I can't wait to watch this tonight, Carolyn! I know you've done a bang-up job being the first intro video. So exciting!

This is awesome, Carolyn! I noticed the necklace pretty early in the video and then at the end saw you linked to it at the bottom of the post- perfect!

It was so cool to hear you read your intro out loud. Your story is so incredible every time I hear it. Loved what you did with "props" too! I might borrow that idea for my post next week. You made it very easy to see what I should do with my segment- so thank you!

So happy you both like it :)! It was scary doing the video alone!!

What a wonderful video, Carolyn. You are truly inspiring.

Carolyn, this video is so fabulous. You've set the bar high for the rest of us!! I can't wait to meet you in person one of these days. :)

Great job. You are adorable and so inspiring :)

I love seeing this site unfold...thank you for sharing, Carolyn! I also checked out the Today Show clip that showed up as 'related' after!

Who's next? Can't wait to watch! :)

xo, Lindsay

Carolyn, you never cease to amaze me. Every time I watch or read something you do I learn something new and exciting about you :)

AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

High school sweethearts. So GD cute.

Bah! I'm all tear-stain-cheeked now, and it's all your fault. ;")

I was so moved by the reading of your book's introduction. Wow. I am adding it to my Christmas Wish List now, and will definitely be looking up the other book as well. Both readings pulled at the heartstrings and who can ignore that?! Certianly not I. I am really looking forward to reading the stories of the incredible survivors who have entrusted you with their stories in order to spread hope across the world through the written word. I can only imagine how honoring that must feel.

Your confidence and openness is so refreshing. I have blogged on and off for years, but when it comes right down to, the moments where I'm feeling the most vulnerable and raw are the circumstances that have me backing up, away from others, even when I have support and encouragement. Seeing others, like yourself, who can still keep the fire burning instead of letting it fizzle out are those that I admire most in life. I feel like I am destined to let my fires fizzle out before they ever had a chance to build to their brightest because I haven't figured out the secret that all successful people should know. I know that it it's not that simplistic and it never will be, but surely there are little things that can be done to stave off the persistence of "the easier way," giving up on these goals and desires in life. I have so many questions popping around in my head now, and I hope that if I throw them out here, you might take the time to answer one or two...

Do you have any advice to share on how you dealt with the overwhelming moments as an adolescent when you were prompted to create your charity? How did you endure?
Do you feel that, in all of these experiences you have had, you are in a contented place now and the hardest is behind you? If not, how do intend to brave the next hurdle in your path to success?
And lastly... how would you define success in your life anyway? Do you feel successful already, or do you feel you have yet to achieve it? Why or why not?

Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself. As you can see, I am starved for your wisdom now. *lol* :") I look forward to getting to know and learn from the other girls in the future, too!

Tina, thank you so much for your really honest and heartfelt comment. These questions are incredible and I will definitely share my thoughts with you and other readers. I'll respond with a follow up comment after I take some time to really think about them.

Sorry for the 3rd degree grilling. *lol* Your video just bubbled me up with so much thought and curiosity! For me, that is a nice change from the mundane.
Thanks for considering these questions.

Great job, Carolyn. Geez, you just started this project and already I am inspired! You've accomplished so much already in your life. I love that when you felt something, even before you had fully explored what it was you wanted to accomplish, you moved ahead. I know for lots of folks, myself included, we spend a lot of time thinking things through, so much so that sometimes fruitful ideas fizzle out into nothingness. I think what I'm taking from your video today is a reminder that when you are moved, you should embrace it and run with it, even if, especially if, we don't know where that will lead us.

I love this blog. It is such a happy place to be and Carolyn, you seem so relaxed and comfortable telling your amazing story. You have accomplished so much at such a young age and have had such a positive effect on so many people and there is still so much you will do. Our world is a better place because of people like you who influence things for the better just by being! Now I know where to go to find spring everyday! Thank you!!!

You're so cute I can't stand it, Carolyn!

What a great way for me to end my day. And to continue our twin parallel, I recorded my intro last week & also read from a book. Seriously. We just need to find our birth certificates so we can end this nonsense.

Also, I have to come clean & admit that while I bought your book ages ago, I've read only half of it. Even though I knew these stories were about hope & that everyone wound up OK (right?!), sometimes reading about the hardship those children faced became too much for me to bear. In hearing you read that into again, I'm excited to open it back up with new eyes & look instead for the perseverance there. I know it will really be enlightening.

How lucky I am for you to consider me your friend!

Carolyn....what a gift you are. I am honored beyond words.

That was a beautifully made video. It is not easy putting yourself out there like that. I think you are absolutely adorable...

It was so nice hearing your story Carolyn. It's not everyday that someone your age can grasp such universal, wise concepts and do something so powerful with them. Props girl! I can't wait to see what else the Spring group creates.