Texas researchers provide inspirational stories for teenagers

Younger teenagers often experience feelings of inadequacy, as they are smart enough to know what intelligence is, but sometimes feel lacking in knowledge. Researchers at the University of Texas, San Antonio, have found that individuals who are 13 or 14 can soon look forward to more powerful brains, as their mental capacity is growing at an incredible speed.

In a test of kids aged 13 to 17, researchers found that older teens appeared to be more intelligent and that this correlated with a speedier ability to learn.

"Our findings make intuitive sense," said lead author Thomas Coyle. "Performance on intelligence tests reflects, in part, the speed of acquiring knowledge, learning things and solving problems."

Results of this study suggest that inspirational stories for teenagers encourage them to be their best and brightest. It's a common misconception that today's youth do not care about being smart or educated. Many write off the younger generation as only wanting to sit around playing video games and eating unhealthy junk food, but many youngsters are immensely concerned with their brain potential.

In fact, motivational stories about success often begin with an underdog or a careless person turning themselves around and becoming a truly inspiring character. Films like the Karate Kid, Forrest Gump, Rudy, Mighty Ducks, Miracle and Space Jam all center around people who doubt themselves in the beginning but go on to achieve success in life.

These findings should remind teens that there is much to look forward to in the coming years. Even though they may feel that life is boring and meaningless now, their brain function is growing more and more by the day.

Men and women work together to create motivational stories about success

A social dilemma is a problem wherein a group of people are faced with making choices that would either benefit each person individually or the whole subset. There has been a long-standing and harmful stereotype that men are more likely to make selfish decisions when faced with a social dilemma, but new research published by the American Psychological Association suggests otherwise.

In a study involving more than 31,600 people, a team of scientists found no statistical differences between sexes in the choices they would make. Additionally, both genders tended to say that they would be more likely to make a decision that would benefit the whole group.

"It is a social dilemma because each individual gains more by defecting regardless of what the other person does, but they will both be better off if they both cooperate," said the study's lead author, Daniel Balliet, Ph.D.

The researchers said that the prejudice suggesting that men are more selfish may have roots in evolution.

"The argument is that throughout human evolutionary history, male coalitions have been an effective strategy for men to acquire resources, such as food and property," said Balliet. "Both hunting and warfare are social dilemmas in that they firmly pit individual and group interests against each other.

The results of this study may prove to be motivational stories about success for people who had previously had pessimistic thoughts about others' attitudes regarding society. Additionally, the findings suggest that Ilchi Lee may be on to something when he talks about people living in harmony with one another.

Lee's inspirational stories about change are largely centered on the idea that it is possible, and likely, that people will one day regard each other as Earth citizens.

Gwyneth Paltrow tells inspirational story of faith in accidental heroism

Sometimes, accidents occur that are distressful or irritating upon initial assessment, but later turn out to be serendipitous events. This happened to be the case for Gwyneth Paltrow when she had a nasty encounter with a jaywalker on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

According to the New York Post, the actress said that she was driving home from an early morning yoga class when a woman crossed the street directly in front of her car. The two had a brief exchange, causing the pedestrian to miss her train to work, which happened to be at the World Trade Center.

As a result, she was late and was not in the building when it was attacked by terrorists. Paltrow said the woman later wrote to thank her for the happy accident.

"It was an extraordinary story and all I could think about is all of the people who had experiences like that that day, but aren't able to reach out because it wasn't a recognizable person," Paltrow said, quoted by the news source. "I think a lot of fates were changed that day obviously and I am very humbly happy to be a part in her story."

Former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson also experienced a serendipitous event on the day of the attacks, according to ESPN.com. He was scheduled to be on flight 77 to New York City for an interview when the show's producer asked him to change flights, a request that would save his life.

Perhaps individuals should remember these inspirational stories of success in avoiding disaster the next time a seemingly inconvenient event occurs. After all, taking things in stride could turn out to be a motivational story about attitude later on.

Inspirational stories of success in improving abilities in stroke patients

While experiencing a stroke can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and ability to perform certain tasks, the healthcare community continues to tout motivational stories of success about people who have overcome the harmful effects of a stroke.

