Work for a CAUSE not for APPLAUSE

My "pay it forward" Journey......

A few weeks ago I started down a path of trying to help, trying to pay it forward, trying to inspire others that there is more to life than what's in your own little box.  My goal is to raise money by selling autographed images of myself.  Who is the money for?  It is for a high school friend who's husband has been cursed with the agonizing "CANCER JOURNEY".  One that is proving to be a very difficult, drawn out, no light at the end of the tunnel kind of journey.

As I expressed in my previous blog, I don't particularly know this family.  I know Tara from high school but that is all.  Some people might say....why are you "paying it forward" to this family when you haven't even met the husband or the children or seen Tara since you graduated from high school?  I don't know that I have an answer other than to say.....I felt inspired to help.  I feel it deep down inside my soul that this family could use a helping hand.  So, I guess this is my way of acting on inspiration and hoping that others will follow in my footsteps. 

The fruits of my labor......

The fruits of my labor so far are not real fruitful....to my disappointment.  I am trying and not giving up.  I was having a conversation with my friend Angie the other day and she asked how my fundraising efforts were going.  I was a little discouraged to tell her that so far after printing and postage expenses I have only raised $200.  I wish it could be more....I so badly want it to be more for them.  I had high hopes that the amazing people that support me everyday would be inspired enough to join in my journey.  That being said, the people that have purchased a picture or simply donated money thus far have touched me.  It is interesting how often times it comes from the least expected place and that is a beautiful thing.  There is a gentleman from New Jersey that not only purchased a photo but he recently sold an old guitar on eBay and mailed me a check for the amount of money he made to give to this family.  I just find that so amazing!  It wasn't a ton of money but when I told Tara I had a check to send her she was so touched and said it will pay for their gas when they take Jeremy to Billings for treatment next week and that is a BLESSING worth counting!

I may be a little discourage and it may be a slow process but I am a DETERMINED woman and I WILL continue to work towards my goal of presenting this family with something that will truly make a difference.  I said to myself the other day.....imagine if each of the 2,966 friends on my Facebook page contributed just $10 each....imagine the difference that would make in this family's life.  I realize that goal may be unrealistic but why not shoot for the MOON!

"Shoot for the MOON. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars."

BE INSPIRING

I want to share with you a recent post that Tara made on Facebook.  This is exactly why I have been inspired by their story......and the post that has inspired this blog post.

The last sentence says it all.  It says what so many people are saying today and everyday.  It frightens me to think that at any moment I too could be faced with the same issues and despair.  I pray that it never happens but no one is immune.  

So often we walk through life thinking that the problems we are dealing with are greater than we can handle.  This is what makes me stop and say...really Nichole?  I cry because I miss my son terribly...everyday.  Not that my feelings aren't legit but then I realize....he's healthy, he's happy....imagine if Jeremy were Jaiden.  I can't even begin to fathom it.  That is when I say....count your blessings and keep on trucking for the greater good.

"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about."

And the period at the end of the sentence....... 

Work for a CAUSE not for APPLAUSE.  I am not doing this to get praise from my friends and fans.  I am doing this because I am inspired and I truly want to help and make a difference. Since my first posting and the start of this journey many people have made such touching posts on my page and in personal messages that have really just made me smile.  It's great but I don't want the applause...I want to make a difference and want that applause to go towards my cause.  I believe that if people are ultimately doing something because they like the applause they receive, they are doing it for the wrong reasons.  Do something because it fills your heart with joy regardless of the applause from others.  Do it because you are INSPIRED!

Until next time....Lay it out and ROCK IT!

Nichole

To purchase images or to donate please visit my website at:

http://www.dancewithmeblackhills.com/Merchandise-for-the-Bricker-s.html

Hey CANCER...when you get a second, do me a favor and go _______!

This blog post is inspired by a high school friend of mine who has had her life turned upside down by CANCER!  

Meet Jeremy and Tara Bricker

There are so many people in this world who are dealing with this awful disease and so many people who die everyday because of it.  So many lives turned upside down in the blink of an eye.  I find myself wanting to just give it the big old 

MIDDLE FINGER!

My best friend in the entire world, Melissa Thompson,  had her life turned upside down after having her mother taken from her by cancer.  My good friend Rhonda had her life turned upside down when her 6 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia years ago.  It makes me sick.  It makes me sad.  I know I am not the only one who wishes they could just wave their magic wand and wake up from the horrible reality of seeing their friends and loved ones suffer.  It's hard to sit back and just feel helpless. Well...I'm done feeling helpless and instead, I am inspired to make a difference.

  

The story of my friend Tara and her family is one that for whatever reason has really touched my heart.  Please meet my friend Tara Bricker.  We are high school friends and let's face it....that was a long damn time ago :)  That being said, I haven't seen her since the day I graduated high school which was.....drum roll please (insert the sound of feet stomping on the bleachers)

17 years ago

I know, I know......there's no way I could be that old right?!?

I don't know much about their cancer story, just the effects it has had on their family when she opens up to the land of Facebook and when her husband occasionally sneaks onto her Facebook page and sings her praises so lovingly.  That has been enough for me to just feel.......touched and inspired.  It's not her that has the cancer.....her husband Jeremy has Leukemia.  I have never met her husband nor have I had the pleasure of meeting her 4 beautiful children.  Yet, I find myself compelled to tell their story through my heart and help in any way that I can.  While I don't know how much I can help......my heart says I need to do what I can.

I have so many blessings in life and so many fans and friends that support me.  My fan page alone has almost 3,000 people on it.  Surely, I can inspire them to pay it forward.  That is my goal, my desire, my wish.  This world is filled with so much selfishness, hate, greed and just plain ugliness and while my efforts will only be a very small minute part of the effort to change, I believe that it will matter.  If not to millions, maybe thousands, maybe hundreds or maybe just to the 6 members of the Bricker family, but that is enough for me.

