Category: Love

ZEST

This week I watched an unbelievable woman win an incredibly challenging dance competition. Her age was only one of the amazing things about her.

It would have been impossible to guess her age if I’d been asked to try. Standing in her skin tight dress next to her 35 year-old male partner, she was stunning and every inch as fit as he was – and she was 71 years-old.

They were dressed like figure skaters and as the dance began, they moved so graceful and smooth, that they looked more like ice skaters than dancers. They twirled, turned, twisted and spun to the point of making me a little dizzy just watching. At one point, her partner swung her around and around in circles while holding on to just one ankle and wrist. I felt my own limbs ache a little as I watched.

When they finished to a standing ovation, I noticed something in her face that I couldn’t describe right away.

That night I was lying in bed thinking about the grueling workouts it took for that beautiful 71 year- old woman to master such a difficult dance routine. I finally knew the word that described the look on her face and the glow that was surrounding her.

It was her Superpower. It was her ZEST!

Her ZEST for life I witnessed in that moment will forever inspire me.

ZEST wasn’t a Superpower I wrote about in Superpowers Activated. If I had seen that beautiful woman exhibit such grace, strength and accomplishment before writing the book, ZEST would definitely have been included.

What gives you ZEST for life? Can others see it? Is it your Superpower?

ZESTfully yours,

– Debbie

p.s. You can see Quin Bommelje and her partner in the America’s Got Talent competition here.

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Commitment

Anything that grows in the desert deserves respect for the commitment. In this stunning sunrise in Tucson, Arizona taken by Jennifer Mouso, the rising sun and the tree standing tall actually seem committed to each other.

Finding purpose and growing into it has it’s challenges but is always worth the commitment.

Stand tall,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Have a sunrise photo you’d like to share? Send it to contact@superpowers365.com. We’ll mention you and let you know when it posts.

Me Too

I was reluctant to participate when I saw the Facebook posts Me Too. It felt like I would be saying I’m a victim, and that’s not how I see myself.

After I read a few stories people shared about triumph, I realized it was time for me to shout from the tree tops…ME TOO!

This conversation is not about abuse or oppression. It’s about how our abilities to Rise Above them defines our lives and develops our Superpowers.

Courage to Rise Above fear

The fear that the abuse would not stop, the fear that no one would believe me, the fear that I would not be loved didn’t hold me back.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Courage was the Superpower ignited within me the day I took a stand and said no more to my childhood abuser.

Confidence to Rise Above shame

For me there was an undeniable feeling of shame that these unspeakable acts of a very sick individual even happened to me. What if it was my fault?

I had to hear it out loud, many times from someone I trusted, to finally believe that it wasn’t my fault. The Confidence I eventually found in standing up changed my life and the lives of those around me for good.

Forgiveness to Rise Above anger

Well if it wasn’t my fault, why did it happen to me? Where were my protectors? How dare they abandon me to this injustice!

Rising above this cloud requires activating many Superpowers, the first is Forgiveness.

The intentional act of Forgiveness brings a healing light into my soul.

Serenity to Rise Above despair

The Serenity Prayer has been the go-to mantra throughout my life when I feel conflicted, need direction or simply need to find peace with my own actions. Even when our actions are for good, it doesn’t always feel that way.

Serenity Prayer

“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

 Thank you to everyone who posted Me Too. Action and Faith will help us all Rise Above.

Let’s Soar,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. I’m obsessed with sharing beautiful sunrises from around the world and want to thank everyone who has sent one. The incredible sunrise photo in this post is courtesy of Ronda Henderson.

If you have a sunrise photo in your phone begging to be shared, send it to contact@superpowers365.com or PM us on Facebook. We’ll mention you in the photo and let you know when it posts.

 

Transcending Tragedy

Reading news about added security at the 46th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta being held in New Mexico this week is a reminder that we are still reeling from last Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the aftermath of any traumatic event, every person is different in their process of healing and recovery. Whether we are directly or indirectly impacted by the traumatic event, there is a healing process that is unique to every individual.

Like many of my friends, I am having a difficult time grappling with the shooting in Las Vegas that happened the evening of October 1, 2017. I know it has only been a week and it is reasonable that we are still grieving for those affected.

The actions of KINDNESS that so many are taking to improve the lives of those directly impacted is inspiring and important.

