HOW DO THE INSPIRERS STAY INSPIRED?
MAYBE SHE’S BORN WITH IT
We asked and they answered. These are the stories and moments of truth from just a few of the North Shore’s most inspirational people. Look around, look in the mirror, because they are everywhere. The most important thing that you will learn from these stories is that the people
HOW RESILIENCE AND HAVING SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN HER CHANGED SHERRY BLINKHORN’S LIFE
sharing them did not sit around and wait for inspiration to strike. They all have found the energy in a singular moment or culmination of experiences that motivated them to take action, to own their own truth, and be the change they want to see
BY CRYSTAL MURRAY PHOTOS BY STEVE SMITH, VISIONFIRE STUDIOS
in the world.
Ignite Your Inspiration Inspiration can be transformational. We have all met people who we say have change our lives, or in some way ignited something inside us that just needed a little kindling to get started. Living an inspired life becomes a practice. Most of us don’t just wake up that way. It’s like good penmanship, crow pose in yoga, or making a good risotto. It takes work and it takes patience. The most inspired people still face adversity and have their mettle tested. How they handle the challenges is what other people are drawn to and look towards for inspiration in their own lives. Inspirational people live their legacy, they don’t just leave it behind. As you step into these stories, we hope that you take this time to think about what inspires you and how you can be the spark that ignites something powerful in someone else. We know it’s in there.
Sherry Blinkhorn curls up into the corner of her sofa. Late winter sunshine fills the living room of her home in Lochbroom, Pictou County. She takes a sip from the glass of water that is resting on her lap and a delicate black scripted tattoo peeks out from under her sleeve. The words Goodness Prevails emanate from the inside of her forearm like a beauty mark that has been imprinted in her DNA. There is a lot of discussion these days whether or not resilience is something that you are born with or something that is learned. Is it as black and white as nature versus nurture? Or, is it a trait that is found someplace in between what biology has given you and your learned experiences? Resilient people are a curiosity and an inspiration. Sherry is asked all the time, “How did she do it? How did she pull herself out of the turmoil of her childhood and her youth and become the person that she is today?” She says that she owes her life to
water
Sherry’s tips for leading an inspired life...
I really believe that water is calming. When I need to de-escalate I go to the water. I know it sounds contradictory but the water grounds me.
The North Shore
ah! Spring 2020 - 24
