Teaching By Living~ Mattie Stepanek
Hello, dearest Light family.
There was once a time, when my physical "limitations dictated my actions, mood and lack of love, for this Life.
During this time, I met Mattie...via Oprah and a book, entitled: "HeartSongs" by Mattie Stepanek. In it, he would teach me to be consistently introspective, in fulfilling the desire to live a better life and grateful, for BEing alive.
Mattie, will always be part of the light, in my heart. At a time when it hurt, mind-body-soul, to move and breathing seemed to be the only grace, Mattie helped inspire me, in recognition of this, infinite strength and Gift, of life ~ the Breath ~
Learning, via experience, that the grace of one breath...is more than enough, for infinite Gratitude and Loving, (for/with God/Universe/Creation), has been my life's greatest lesson...thus far~ ;-) ; always leaving room for growing ~
During this time, I met Mattie...via Oprah and a book, entitled: "HeartSongs" by Mattie Stepanek. In it, he would teach me to be consistently introspective, in fulfilling the desire to live a better life and grateful, for BEing alive.
Mattie, will always be part of the light, in my heart. At a time when it hurt, mind-body-soul, to move and breathing seemed to be the only grace, Mattie helped inspire me, in recognition of this, infinite strength and Gift, of life ~ the Breath ~
Learning, via experience, that the grace of one breath...is more than enough, for infinite Gratitude and Loving, (for/with God/Universe/Creation), has been my life's greatest lesson...thus far~ ;-) ; always leaving room for growing ~
~Thank you Mattie~
His book "Heart~songs", resonates with a purity, only ever paralleled, for me, by similar spirits, of Divine Light~God spirit, recognized~for it is in us...ALL.
Thank you Mattie, that you were, are (in heaven's light celebration~love) and ever, will be {through you Life~ lived as a star~ shining pure LOVE}~
His book "Heart~songs", resonates with a purity, only ever paralleled, for me, by similar spirits, of Divine Light~God spirit, recognized~for it is in us...ALL.
Thank you Mattie, that you were, are (in heaven's light celebration~love) and ever, will be {through you Life~ lived as a star~ shining pure LOVE}~
Inspiring Teacher, Hero and Angel heart~
LOVE~AyAnnA K
LOVE~AyAnnA K
~THANK YOU MATTIE~
Young Poet and Peacemaker Hero Mattie Stepanek passed away on the morning of June 22, 2004. Mattie’s poems of peace and hope have touched millions of lives; his heartsongs will continue to reach people of all ages around the world for decades to come. |
POET HERO:
MATTIE STEPANEK
 Mattie suffered from a hereditary disease calleddysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy that had already claimed the lives of his three older siblings. Mattie's mother, Jeni, also suffers from the same disease. Mattie needed to take a portable oxygen tank on wheels with him wherever he went. Many times his illness would land him in bed in the intensive care unit of the children's hospital. Outside, Mattie was only able to move about in his motorized wheelchair. Even though Mattie battled a terminal illness for many years, Mattie never saw his condition as an obstacle between him and his goals. He began writing when he was about 3 years old. Before he passed away in June, 2004, Mattie had written thousands of poems, dozens of essays and short stories, and presented a bound anthology of his writing to the Library of Congress. He received many awards for his writing, including the Melinda A. Lawrence International Book Award in 1999 for “most inspirational work.” His love of reading and writing evolved into public speaking, earning him the Maryland State Goodwill Ambassadorship for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. During his short lifetime, he enthusiastically participated in fundraising events to help find a cure for neuromuscular diseases, and to encourage children and families suffering from these diseases to celebrate life until a cure is found. In Mattie’s words, “. . .we must remember to play after every storm and to celebrate the gift of life as we have it, or else life becomes a task, rather than a gift. We must always listen to the song in our heart, and share that song with others.” Mattie on his hero ~ When I grow up, I want to be a peacemaker. My biggest role model for this is Jimmy Carter, who has been a wonderful peanut farmer, politician, and peacemaker... I call him the 'perfect hero.'
On Being a Champion
A Champion is a winner,
A hero... Someone who never gives up Even when the going gets rough. A champion is a member of A winning team... Someone who overcomes challenges Even when it requires creative solutions. A champion is an optimist, A hopeful spirit... Someone who plays the game, Even when the game is called life. There can be a champion in each of us, If we live as a winner, If we live as a member of the team, If we live with a hopeful spirit, For Life. From the bookJOURNEY THROUGH HEARTSONGS by Mattie J.T. Stepanek.Copyright (c) 2001 Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Published by Hyperion.Used by permission.(c)2010 The My Hero Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Technical errors or questions? support@myheroproject.orghttp://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=mattieStepanek |