Las Vegas Victims’ Fund

As I post this article today, the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund is $10,194,656. The fund was set up on Go Fund Me by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas. Sharing KINDNESS by participating in something that will benefit those directly injured by the massacre has given the 82,685 people who contributed from around the world an opportunity to take action and participate in the healing process.

The Superpower KINDNESS in action does help, but may not be enough.

Why Not Me

Yesterday I watched Eric Church’s video clip from the Grand Ole Opry. He was at the concert and described struggling with the fate that had fallen on his many fans. He celebrated at the Las Vegas concert the day before the shooting and broke down as he described the heartbreak he feels for the people, the fans he feels so close to. He explained that the way he comes to grips with anything tragic in his life is through music so he wrote the song “Why Not Me.”

The feelings of COMPASSION he expresses through his music creates a ripple effect of inspiration and healing. Today the YouTube video has 5.4M views and dozens of reposts and comments with thousands more views. Opening his heart and sharing his Superpower COMPASSION has helped millions in their own healing process.

Connection with those that have activated the Superpowers of KINDNESS and COMPASSION get us closer to healing and receiving the Superpower that lifts us beyond grief.

Memorials

There have been memorials constructed to honor those that were killed. These tender actions give a physical and creative release for those doing the construction. It also gives a location for those of us who need to take action by showing our respects and participating in PRAYER.

Here are links to articles about two in Las Vegas:

PRAYER is a healing Superpower, and is just the beginning.

GRACE is the one Superpower that transcends any tragedy and the overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief that fuels fear or inertia.

GRACE Activated

The first definition of grace on Webster.com is “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” As a Superpower, GRACE is activated through PRAYER. GRACE is also activated by connecting to others who freely share their Superpowers with others.

Sharing our own Superpowers like COMPASSION, KINDNESS and PRAYER with others is the fuel that lifts our spirits by GRACE.

Let’s Soar,

Debbie Donaldson
Champion for Good

Share a little Peace

My heart breaks a little more each day as the news continues to unfold about the horrible shooting that happened in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1, 2017.

This is my memorial to our unsuspecting brothers and sisters who lost their lives. And a prayer for the grieving families who are still picking up the pieces.

When it doesn’t feel like there is anything I can do to help, I know that Prayer is my go-to Superpower. The light I feel inside gives me a sense of peace that that begs to be shared.

Peace be with you,

Debbie Donaldson
Champion for Good

That’s My Superpower

At the end of the first episode in season eight of Hawaii Five-O, Danny (Dano) Williams told Steve McGarrett “that’s my Superpower” when they were talking about how he had been so persistent about the two of them going into a restaurant business together. I couldn’t have been happier.

Superpowers are the many gifts and talents we are born with. They are also the skills we develop through learning and experience.

I can hardly wait to release my new book later this month, Superpowers Activated – Discovering the Magic. If you’d like an email notification when it’s ready, just click here and fill out the contact form.

Danny Williams is a character played by Scott Caan and Steve McGarrett is a character played by Alex O’Loughlin in the popular remake of Hawaii Five-O. The characters have displayed many Superpowers I refer to in my book, and don’t ever leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Happily yours,

Debbie Donaldson
Champion for Good

Torn Heart

There aren’t words to describe the heart breaking tragic results of a man planning and executing the deadly shooting of a group of people gathered in celebration. The deadliest mass shooting in modern US history that occurred October 1, 2017 at the Route 91 country music concert in Las Vegas will become something future generations read about in history books.

In the present though, those dealing directly with the results immediately following the shooting that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500, need our prayers and support now and into the future.

Although I live in Las Vegas, my home is a safe distance from the mayhem and I was in bed before the shooting occurred. I was still sound asleep when my family in different time zones were hearing the news on their way to work the next morning. Since my husband and I love country music and we occasionally attend concerts, my phone was filled with calls and texts asking if we were ok.

After I reassured my out-of-town family and friends, I began checking on my local friends. Some are avid country music and concert fans so I was relieved to learn everyone I know was safe.

My heart felt like it was being torn by the end of the day. Feelings of deep sadness that this man robbed so many people of their lives, health and security were overwhelming. Feelings of intense elation when I saw the hundreds of people lined up to give blood lifted my Spirit.

The numbers of people and companies that have already stepped up in support of survivors of this deadly attack reminds me that as individuals and as an entire race, when our heart is torn, our Spirit is revealed.

Let’s Soar,
Debbie Donaldson
Champion for Good