For instance, researchers at the Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care at Flinders University in Australia discovered that virtual reality tools may be effective in helping people who have experienced a stroke regain movement in their arms, thereby increasing their independence.

"Virtual reality and interactive video gaming may have some advantages over traditional therapy as they may give people an opportunity to practice everyday activities that cannot be practiced within the hospital environment," said lead author Kate Laver.

Researchers conducted 19 trials on 56 patients and found that people who had a stroke were better able to do things like shower and dress themselves after receiving virtual reality training.

Authors of the study noted that they will need to examine the efficacy of virtual reality and computer simulation in treating stroke patients to determine which types are most effective.

The news may act as an inspirational story that will motivate people who have experienced a stroke and who struggle with day-to-day tasks. The findings also point to a non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive way to treat neurological problems.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that these kinds of treatments are best, since they address the underlying causes of a condition without exposing people to potentially harmful chemicals or procedures. Additionally, some research has indicated that meditation and yoga may help people strengthen their minds and, in turn, stave off a number of illnesses and cardiovascular events.

Humorous inspirational stories about change may improve heart health

Ever leave the movie theater after viewing a funny yet motivational story about attitude with a great feeling? Well, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine conducted a study which suggests that the laughter and positive feelings you felt may have induced beneficial physical changes.

In a trial, a team of scientists measured the blood flow of individuals as they watched a funny movie, There's Something About Mary, and a movie meant to induce stress, Saving Private Ryan.

The researchers found that the comedic movies increased blood flow, dilating the lining of blood vessels by an average of 30 percent to 50 percent, compared to the diameter of arteries of volunteers while they watched the stressful film.

"The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, so it is very possible that laughing on a regular basis may be useful to incorporate as part of an overall healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease. In other words, eat your veggies, exercise and get a good belly laugh every day," said lead investigator Michael Miller.

Authors of the study noted that the physiological changes they observed were similar to those seen in individuals after engaging in aerobic exercise.

Philosopher and flutist Ilchi Lee believes inspirational stories that motivate are powerful because they point to ways in which individuals overcome their fears and self-imposed obstacles. Additionally, films that manage to inspire while providing comic relief do double duty in influencing positive thoughts.

Negativity and stress have a tendency to cause mental and physical ailments. Results of this study suggest that a good inspirational film may help reverse the effects of daily stressors.

Motivational stories for success include healthy living

Author, philosopher and trailblazer Ilchi Lee believes in the power of a healthy, holistic lifestyle to assist an individual on their goals toward betterment, fulfillment and success. 

Now, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting that the basic components of staying healthy – which include a nutritious diet, physical exercise and avoiding alcohol and tobacco – may also help people live longer lives.

"If you want to lead a longer life and feel better, you should adopt healthy behaviors – not smoking, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy, and avoiding excessive alcohol use," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

The research was based on a large, long-term study called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III Mortality Study. It included health data of individuals 17 or older, who were tracked by the CDC from 1988 to 2006.

After analyzing the findings, researchers discovered that leading a traditionally healthy lifestyle may result in a 63 percent reduction in risk of early death. Moreover, the scientists found that diet, exercise and avoiding harmful drugs could reduce a person's chances of developing cardiovascular disease by 65 percent, and cut risk of death by other causes by 57 percent.

Results of this study suggest that what was once thought of as simple advice to feel better may be more, the recommendations may be inspirational stories of success. Imagine what you could do with a few extra years of life. You could climb a mountain, start a charity or become a mentor. You could gain a sense of enlightenment that takes you to the next level of being and become a motivational story for athletes.

Researchers discover inspirational stories that will motivate

A team of scientists at the University of Illinois conducted a study to determine what motivates a person to follow-through with a daily exercise regimen.

They found that self-efficacy is a major component in gaining the confidence and motivation to embark on a serious self-fulfilling journey as well as to carry through with goals.

"You can apply the concept of self-efficacy to every single health behavior you can think of because in many ways that really is what gets us through the day, gets us through the tough times," said University of Illinois kinesiology and community health professor Edward McAuley, who led the research. "People who are more efficacious tend to approach more challenging tasks, work harder and stick with it even in the face of early failures."

However, the researchers noted that individuals without self-efficacy can take some steps to gain a better sense of independence and control. These include thinking about successes you've achieved in the past, watching others achieve their goals and relying on a social support system.

