Born with no shin bones, it would be easy to think that Aimee Mullins would be content with leading a “disabled” life or at best a “normal” life.  Instead of buying in to her reasonable excuse to live a life of mediocrity Aimee decided at a young age that she wanted and was worth much more.  Instead she became an Olympic Athlete, a model, an actress, and an inspiration to many around the world.  She knows firsthand what it means and what it takes to overcome adversity and to harness it into opportunity.

It is mind boggling to watch her and know that she was at one time looked at as being “disabled”.  On the contrary she is a living testimony that the human spirit can triumph over all hardships and come off a conqueror.

Watch part of her story below and as always, drop me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in Layton, Utah, four year old Ethan Jonathan David Stacy was killed after being severely tortured and beaten by his step-father and mother, Nathan and Stephanie Sloop.  I have to step back and take a broader look at this picture and wonder if this needless death could have been prevented.

As an entrepreneur I am always eager to share what my latest venture is or to be involved with the next entrepreneurial seminar but how enthusiastic am I in getting involved in my own community, let alone with those who live right next door to me.  I wonder if in the 5 days of torture ensuing in the death of little Ethan if signs or clues were not given to where an observant neighbor might have been able to interject and save Ethan’s life.

I am not talking about being nosy, gossipy or meddlesome.  I am simply saying that we need to be more involved with our neighbors and community.  Ask yourself these questions and if you are not able to answer them, then you have some homework to do:

1.      What are the names of my neighbors?

2.      What are the names of my neighbor’s children?

3.      What are the occupations of my neighbors?

4.      What are the religious or ethical beliefs of my neighbors?

I believe that we are our brother’s keepers.  Steven R Covey, in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, states that we are interdependent beings; meaning that we thrive when we work together harmoniously.  You and I can accomplish 3 times more than I can alone.  With instant messaging, texting, Facebook and Twitter we are losing the personal touch that caused us to flourish in the first place.

Ethan Jonathan David Stacy has not been the first child to lose their life to domestic violence but I want you to ask yourself if his death has to be needless.  I believe the time has never been greater than now to step outside of our digital world and really get to know who is around us and what caliber of people they are.

Below is the obituary for Ethan that I took from www.ObitsUtah.com.

Ethan Jonathan David Stacy

September 22, 2005 ~  May 11, 2010

Hometown: Richlands, VA

ETHAN JONATHAN DAVID STACY, 4 years old of Richlands, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in Layton, Utah. Born at Fort Stewart Army Base in Savannah, Georgia on September 22, 2005, he was the son of Joe Gary Stacy of Richlands, Virginia. Ethan was a fun loving boy who enjoyed life and loved playing with his Transformers.

Ethan is survived by his loving father – Joe Gary Stacy and his fiancé Becky Leigh Elswick of Richlands, Virginia, One sister – Alisa Destiny Stacy, Mt. Carmel, IL, One Brother – Destrian Jonathan David Stacy, Mt. Carmel, IL, Paternal Grandmother – Peggy Jo and her husband David Akers, Grundy, VA, Paternal Grandfather – Gary Steven and his wife Freda Stacy, Hurley, VA, Maternal grandparents – John and Katrina Busby, Apopka, FL

He is also survived by several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Funeral services for ETHAN JONATHAN DAVID STACY will be conducted Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Mike Rife officiating with burial to follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands, Virginia.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home chapel after 5:00 P.M. Tuesday with evening services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Marshall Osborne, Brett Sword, Aaron Keene and Jacob Keene.

A memorial fund has been set up for Ethan Stacy at Tru Point Bank – P. O. Box 1010 – Grundy, Virginia 24614 – Ethan Stacy Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.

What are your thoughts or feelings about getting out in your neighborhood and community and being involved?

What is Energy Therapy?

Energy Therapy is an extremely effective way to clear limiting beliefs and stuck trauma or stress in our physical, emotional, and mental fields.  Every thing is energy, even our thoughts.  When we have negative thoughts or beliefs it can block up our energy flow and cause disharmony and dis-ease.  By using Energy Therapy Techniques, we can clear what is not wanted to free ourselves up to experience more joy and attract more health and happiness.

What is Rapid Eye Technology (RET)?

(as found on www.rapideyetechnolgy.com)

RET is a natural, safe way to release stress and trauma. RET simulates REM sleep, your body’s own natural release system. This powerful quick release happens without reliving the trauma. Accessing the whole mind/body system while in an awake state allows you to be in control of your own journey. RET empowers individuals to live a happy, productive life by releasing negative belief systems, negative thought forms, and emotions—all of which contribute to emotional stress. Typically, RET sessions are conducted in 1 to 1.5 hour blocks.

RET, physiologically and psychologically, opens up the neuropathways where the energetic memories of our personal and inherited traumatic experiences are trapped. For instance, being trapped in the birth canal, trapped in a car accident, or trapped in a relationship, are all on the same neuropath way.

We believe neurons in the brain stem switch on the same way they do in REM sleep, causing communication at the cellular level throughout the body. Energy confined at the cellular level by emotional or physical trauma is thus accessed allowing energy discharge through a fast eye blinking process. Clients release issues and emotions at a comfortable rate without reliving incidents.

Do you have any personal, family or relationship patterns or issues in your family you would like to change? Rapid Eye works to release limiting patterns and beliefs. Once free from limiting patterns and behaviors set up from the past, there is energy for creating a healthy, joyful future. Clients report they feel immediate benefits, experience wholeness and feel resolution in each session.

What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

(as found on www.emofree.com )

EFT is based on a new discovery that has provided thousands with relief from pain, diseases and emotional issues. Simply stated, it is an emotional version of acupuncture except needles aren’t necessary. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips. The process is easy to memorize and is portable so you can do it anywhere. It launches off the EFT Discovery Statement which says…

“The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.”

And because our physical pains and diseases are so obviously connected with our emotions the following statement has also proven to be true…

“Our unresolved negative emotions are major contributors to most physical pains and diseases.”

This common sense approach draws its power from (1) time-honored Eastern discoveries that have been around for over 5,000 years and (2) Albert Einstein, who told us back in the 1920′s that everything (including our bodies) is composed of energy.

For more information on Energy Therapy visit Karey Williams at www.KareyWilliams.com.

Integrating Personal Development with the Entrepreneur Mindset. Coming Soon.