Inspiration
What comes to your mind when you think of the word inspire?
- to influence?
- to breath in; to inhale?
How about inspired?
- filled with an idea?
- motivated?
Inspiration?
- an impression from God?
- a desire to do something?
Did you know you can inspire someone else?
YOU can influence other people. You can fill them with ideas. You can motivate them to do something. It’s like having a superpower, but you need to use that power responsibly and decide if you want to use for good or evil.
That sounds like a joke, and it kind of is … but it kind of isn’t.
The trick is to fill yourself with good things.
Fill your mind, your body, your spirit, your heart, your creativity, your you . . . with good things. In order for these parts of you to radiate light and be an influence for good, you must fill them with light and good.
1. Breathe:
INSPIRATION (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən) is the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs
First things first. Stand up. Close your eyes. Breath in all the way (in-two-three-four) as you lift your hands way above your head. Feel how tall and straight your torso is. Doesn’t that feel good? Then puff all the air out and let your torso kind of slump. How does that feel? Next, breathe in all the way in again (in-two-three-four), lifting your hands way up high as you do. Feel how tall and straight your torso is. THEN, leave your torso right where it is as you slowly exhale (out-two-three-four) and relax your arms and shoulders–but leave your torso where it was! Let your tummy out as you take in another breath. Inhale by pushing down your diaphragm in stead of expanding your ribs–they are already expanded. Feel how much more room there is for air! Do this several times whenever you feel sad or anxious or angry. Clean air is the first and easiest healthy thing to fill yourself with (assuming you’re not in a crowded elevator, but even a modified version of this exercise will do a lot of good.)
Clearing your mind like this is a good way to receive inspiration so you can, in turn, inspire others.
2. Take in other good things:
Fill your life with opportunities to become inspired.
I found this great article entitled “What Fills Your Mind?” by Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, a specialist on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He said, “set your mind on what you can help grow and flourish . . . on what you can sink your teeth into and come out with a prized plum.”
So, fill your self with good books! (Not just mine, but yes, please do include it.) Listen to music that makes you want to dance! Learn something new from a documentary or a podcast or a sermon! Fill yourself with positive energy! And listen: I want to be careful with that word positive. I don’t simply mean happy fluff. I mean creative substance. You’ve heard me say this before, and I will say it again: You were created to create. To solve. To act. To influence. To build. To grow. Fill yourself with all the things that help you do that.
3. Pray:
DIVINE INSPIRATION is inspiration that comes from God.
Go ahead and search for “benefits of prayer” in whatever browser you have open. You will find articles not just from various religious sites, but medical and psychological experts as well. For me, prayer is the thing to do for inspiration. Try it! Close your eyes and say, “God? What’s something good I can do today to feed my soul?”
You will get ideas! Try it! Then write the ideas down. That’s important.
Challenge (choose one):
For the next seven days, whenever you need a break, an idea, or a little boost of energy, stand up, stretch, and breathe. Do this at least five times during the day. At the end of the week, get out your journal and write down how doing this made you feel.- During the next seven days, do at least one new activity each day to generate ideas and energy–things you don’t normally do. Watch the sunset. Look at the stars, Blow bubbles, Go for a walk. Ask a friend for a book recommendation and start reading. Color. Try a new recipe. Write down your experiences in your journal either as you go along, or at the end of the week.
- For the next seven days, pray at least twice a day. Start by giving thanks for ten things, then ask for ideas that will help you receive more inspiration for your life. For this challenge, record the ideas you receive every day in your joural.
