Tuesday, August 13, 2013

What Inspires You?


What inspires you?

Your spouse? Your children? Your friends? A beautiful painting? A good book?

I'm not talking about creating art or writing a novel. I'm talking about what inspires you in your everyday. What inspires you to take action? What makes you decide "I'm gonna go X today"?

For me, it's my children, my husband or a good book.

But what about the days when you are not inspired?

Some days it's hard to function. It's difficult to get up and do what needs to be done, going through the same routine each day.

On these days, wouldn't it be nice to lay in the sun in a field of flowers and simply stare longingly into the eyes of your sparkly, vampire boyfriend waiting for inspiration to strike?

No? Just me?

Alas, I don't think most of us have the luxury to do so. Most of us can't sit idly by staring dreamily out the window until we are inspired.

We have people depending on us. We have responsibilities and jobs to be done.

As Stephen King so succinctly put it, "Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us get up and go to work."

So what do you do when you are uninspired? When you are waiting for that extra push or incentive to get you started on that long lost project?

Sorry to burst your bubble but I am not sure I have the answer.

However, I can tell you what works for me. I try and appreciate each day. I try to be grateful for all God has given me. I focus on my beautiful children and my wonderful husband. I reflect on my many blessings. And I remind myself to keep on putting one foot in front of the other because one day inspiration will come.

It's no sparkly vampire and field of flowers, but it'll do. It'll do just fine.


 

20 comments:

  1. You're right, being grateful is a powerful motivator, and sometimes I need reminders that I have many blessings in my life.

    I'm not big into vampire boyfriends ; ) Boxing is my current motivational tool of choice. My coach and the other boxers are amazingly kind- hearted and inspiring. They motivate me to work harder - not only, in the gym, but in my daily life.

    Karen

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    1. Being grateful is a great motivator. I am of the mindset that if you are not thankful for what you have God will not bless you with any more.
      As for the sparkly vampire boyfriend, well, I can take him or leave him. ;0)
      Boxing is awesome! I have a friend who has started going that and she loves it.
      Thanks for visiting!

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  2. When I'm uninspired? Usually that leads to me internetting for faaaaar too long (at the expense of my sleep!). I hate not being productive.

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    1. Yes, Gia! The internet, especially Twitter will pull me in. Focus! Focus! Focus! ;)
      Thanks for visiting!

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  3. I know my husband and my kids inspire me - a lot. They are so full of energy, and positive feelings and they just love life! I also find many blogs inspire me - especially ones that talk about gratitude. I get inspired by listening to some music too.

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    1. Leah, thanks for sharing what inspires you. I love to hear how other people get motivated. Awesome!
      Glad you stopped by!

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  4. I could get on board with lying in the field with the sparkly vampire boyfriend :)

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  5. I find that ordinary people are doing such extraordinary things that they are just taking for granted. So I try to watch what others are doing positively and take inspiration from that...from their bravery and perseverance.

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    1. Zoe, that is so simply and beautifully stated. I couldn't agree more. Every day people are doing extraordinary things.
      And I bet you are one of those people.
      Thanks for visiting!

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  6. Replies
    1. Pull up your boot straps and get to it!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. I think this post inspired me. But ill pass on the sparkly blood sucker.

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  8. Focusing on God, family and gratefulness sounds like a good plan to me.

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  9. I want to lie in a field with my sparkly vampire boyfriend! Love the King quote, because it's true--sometimes we just have to do even when we don't feel. I think relationship with God is like that (sometimes I don't FEEL it) and so is writing. But going through the motions sometimes help me get moving.

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  10. Good advice. Putting one foot in front of the other works for me. And remember to be grateful for the things you have will often times remind you of the things that inspire you all over again!

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  11. Very true! I like that you've identified that gratitude is an important part of the journey.

    I've a weekend blog-hop based around just that, and watching people's Ten Things of Thankful lists build up, and seeing the joy get shared and the attitudes change when people still resolve to do their list when times are tough, is absolutely incredible.

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  12. I'm working on that right now - inspiration, I mean. When I'm not inspired, I just try to go to work, and hope the inspiration follows.

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  13. Uninspired? I have no time for that. Must. Do. All. The. Everythings.

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  14. Ironically I started a post like this last night about things that motivate me or inspire me, but I couldn't find the inspiration to finish it ;-)

    I am inspired by my daughter, my friends, and family. Books and music also play a huge role in inspiring me. Also ever since my miscarriage I try to live every day knowing that baby can see me, and wanting my life to be something he would be proud of.

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Thanks for reading and commenting!