Authors of the study said that self-regulation entails good planning skills and a strong sense of self-control. Other factors that contribute to success are the ability to set goals, time management and getting other people board to help you in your mission.

Philosopher and trailblazer Ilchi Lee says that motivational stories about success are other ways in which people can get a boost of confidence. For instance, there is a wide range of movies, songs and books that are meant to instill individuals with a sense that they can accomplish anything. Inspirational stories that will motivate people are some of the most important tales around.

Kelly Rowland knows a thing or two about inspirational stories of success

You may have heard Kelly Rowland's hit song Motivation (featuring Lil' Wayne) on the radio recently and found yourself inspired by its lyrics. Well, apparently so did Rowland because she recently volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of America to help out with its Be Ready initiative, CBS reported.

The R&B singer rang the start bell and spoke at an event called Largest Wake-Up Call, in which kids get into the back-to-school mindset.

Rowland told CBS that she was moved by the news that an estimated 1 million kids failed at graduating from high school last year. She said that she hopes to be an inspirational story for kids, teaching them that there is a whole world out there for them to take advantage of.

"For me, I just think about my godkids and I think about myself being a student and how hard it was as a kid. It's not just about education," said Rowland, quoted by the news source. "It's just about being a kid, period, and knowing that there's a huge world out here of opportunity. And I don't want to see anybody miss out on an opportunity and a moment that is theirs."

According to one of Rowland's fan websites, OMKelly.com, the Be Ready initiative identifies kids who are at a high risk of dropping out or doing poorly in school. The effort is meant to give the youth a "wake-up call" to get back on track.

Research has shown that inspirational stories about success can be effective tools in helping children and teens perform better in school and avoid violence and negativity.

Inspirational stories for kids may improve test scores

Motivation and inspiration are necessary components to any type of success. Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that such factors must be present for achievement, since overcoming obstacles is typically the result of a dedicated effort.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have added some weight to this theory, as they have found that motivation plays a key role in helping schoolchildren score high on IQ tests.

"This means that for people who get high IQ scores, they probably try hard and are intelligent," said researcher Angela Lee Duckworth. "But for people who get low scores, it can be an absence of either or both of those traits."

The scientists compared the IQ scores of students with measurements of their motivation levels and saw a positive correlation. Additionally, they found that students with higher IQ scores were more likely to be successful adults who avoided a criminal record.

The research also suggests that it is possible for a person of high intelligence to fail at life if they are lacking motivation.

Lee has touted the benefits of motivational stories about success for many years, leading his followers down a path of fulfillment and happiness.

Think of motivation as the front car in a train and an individual as the following segments. The tiny cars behind the engine have no movement without it, and several cars must be pulled along by just one powerful component. Now, think of inspirational stories for success as the fuel for this engine. It can not achieve strength or endurance without fuel, just as a person cannot achieve their goals without motivation. 

Pinocchio tells the inspirational story of a puppet and his master

Children around the globe have enjoyed the story of Pinocchio for decades. It's a tale that has stood the test of time, and for good reason: It conveys the message that good begets good, and that the opposite is also true.

The story begins with a woodcarver named Geppetto who crafts the son he always wanted, Pinocchio. The puppet comes to life with the help of a magic fairy and begins learning his lessons early on.

While on his way to school, Pinocchio is tempted with an offer to become a stage actor. He accepts, skipping his lessons to improve his brain potential for the day, and is met with dire consequences. After he is freed, he once again gives in to temptation and follows a stranger to Pleasure Island where he is nearly turned into a donkey.

He is subsequently saved by a spunky cricket named Jiminy and eventually gains enough personal growth to see the error of his ways.

However, trouble awaits Pinocchio and Jiminy as they head back to meet with Geppetto, only to discover that he and his trusty band of animals have been swallowed by a whale. The young puppet channels his brain potential to devise a plot to escape the great beast.

Pinocchio's bravery is handsomely rewarded by the magic fairy, who bequeaths upon him his greatest wish: to become a real boy.

Tales like this one demonstrate that personal development is a process which takes time and effort. It may involve making some mistakes every now and then, but the most important thing is for the individual to make the journey and put forth the effort toward betterment.