Looking for a little inspiration? Look no further than the pages of this magazine, where you can read three stories about Westinghouse employees who are just trying to live their lives, but in doing so are examples from which we can all learn something valuable.

Leading off this issue of Community Health magazine is Nalene Hamilton, who despite planning to run nearly 50 miles over four days next January does not consider herself to be a “serious runner.” Nalene will participate in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, a title which doesn’t really do the event justice since it involves running 48.6 miles. That’s about 48 times farther than the vast majority of adults run in an entire year.

Nalene’s drive to push herself to accomplish this is fueled in part by people doubting she can do it. I don’t doubt the resolve of anyone who says she is going to run 48.6 miles.

I certainly respect Nalene’s opinion that she is not a serious runner, but am not so sure I agree. Then again, I consider any running I do – which is infrequent, and more often than not involves my 4-year-old son – to be serious.

We also in this issue have the story of Donna Lee, whose display of strength and will to live during her fight to beat throat cancer is nothing short of remarkable. Many of us have experienced the horrors of cancer — through our own battles or those of people we love — and are familiar with how the disease or the treatments one endures to defeat it can ravage a person physically and emotionally; so Donna’s story may not be completely alien.

That does not, however, diminish what she did to remain resolute while enduring kidney failure, seizures, radiation burns to her throat, and destroyed teeth. And she emerged from the darkness alive, and no doubt even stronger than she was before.

Last but not least is the story of Sarah Burger, whose son, Brooks, has a severe peanut allergy. Anyone who has a child with a potentially life-threatening allergy understands the challenge of living with a nearly constant anxiety that is amplified when your child is not with you.

But Sarah decided to channel that fear and anxiety toward a cause, and has become involved with a group that provides a network of support for children with allergies and their families, and also raises money for allergy research.

What these three women have in common and what has been displayed through very different experiences is a powerful spirit, and the will to make a stand against adversity. Each of their stories carries with it a lesson to which we would all be wise to pay attention.