We made it!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the Foggy Frog and the Pain Gang Kickstarter Campaign, either through donations or through spreading the word and sharing the project with everyone they know. Because of all of you we have successfully raised the $7,500 we need to publish and distribute the first run of picture books!

After a week offline spending time with E and going camping, I am now back and ready to provide some informative and inquisitive posts over the next few weeks.

Some time soon (I’m hoping later this week) I will dedicate a post to sharing some of the behind the scenes stats I have from the campaign and outlining what the next steps are and where we are going.

Today though I want to talk about a topic which has been on my mind a lot lately…

What makes someone an inspiration?

Lately, with this Kickstarter campaign and just with the way I’ve been dealing with my illness, I have had a lot of people telling me I have inspired them to do things differently or just that I’m an inspiration to them. This makes me feel uncomfortable.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that what I’m doing is helping others and making a difference! I just don’t feel comfortable thinking of myself as an inspiration. I still feel like I’m just aspiring to be who I want to be…

I would love to make a huge difference and help make this world a better place, both in terms of sustainability and the way humans treat one another, but I feel like I’m still learning and making things up a lot as I go along.

Maybe this is something that everyone struggles with.

The way I view myself and what I am doing seems to be different to the way others are viewing me. Being told that I have inspired others with the same illnesses as me to change the way they think about their life and to take on a project to help them have something to focus on is wonderful. It feels nice to know that I’ve helped that other person to make a difference in their own lives but it feels strange to think that others are looking to me for guidance.

People who have inspired me probably feel the same way. They come from all very different walks of lives. Some are famous and others are in the background, unrecognised.

I’m sure we all believe that we are just doing what we need to do. Most of us are not looking for fame and glory or any form of recognition other than a thank you or an encouraging comment. We feel ‘normal’ and ‘insignificant’ even, but others in our lives may view us as ‘heros’ or inspirations’ who demonstrate the behaviours and values that they want to be able to do.

Recognition and Achievement

I’ll admit that even I am surprised and overwhelmed by what I have managed to achieve in the last few months, but I still struggle with accepting recognition for these accomplishments. Everything I have achieved in my life has been possible because I have had support, I have had others helping me in achieving my dreams. I am very humbled by the support and encouragement I have been recieving.

Over the past 3 years (2012, 2013, and 2014) I have recieved recognition for my environmental work in the form of a nomination for the Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards – Flinders Port Environment Category. Each year I have been in the Top 3 Finalists for the award. I may not have won the actual award in any year, but to be nominated (or asked to nominate myself, as was the case this year) is an honour and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be recognised publicly for my work in this field.

Similarly, I am grateful and extremely humbled by the recognition and support I have recieved for the Foggy Frog and the Pain Gang campaign.

Thank you!

Without each and every one of you none of these achievements would have been possible. I may be an inspiration to others but my inspiration comes from the community spirit I see in the groups I have joined and in the friendships I have formed through this blog and my work.

Who inspires you?

What do you believe makes someone an inspiration?