What a wonderful way to begin the New Year! I came across The Foundation For A Better Life today as I was browsing the web for inspirational stories. The Foundation for a Better Life is a non-profit organization. They don’t sponsor or endorse any groups nor do they accept any money contributions.
Founded in 2000, it has successfully used print, billboard, television, and online media to inspire others to create a better life filled with positive values, and to pass it on. Its sole objective is “to promote positive values, using print and broadcast media.”
“We want the stories we share about the actions of others to inspire someone to do one thing a little better, and then pass on that inspiration. While a few individuals living values-based lives seems small, collectively they will make the world a better place.”
One of the individuals the Foundation featured on its billboard campaign is a woman named Liz Murray. Her story is remarkable and truly touches the heart and uplifts the spirit. Liz grew up with drug-addicted parents. Her life took a nosedive when her mom was diagnosed with HIV and moved out. Her dad then went to a homeless shelter and Liz was sent to a group home. Faced with unpleasant experiences at the group home, she ran away, living on the streets of New York City, eating out of dumpsters, and sleeping on the subway trains.
When Liz was 16, her mom died of AIDS and Liz’s view of the world changed dramatically. With just an 8th grade education, she was determined to go back and finish high school. She did that in just two years.
“Life rewards action. I was going to go out there and… have action in my life every day instead of this stagnant behavior that I had been partaking in for so long.” —Liz Murray
On a school-sponsored trip to Boston, Liz walked through Hardvard Yard and she made up her mind then and there that she would do whatever it took to better her life. She applied for the New York Times College Scholarship and was accepted into Hardvard!
Liz Murray grew up with drug-addicted parents. Her mom died of AIDS. Her dad left. Liz was homeless as a teenager, living on the streets and eating out of the trash. Those were her obstacles. She overcame them all.
Today, Liz Murray is working on completing her Master’s degree in psychology and sociology at Columbia University. She is also a member of the Washington Speakers’ Bureau, sharing her story with audiences throughout the U.S. Lifetime Television made a film about her in the 2003 film “Homeless to Hardvard: the Liz Murray Story.”
Do you know of anyone with a story like Liz? Do you have a story of overcoming obstacles in your own life?
January 1st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I love the Foundation For A Better Life commercials, but I wasn’t aware of Liz Murray’s story. Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing this.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Adam: I haven’t had the chance to see those commercials yet but I would imagine them to be great. I was so excited to have come across the Foundation For A Better Life. They have so many inspirational quotes and stories there!
January 1st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
This is a great entry Steve. Thank you for sharing, very inspiring and uplifting! Also, this seems like an incredible foundation that I was not aware of. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, as I think it is truly outstanding!
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Bamboo: Thank you for those encouraging praises. Having contributions and kind words like yours help me to spend the time to work on each post to ensure that they quality-driven and not quantity-driven. Thanks again.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Wow, what a moving, but yet motivating story. People should always remember that there’s bigger things in life and bigger problems then our own.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Tibi: Every time I read her story, it inspires me and reminds me that no matter what life throws at you that you can overcome all. And yes, as you mentioned, realizing that there are others with problems much greater than ours helps to put things into perspective.