Inspiration - new beginnings - Renovating Italy

PERSONAL

Believe you can & you’re already half way there!

‘Do one thing every day that scares you’

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Inspiration is a gift beyond measure, it is both to be inspired and inspire others.

It is a gift I wish I could wrap up in ribbon and give to you.

That our journey has inspired so many of you to start dreaming, to think ‘why not’, to take action and start moving toward your goals just lights me up.

I can’t help thinking about where it all began and the gathering momentum that bought us to this point. Passion, connection to a place, and yes inspiration all played a part, but not stopping when everything seemed against us takes something else….guts!

I’m often told that what we did is inspiring, brave, not possible, and even foolhardy not always in that order. The one thing that continued to come up was the effect this would have on our children especially our son Luca.

His autism opens the field for thoughtless comments and small dreams, the box he is meant to fit into.

Do you ever notice that children don’t talk about inspiration? It’s such a part of them, like joy and laughter, innocence and wonder….they don’t need to look for it in others it just shines from them.

I would like to think that we inspire our children, that in their hearts they know they can do anything.

I hope we inspire friends and family to follow a dream…and I’d like you all to know how much you inspire me to keep writing, to continue reaching out, and to share our simple story….your world touches ours and that is what I find inspiring.

and the gang x

20 replies

Trisha Thomas says:
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Lisa — you are an inspiration to me. You have such a positive outlook on life and you also have a lot of GUTS. You have a beautiful family and I love the way you make your dreams come true.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Dearest Trisha we have so much that just seems naturally in common. thank you for that and ditto to you, your strength shines! Here’s to us for making our dreams come true through thick and thin, and having the heart to reach out!! sending lots of love to you and your family xxxx
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Carla Coulson says:
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Dear Lisa,
Beautiful words I have loved following your steps to creating your dream Italian life on your blog and to finally meet you at my workshop in Sydney was such a memorable moment as now I can enjoy it even more…….counting down the days you must have so many emotions dancing around your body!! Thinking of you xx Carla
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Janine says:
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Having met you Lisa, your posts and words and images are even more special for me. I read Vicki a little and Splenderosa at length just now, before writing back to you…. It strikes me how important it is for us to know where we can go to get the inspiration we need. It happens, too easily, to find yourself in the wrong place with the wrong voices around you and our dreams cna begin to seems too big and impossible. Then, a post and a world opens up to let you know you’re not alone at all. Grazie. xo
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Linda Chapman says:
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Congrats to you for your great strength of adventure, courage for believing and bountiful spirit. I am so inspired and encouraged by your dreams and resulting success. Blessings follow you in all your steps to all your dreams come true. All the world loves a happy ending; for we all truly want to live in a fairytale.
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  The fairytale is just beginning for us, and I have no idea where the story will lead. So glad to share your inspiration and dreams Linda, sending love x
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jann says:
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Ah, you and your boy–too sweet for words. He is lucky indeed to have such a beautiful and inspirational mamma.
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Ingrid says:
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Ciao Lisa!!
Isn’t it great to see all those steps finally edging you to your home in Italy!! Patience and perseverance paying off dividends!! I am certain the days seem both too long & too short as excitement mounts and you feel there is so much still to do!! Keep up the good work!!

Ingrid xo
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Elizabeth Heath says:
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What a lovely post to wake up to this morning! I think we’re both lucky that for every naysayer, there were (at least!) three more people standing behind us and whispering, “Go for it!”
Thank you so much for sharing this, Lisa. 🙂
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It’s those wonderful people saying ‘You can do it’ and leading by example that I listen to with my entire heart and soul. Just because the majority do something the same way doesn’t make it right, and it’s certainly not working for our children and I would say for many others. Let’s ‘Go for it’ xxxx
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Lisa Wood says:
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And your inspiration is what keeps dreams alive – congratulations on having the guts, and look at your sons smiling face – that says it all xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  It’s always more interesting swimming against the flow, certainly a challenge as you well know Lisa. Soon we’ll be on the homeschooling and I know that will bring a new set of learning for us all xxx
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Millie says:
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Beautiful words Lisa, beautiful post. Keep living the dream. xx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh thanks so much for that Millie xxx
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Beverly Genevish says:
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My dear kindred spirit! I keep a magnet on my fridge with Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote! It is my mantra!! So much so, I wrote a letter to my sons about it – http://letterstostevenandtyler.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/do-one-thing-everyday-that-scares-you/. Have a read at your leisure.
I have so enjoyed following your adventure and, as one hoping to follow suit and eventually share a bottle of vino with you, I hope you can hear my cheers of encouragement from the other side of the world.
“Go confidently in the i direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” Best wishes!
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Hi Beverley thanks so much for sending me the link, your letters to your sons are beautiful and I bet they will treasure them. My Mum over the years has sent me multiple letters and cards and I have kept them all for our children. I was just reading through some of them yesterday while packing and they bought back so many memories. I’ll put the link onto my post and hope some people take the time to read it. I hear your cheers loud and clear and yes that vino will be great, ciao love lisa x
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Krista says:
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You inspire me SO much, dear Lisa! Every day with your words, the beautiful photos you share, and just being your dear, hopeful self. 🙂 I’m so amazed by your courage and strength of purpose in the light of some of these hurtful comments. Press on!! XO
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Oh that is so me Krista…hopeful! I can’t wait to see how our children take on this adventure x
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Francesca Muir says:
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This is wonderful Lisa – you are an inspiration – may your new beginnings forever be all that you have dreamed. Ciao Bella F xxx
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- Lisa Chiodo says:
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  Inspiration is found in so many places and your page always reminds me of that Francesca, it’s the beautiful stories that accompany your images and touch the heart xxx
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