# Inspiring

Sir Richard Branson's Role Models - Inspiring Tributes for Entrepreneurs

Starting and growing a business is a bumpy journey, but it can be made a little easier with someone to provide inspiration -- and a reminder of why you embarked on this crazy path in the first place. Check out this list of role models from 14 aspiring entrepreneurs and Branson himself.

# Inspiring

Passserby Hero Catches Baby Dropped from Burning Building

A woman trapped inside a burning apartment trusted a stranger with her child's life Saturday morning when she dropped the infant from a second-story window and into the sure and steady hands of a man who happened to be there only because he'd been called into work early.

# Inspiring

New York Millionaires Offer to Pay Extra Taxes to Offset Budget Cuts

Millionaires across New York State are banding together to ask for more taxes. About 100 wealthy New Yorkers, including actor Mark Ruffalo, say they want to do their part to help the state out of its budget crisis, and they are encouraging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend their so-called millionaire's tax.

# Inspiring

Meditation Changes Brain Structure In 8 Weeks, Helping Memory Loss, Stress

In just 8-weeks, a program of mindfulness meditation was able to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, empathy and stress. A team at Massachusetts General Hospital documented that the structural changes in the brain were actually produced by regular periods of focused attention during meditation.

# Inspiring

Helping Veterans Trade Their Swords for Plows

Since his three tours in Iraq, a decorated Marine Corps infantry sergeant turned organic farmer has developed a six-week course in avocado agriculture for returning veterans who may want to build new careers in the farming movement.

# Inspiring

Former Businessman Turns to Comic Books to Create Positive Change Through Inspiring Stories

Sensing a mid-life crisis, a successful 35-year-old Japanese businessman quit his job believing it was time to do something positive with his life instead of just making money. He turned to what he loved most, manga (or anime), the graphic comic book novels popularized by Japanese animators. Normally the medium for superheroes, he uses manga to tell tales of real life heroes, such as the Dalai Lama and Ghandi, to create positive change within young people and society.

# Inspiring

Chicago-area Firefighters Help Latin America

A year ago, an earthquake in southern Chile devastated towns, flattening fire stations and equipment that could have been used in the rescue efforts. This week, an Illinois pastor has mobilized 10 Chicago-area firefighters who will travel to the South American country to train about 100 firefighters, bringing along discarded but usable firefighting gear.

# Inspiring

Medical Miracle as Adopted Son Gets to Repay Mom With a Kidney

Facing 7 or 8 years on the organ donor waiting list, an ailing Massachusetts mom, having exhausted all possibilities for kidney matches with blood relatives, found her miracle organ match in her grown adopted son from El Salvador.