A Word of Encouragement
Inspire
The following is an excerpt from the e-journal entitled:
In an age where cynicism rules the day, it can be difficult to try to find any one thing that truly inspires us. Yet inspiration is exactly what is needed to fill the void left by the everyday routine of living.
Inspiration makes us soar when life seeks to pull us down. It incentivizes us to want to do better and be better. Amidst all the clutter in this world competing for our attention, inspiration hides in plain view waiting patiently to be found by those who seek it.
That which inspires us makes us whole. It is in this wholeness that we come one step closer to understanding the fullness of what we are about at the heart of it all. What does it mean to inspire? It is anything that excites in you a feeling that causes you to want to do something positive, something creative, and ultimately (dare we hope) something that succeeds in inspiring others.
Consider this: Who in your life has had a positive impact on you? Where do you go to find inspiration? In what ways are you an inspiration to others around you? Do you lead an inspired life or one in search of something inspired? Is inspiration a thing that you seek to gain or gain to give?
To be sure, different people find inspiration in many different places and from many different things. It could be in the sunset or in its’ rise, in the moon’s glow or in starry skies. It’s in the Rocky Mountains, the deep blue sea, the birds flying overhead or their chirp in trees.
It’s in a beautiful flower in the palm of your hand, in the droplet of rain, or a grain of sand. It’s in the beauty of the rainbow, the majestic tree, or a speech spoken with impassioned sincerity.
The words and laughter of a child, the wisdom of a smile, the kiss of a hand, the hug from a friend, yes that which inspires us makes us anew…so I ask again, what inspires you?
Inspirationally yours,
~Tami
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Change
The following is an excerpt from the e-journal entitled:
When you hear the word “change” does it produce warm and fuzzy feelings of exuberance within or feelings of dread, nervousness and displeasure? For most, depending upon the circumstances, reactions to the word can span from one end of the spectrum to the other, with most staying somewhere in the middle.
To be sure, positive change in an ever-changing world can be the greatest thing and yet it is still quite often met with fear, mistrust and acrimony. Most people are comfortable with the status quo of their lives preferring not to encounter changes along the way. Others embrace change as a necessary fact of life and find ways to acclimate.
Assessing how you handle change in various situations can mean the difference between living a life filled with stress versus living a life that is virtually stress free. In other words, for those who find it difficult to accept change, it is important to recognize this as a potential source of stress and prepare ways in advance to minimize the inevitable stress that will ensue when change occurs.
When you prepare yourself in advance, you are then better equipped to handle the uncertainty that change brings along with it. Since a great deal of our anxiety toward change stems from a fear of the unknown, it is important to deal with the root of the problem in advance before the next opportunity for change arises.
You have to tell yourself and believe that you are strong enough to deal with anything that may come across your pathway along this journey of life. No matter what it is, you are well able to adapt to it and find a place for it in your life.
Acknowledging that you have the ability to put change in its proper place in your life is key to maintaining the level of control that you need in order to successfully deal with change head on. This way, no matter if you deem it to be a positive change or a negative one your reaction to it can be the same as long as you develop a mindset that you will either accept it, embrace it, move pass it or use it to your advantage.
But one thing is true, change will not be ignored no matter how hard you try to do so and agonizing about how to deal with it once it arrives is not a healthy alternative to dealing with it head on. Be proactive in your approach to changing circumstances. Instead of dreading the inevitable visit, expect its arrival and prepare a place for it to live comfortably in your life. In an ever-changing world it’s the best way to live.
Inspirationally yours,
~Tami
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Joy
Discovering Joy in the Little Things
So often in our day to day lives we get bogged down in the mundane routine of things. There’s the morning routine: for some its make the coffee, shower, dress and feed the kids, change the baby, make the lunches, get the kids off to school and daycare and make it to work on time. The workday routine: finish the report, draft the letter, take the call, get to the third meeting and grab a bite to eat on the way to the next. And of course the evening routine: prepare the dinner, feed the family, clean the kitchen, help with homework, get the kids ready for bed and then collapse into a comatose sleep (if you’re lucky) because in less than eight hours you have to do it all over again.
For some these daily tasks can bring a certain amount of joy and satisfaction in knowing that you’re doing something worthwhile. For others it’s just habit forming, mind numbing routine that you can pretty much do with your eyes shut. And unfortunately you wouldn’t characterize the feeling that you get as one of enjoyment or satisfaction. It’s necessity. If you don’t do it, who will? You figure that’s just life! Joy is for children. Once childhood leaves, joy goes with it…or does it?
Think about the feeling you get when you experience the peace and quiet that occurs in those precious few moments before the rest of the household awakes. That’s joy. For some it’s the laughter that comes from the kids down the hall. For others it’s the sound of the rain, the beauty of the snow, the crackling of the fire, the changing colors of the leaves, the aroma of our favorite foods, the hobby we love, the people we adore, the list is endless. And so are the possibilities for achieving this level of utopia if only for a few moments at a time.
Easier said than done? Not really. All it takes is a conscious effort to live in the moment and have a “glass half full” perspective. That’s just a fancy way of saying slow down a sec. and let the good stuff overshadow the bad. Allow those few fleeting moments to act as speed bumps on the journey of your life. Take the time to savor it.
Wouldn’t you cherish your cup of coffee more if you didn’t feel so rushed to consume it on the go? When was the last time that you were in the light of day and actually looked up at the sky or down at the flowers competing for your glance of admiration? It’s all about perspective. Focus on the joy of hearing your favorite song on the radio, not on the frustration of seeing the traffic jammed all around you.
These are the small pleasures in life that can bring enormous amounts of joy in an otherwise dull and joy-less existence. Why sleepwalk through life. Instead of letting each day pass without getting any enjoyment out of it, why not selfishly grab tiny moments of joy throughout your daily routine and savor them until you discover the next.
Yes, it all must get done and it will, right after you discover the joy in a little thing.
Inspirationally yours,
~Tami
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