Tag: courage

Posted in Celebrate Today, Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Family Moments, Inspiration & Motivation, Life, Love and Blessings

September 6 — A Day in History, Love and Possibility

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

What is so special about September 6?

Every date on the calendar has a story. Some dates are remembered for important events, remarkable achievements and moments that changed the world. Others become special because of the people and memories we associate with them.

September 6 is one of those dates for me.

As I looked at some of the events, achievements and milestones connected to this day throughout history, I found myself appreciating just how much meaning a single date can hold.

🌍 September 6, 1522 — A journey around the world

On September 6, 1522, the Victoria, the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition, returned to Spain, completing the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe.

It was an extraordinary journey of courage, uncertainty and perseverance.

Magellan did not survive the expedition, but Juan Sebastián Elcano continued the voyage and brought the Victoria home.

Sometimes, the greatest journeys are completed because someone chooses to keep going.

⛵ September 6, 1620 — A new journey begins

On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower departed Plymouth, England, beginning the voyage that would become one of the most famous journeys in American history.

It is another reminder that every great journey begins with a first step into the unknown.

👩🏽 September 6, 1870 — A step forward

On this date in 1870, Louisa Ann Swain became the first woman recorded as legally casting a vote in a U.S. election under Wyoming’s new women’s suffrage law.

Her vote became part of the much larger story of women’s political rights.

Progress often begins with one small but significant step.

🛒 September 6, 1916 — An everyday revolution

On September 6, 1916, Piggly Wiggly opened in Memphis, Tennessee, widely recognized as the first self-service grocery store.

Something that seems completely ordinary today was once an innovative idea.

It reminds us that what we take for granted today was once someone’s vision of a better way.

❤️ September 6 — A day of love

September 6 has also been a special day for couples beginning their lives together.

Among those who married on this date are Theresa May and Philip May in 1980, Trinidad and Tobago-born actress and singer Heather Headley and Brian Musso in 2003, and Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka in 2014.

Different couples. Different stories. One date.

And then there is a September 6 love story that is especially meaningful to me.

On September 6, my parents got married and began a new chapter in their lives.

That day became the beginning of a journey that would eventually include a family, countless memories, laughter, challenges, celebrations and a lifetime of moments that could never be captured by a photograph or recorded in a history book.

Their wedding may not appear in the pages of world history, but it is part of my history.

And sometimes, the most important history is personal.

There are dates that millions of people may know, but there are also dates that belong quietly and profoundly to individual families.

September 6 is one of those dates for me.

🌸 The people born on September 6

September 6 has also given the world many remarkable people, including social reformer and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jane Addams, inventor Wilson Greatbatch, barcode co-inventor Norman Joseph Woodland, musician Roger Waters, actress Jane Curtin and actor Idris Elba.

Their lives remind us that there are countless ways to make a difference.

Through science.

Through creativity.

Through service.

Through art.

Through perseverance.

Through simply touching the lives of others.

🤍 What September 6 means to me

Perhaps that is what makes September 6 so beautiful.

It is a date connected to journeys, beginnings, progress, innovation, achievement and love.

But beyond everything recorded in history books, it carries something far more personal for me.

It reminds me that before I was here, there was a beginning.

Two people chose each other.

They started a journey.

And from that journey came a family and the life I know today.

I can look at September 6 and see not only an ending, but a beginning.

And perhaps that is the beauty of memory.

Love does not stop being part of our story simply because someone is no longer here to tell their side of it.

Some stories continue through the people who remember.

Some love continues through the lives that grew from it.

And some dates remain forever in our hearts.

✨ September 6, 2026

Today, September 6, is another chapter.

It is a day we are fortunate enough to live.

One day, it too will become history.

Someone will remember this day because of something that happened.

A decision.

A celebration.

A new beginning.

A conversation.

A kindness.

A moment with someone they love.

So today, I choose gratitude.

For journeys completed.

For journeys begun.

For progress.

For innovation.

For love.

For family.

For memories.

For the people who came before us.

And for the privilege of being here to write another chapter.

Every date has a story.

Some are written in history books.

Some are written in the hearts of families.

And some are written in both.

September 6 will always be one of those dates for me. 🤍🕊️🙏🏽

Posted in Inspiration & Motivation, Lifestyle, Motivation & Mindset

Remembering the Day Life Changed Forever

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

There are certain moments in life that quietly divide everything into a before and after. Moments that arrive unexpectedly and reshape the way you see yourself, others and the world around you. For me, that day changed everything.

At first, it felt like confusion. Life suddenly became heavier in ways that were difficult to explain. Things I once did effortlessly now required more energy, more patience and more discipline. I began to understand that strength is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes strength is simply choosing to keep going while carrying battles no one else can fully see.

