them everything I went through and remembering and talking about it haunted me day in and day out. I was in a battle against the demons that tortured me everyday so that they could be put away for a long time. I told them everything and now they are locked up for life! My healing was and still is very hard but I refuse to let my past define me. Every day Iam grateful for getting saved and I live to be stronger. To whoever reads my story, remember there are worse cases out there. Use braveitude in all and be thankful everyday for your life and what you love most. You have value!!