JOURNEE to Inspiration
Before I ever apply for a job I always ask myself, what is my WHY? I don’t think I realized it at the time, but the reason I chose Fisk University and the University of Missouri was to help me figure out my WHY. My WHY for picking up a basketball or starting a career in athletics was because of my Dad. This WHY can also be referred to as INSPIRATION.
What exactly is inspiration? What does it mean to be or feel inspired? After a little research I found these definitions
Definition of inspiration:
“The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative.” Source: Oxforddictionaries.com
“A feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something, which gives you new and creative ideas.” Source: Collinsdictionary.com
“An inspiring or animating action or influence.” Source: Dictionary.com
“A divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.” Source: Merriam-Webster.com
“The excitement of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.” Source: Thefreedictionary.com
These are dictionary definitions but I want to take things deeper, further, and search for a personal definition of inspiration.
When I think about inspiration or feeling inspired I believe that can stem from love. I was thinking about when I first became a mother. My heartbeat changed rhythms, literally, after I found out I was with child. My daughter’s love has transformed my whole life trajectory. She gives life a whole new meaning. Each thing I do now is not only for myself but to better our lives. I have become wiser and more responsible to say the least. I then began to think about falling in love with this one guy who inspired me to be greater because his love was so authentic. He would constantly tell me we have our bond but let’s focus on bettering ourselves to do more together. Still today, his love inspires me to work harder, challenge myself more, and seek further knowledge. I am still convinced he helped my vision come to light with my business. I love you forever and thank you MLS. In my opinion, inspiration isn’t something that can be taught nor is it something you can buy. However, inspiration can be cultivated and created.
To be inspired is a wonderful thing! It gives purpose, it gives you hope, it can serve as a compass when maybe you have lost your way. Here are a few steps I thought of to create/cultivate inspiration:
1. Give yourself time where you disconnect- with so much social media and distractions sometimes it may help to unplug from your phone and social media accounts. Take solace in quite alone time. One of the ways I do this is going on a social media fasts each year for at least 40 days. I come back feeling even more inspired, refreshed, and with new perspective for my projects.
2. Create a playlist-music moves my soul. Rather if it’s the sultry mix of Anita Baker, classic soul of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder or just some west coast Nipsey or Mozzy. My playlist stays LIT! The lyrical content helps with my moods and releases inspiring thoughts. Try listening to WIN by Jay Rock
3. Exercise, Keep it Moving- I exercise about 6 days a week. This has definitely helped my mental health. What I find so amazing is the amount of inspiration you can create through body movement. You can also exercise your natural right by “keeping it moving” when negative situations affect your inspiration. Have you ever just tried people watching while on a trail or in the gym? You should try it during your next workout and tell me if you found some inspiration.
4. Pray- There is so much power in prayer. I am not even sure how much more I need to describe. I will say there is no right or wrong way to do this though. God just asks us to talk to him. I think when you take time out to seek God first and even ask for inspiration directly he will answer your prayers.
In the end, true inspiration is not the collection of inspiration, but the application of it. People think that if they keep watching TED Talks, browsing books, read articles, meet people, or look up in the sky for it to fall then they suddenly are going to get inspired. The truth is, inspiration is something that comes from inside and then you cultivate it to see what it may produce. So if you are you willing to start the voyage of discovery into unknown lands and rediscover yourself, if you are willing to experience some short-term pain and discomfort so that you can later experience real inspiration, you will be able to do what you love and be successful at your career and other future endeavors!
I leave you with this:
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.” – Helen Keller
Today, I challenge you to place your attention on what others don’t see. There are flowers, hope, rainbows, light streaming through the air, light rising from the curtains, people who smile back ASPIRE TO INSPIRE!