That season forced me into a different reality, one that demanded adjustment, resilience and self-awareness. It taught me how to slow down, listen to myself more carefully, protect my peace and value the small victories that many people often overlook. It was not the journey I would have chosen, but it became one of the greatest teachers of my life.

Along the way, I fought brave fights quietly and learned some of life’s hardest lessons. Lessons about endurance, patience, boundaries, self-worth and perseverance. Lessons that changed me, strengthened me and reminded me that growth is often born through discomfort and challenge.

Somewhere within the struggle, determination quietly grew. I discovered a version of myself that hardship revealed — stronger, wiser and far more resilient than I ever imagined. I learned how to continue showing up even on difficult days. I learned that perseverance is often built in silence.

Through it all, I remain deeply grateful for the love and support of my family and those within my circle. Their patience, understanding and encouragement reminded me that even during life’s hardest seasons, genuine support can make all the difference. Sometimes people may never fully understand what you carry, but the ones who truly care will still stand beside you anyway.

Perhaps too this is why I have learned to live with no regrets.

No one truly fits in your shoes but you. No one fully understands your battles, your thoughts, your fears or the strength it takes to keep moving forward. That is why I have learned the importance of being my own friend through every season of life — even on the days when life feels uncertain.

Be your own best friend to the very end.

Yes, while there were moments of frustration and exhaustion there were also moments of growth, clarity and unexpected beauty. Moments that reminded me that even after fire, something meaningful can still rise.

Sometimes I ask myself: am I the phoenix that rises from the ashes?

Maybe the answer is yes.

Not because the fire was easy, but because despite everything, I kept rising. Piece by piece. Day by day. I kept building and yes, I continue to do so as I have a lot more to do. I kept finding ways to move forward. I kept choosing hope, even in difficult moments.

Life has taught me that resilience is not about pretending to be unbreakable. It is about rebuilding yourself with greater wisdom, deeper compassion and quiet courage.

So now, I hold onto two reminders close to my heart: Carpe Diem — seize the day — and Semper Fi — always faithful. Faithful to hope, faithful to perseverance and faithful to the belief that even after life changes forever, there is still purpose, beauty and strength waiting to be found.

Posted in Being Prayerful, Celebrate Today, Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Life

To Err Is to Be Human: Celebrating the Power of Learning

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

To err is human, but every mistake carries a lesson. Discover how embracing imperfection, resilience, and the power of learning can transform your journey of personal growth and self-discovery. These timeless words remind us of something simple yet profound—we are not meant to be perfect; we are meant to be human. And in being human, we are invited into the sacred dance of growth, where mistakes are not failures but faithful companions on our journey of becoming.

The Beauty in Stumbling

Each misstep whispers a lesson. When we stumble, we discover new ways of standing tall. When we falter, we learn the strength of rising again. History itself shows us this truth—every great invention, every bold breakthrough, every step forward came through countless trials, errors, and renewed attempts. Our lives reflect the same rhythm. Mistakes are not detours; they are part of the road itself.

Learning: The Heart of Being Alive

There is immense power in learning. Every error holds a hidden gift, waiting for us to unwrap it with reflection and courage. To learn is to take what once felt heavy and turn it into wisdom. To learn is to transform a wrong turn into a guiding light. The very act of learning proves that we are alive, growing, and endlessly capable of more.

Embracing Our Shared Humanity

When we accept our imperfections, we open ourselves to compassion—both for ourselves and for others. We see that everyone carries their own journey of lessons, victories, and second chances. In celebrating our humanness, we find connection. We realize that what unites us is not perfection, but the courage to keep trying, keep learning, and keep loving despite the stumbles along the way.

Becoming Through Mistakes

To err is to be human. But to embrace those errors as opportunities—to rise, to grow, to learn—that is to truly live. Every mistake can be a stepping stone to something greater, if we allow it to be. So let us celebrate being human, not despite our flaws, but because of them.

For in every error, there is a lesson.
In every lesson, there is growth.
And in every act of growth, there is the miracle of becoming.

Life Lessons I Have Learnt

Through my own journey, I’ve discovered:

  1. Mistakes are not the end—they are a beginning. Every stumble can open the door to a new path.
  2. Self-forgiveness is a form of strength. It is only when I forgive myself that I can move forward with freedom.
  3. Growth takes patience. Learning often comes slowly, but each step forward—no matter how small—matters.
  4. Vulnerability connects us. When I share my struggles, I discover that I am not alone.
  5. Resilience is built through trying again. Courage is not the absence of failure—it is the decision to keep going.

These lessons remind me daily that my humanity is not a flaw but a gift, and that every mistake I make has the power to shape me into someone wiser, kinder, and stronger.