This was a fairly recent post Tara made on her Facebook page that really touched me and I would like to share it with you:

"Today is a special day, folks! It actually brought a tear to my eye to be blessed enough to tell my husband and best friend happy 35th bday. It has been a super challenging last couple of yrs for Jeremy. Right after his 33rd birthday he found he has cancer, he lost his precious dad a month after last yrs bday and not long after, he lost his brother, then his aunt. Despite all the things he has had to go through and the discouraging question of how many birthdays...he. has made me proud to stand by his side. This year, since J has been so down in the dumps, I feel obligated to make it a good one. I'm gonna do what I can!"

This just brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.  You know she doesn't spend all day posting about how sad she is or how miserable or poor me.  She is one of the most thoughtful people I've seen.  I always see her posting on other people's pages words of encouragement, support and love.  She has even sent me a message or two.  Just an example of pure goodness at work.  She of course has her days like we all do when she shares her heartache, while sad, I find it beautiful and inspiring.  

"Last night Jeremy's fortune cookie fortune said "good health will be yours for a long time" Then he cried. Then I cried. I sure hope so..."

I know I am not a "celebrity" or "famous" by any stretch of the imagination but my time spent with The Flaunt Girls and participating on the reality show Full Throttle Saloon has given me a little more notoriety than some.  It's time to use that to help.  It's time to use it for the greater good.  What good is it if I can't help others?

You know, on my fan page, I have hundreds of photos that I have taken over the years.  Pictures that so many of you thank me for sharing each and every day.  I do photo shoots and enjoy every minute of the modeling that I am able to do.  I get request after request from people wanting to purchase an autographed photo.  So, with that....I am going to sell some of my photos and of course autograph them.  ALL of the proceeds will go to their family to help with mounting cancer treatment bills. 

I don't expect to make a ton of money and most like it will only amount to a few hundred dollars but I am a firm believer that every little bit helps.  Most of all, I hope to inspire others to reach out to those they know that are in need and help even if you think it is too small to make a difference.

 And the period at the end of the sentence......

Be gracious, be generous, be thoughtful whenever and wherever you can.  Strive to touch people's hearts and be a good person.  Remember that there is always someone who is struggling more than you and regardless of your own trials and tribulations....you have love to give others.

"I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being."  ~ Maya Angelou

Your support and graciousness would mean the world to me as I strive to help this family in anyway that I possibly can.  Go to my website at http://www.dancewithmeblackhills.com/Merchandise-for-the-Bricker-s.html and view all of the images I have for sale.  I will personally autograph them for you and seal it with a kiss.  You can also read their "Cancer Story" as Tara conveys it.

Until next time.....Lay it out and ROCK it!
Nichole

SELFISHNESS....Are we all guilty?

Who wants a slice of PIE?

Have you ever known someone that was completely unselfish in every way?  As I sit here and think about the true meaning of "selfishness" I can't say that I have ever known another human being that was or is 100% selfLESS.  Think about it.....I believe it is in everyone's nature, but some are more selfish than others.  Have you ever been accused of being selfish and you wonder how that person could possibly think that of you?  I think everyone could use a little slice of humble pie, present company included.

A LA MODE anyone?

Definition of SELFISH

1: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others

 

Well I don't know about you but I have definitely been guilty of this a time or two or three.  Being selfless all the time is a very difficult thing to accomplish.  I am not a perfect person and as such I am guilty of doing things that may appear to be or simply are selfish.  I think at the end of the day it is what you are really striving for that matters most.  It is having the ability to recognize that you have done something selfish and making a conscious effort to do better.  It is having a strong desire to do the right thing and act selflessly towards others knowing you are not perfect and you will falter.

"Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race."

~ William E. Gladstone

 

The inspiration for this blog came when I was accused of acting selfishly.  The analyzing person that I am, I asked myself....well, did you?  Although the context of the accusation is not what I believe I was selfish about, I would say that according to the definition above....yes, I acted selfishly.  This is an example of how we as human beings go about life and do our best to get through.  We all have different ways of managing stress and disappointment and my outlet, though unintended, was technically selfish.  Now, I could go into all of the reasons why I think it isn't selfish but according to the definition....I am

Epic FAIL

Well like I said before, nobody is perfect.  I shall get back on the wagon and keep on a trying.  That's all I can do right?  I do take comfort in my belief that I am not a "selfish" person by nature.  A truly selfish person would never consider the possibility that they are selfish.  A selfish person also ends up losing loved ones and friends because no matter how charming or interesting a selfish person may be, a relationship with a selfish person is hard to maintain. 

"Selfishness is not living as ONE wishes to live.  It is asking OTHERS to live as one wishes to live." ~ Oscar Wilde

Random thought...

Did you ever wonder if the person calling another person selfish is being selfish for calling that person selfish?  When does the selfish cycle end? 

And the period at the end of the sentence?

There are going to be times in our life when you fail at being SELFLESS, but to truly be a selfless person means having the desire to think and act selflessly and recognize when we have failed.  If you find yourself being accused of being selfish, the best thing to do is take a moment and ask yourself "are you?".  If the answer is yes and you have a desire to do better, then set your mind to it.  Try to develop empathy for people and other living creatures.  Look for ways to help; anticipate the needs of others. Pay attention to the people in your life, try to find out what their needs are and put those first.  Think about the other person's personality and do things, buy gifts etc with that in mind and not your own preferences.  REMEMBER BIRTHDAYS!  Be honest, loyal, on-time and don't take things people say or do personally.  Have a slice of that humble pie and do your best!

Until next time.....Lay it out and ROCK IT!

Nichole