We’ve all heard the expression “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”  And, sure, it’s comforting to know that we humans have the capacity to endure the many challenges that life tends to hurl at us. But, how many of us know that the stakes aren’t always that high?  After all, it doesn’t necessarily take a personal tragedy to completely throw us off track – sometimes a harsh comment at exactly the wrong moment will do the trick just fine.

So what do we do when we find ourselves stuck in a valley that we’re just too tired or overwhelmed to climb out of?  Where do we find inspiration in a world that, at times, can be thoroughly uninspiring?

If you’re like me, then you probably derive strength and inspiration from people you know and admire – such as friends, colleagues, mentors and the like. Or, perhaps pioneers who’ve succeeded in their fields despite insurmountable odds inspire you to follow in their footsteps.  Regardless of your station in life or the goals you’ve set in your heart, we can all use a little pep talk every now and then, and that is exactly why we’ve packed this May “Inspiration” issue with features about innovators, artists and trailblazers designed to enlighten and inspire us all!

Hollywood royalty stops by this month’s “Fashion & Beauty” section as we review the latest lines of cosmetics and clothing inspired by the likes of Grace Kelly, Drew Barrymore and the Material Girl, herself, Madonna.

In “Business & Social Affairs,” we’ll offer some tips on how entrepreneurs can find essential funding from non-traditional sources. And, speaking  of breaking from tradition, we’ll learn, in “World View,” how a group of Uyghur women are changing the face of China’s military forever.

This month’s issue also features the return of “Mr. Right” as we focus on one of the hottest – literally and figuratively – actors in Hollywood: the utterly scrumptious Omari Hardwick!  As host of the spoken word series “Verses and Flow,” Omari shows off the sensitivity, style and sexiness that have made him one of the men to watch in Tinseltown, and we spoke with him about what inspires him as both an artist and a man.

And we were so inspired by the ground-breaking Lifetime Original Film “Call Me Crazy: a Five Film” starring Jennifer Hudson, Brittany Snow and more that, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve devoted this month’s cover story to some of Hollywood’s greatest films that shined the spotlight on the realities of coping with and overcoming mental illness.

One of the most inspiring quotes I’ve ever heard came from the legendary author Charlotte Bronte, who said, “I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.” Like all great literature, her words are open for interpretation. Perhaps, by looking “upward” she was referring to a higher power. Or, maybe she was intimating a deep optimism – suggesting that, whatever the challenge, the sky is the limit. Regardless of the true meaning behind her words, there is one thing that is undeniable: when you force your eyes to look upward, it’s impossible for your head to hang low.