Here's a fun fact about me: I write messages to myself in the steam on the shower door and with a dry-erase marker on my mirror in the bathroom. Usually, I try to stick to words of encouragement or goals for myself. But today, the same word kept appearing. In the steam, on my mirror, and in my heart: INSPIRE.
The invisible subtext was something I often hear from my cousin, Sarah. "Be the change..." I know there is more to Ghandi's famous phrase, but today, that's all I heard.
It pushed me to reach out on Facebook and offer to try and inspire my friends and family. I often find that by reaching out to help others, I ususally end up helping myself the most. As soon as I hit enter of my FB post, I received a request for motivation. As I sat there, I realized I hadn't really thought this through.
What could I say that would inspire someone? How do you motivate someone in life?
As I pondered what I could say that might lift my friend's spirit, I decided to write as much for myself as for her, or anyone else. And then the ideas kept flowing...and suddenly, I felt better than I had in a long time. In that moment, in those moments, I was happy. And as it turns out, I still am.
I'm inspired to share my responses to Mary, Alex, Mike, Amanda and Steve as I am hoping that they will buoy your mood as much as it did mine.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
My message to Mary Tobin: Happiness is a choice. If you're having trouble making that choice for yourself, look around you and you'll find that smiles are contagious. Decide to be happy not just for you--but for everyone you encounter each day.
To Alex Glade: Alex, you inspire me every day. When you look at others, you see all of their good. You see the kindness in someone's eyes. You pick up on their gentle touch or their incredible strength. It's easy to find the good in others, but ignore the good in ourselves. When I see you, I see the most inspiring person I know. I see someone that stands up for what's right and laughs in the face of adversity. What makes your keen observations so wonderful is that you are not afraid to voice them. Never forget how far a kind word can carry someone. So say something nice--not only to those you meet, but also to yourself.
Mike Mills requested something in regards to patience: Patience is difficult, but the moments that are spent waiting for something to happen or someone to change are our chance to breathe. They give us a chance to take a mental snapshot of our lives--just as they are and embrace what each day offers. The challenges, the rewards--each of these are what keeps life exciting. When life asks you to wait, take the time to look around you and appreciate all the good that surrounds you. After all, you will never get another chance to live in that moment again. Enjoy it.
For Amanda Lowenberger, who is a brand new mommy (YAY!): There is nothing quite like seeing the world through a child's eyes. The wonderful thing about a child is they see the joy in everything around them. They take the time to stop and smell the roses--for this is a discovery to them. They do not know what a rose will smell like. We think we do, but each has a unique fragrance and if we are too busy or distracted to take the time to discover this, we may miss out on unimaginable joy. Today, as you look around you, marvel at this universe. Even the most mundane of things around us hold incredible potential. Appreciate the little things and you will appreciate life more than you thought possible.
And Steve Ruggiero, who wanted something to write on his mirror: One of my favorite things to write on my mirror is, "In this moment, I am happy." Every day is full of challenges and frustrations, but each day is also full of triumphs and joy. By declaring ourselves happy with each small victory, we can start to appreciate how great life is.
The invisible subtext was something I often hear from my cousin, Sarah. "Be the change..." I know there is more to Ghandi's famous phrase, but today, that's all I heard.
It pushed me to reach out on Facebook and offer to try and inspire my friends and family. I often find that by reaching out to help others, I ususally end up helping myself the most. As soon as I hit enter of my FB post, I received a request for motivation. As I sat there, I realized I hadn't really thought this through.
What could I say that would inspire someone? How do you motivate someone in life?
As I pondered what I could say that might lift my friend's spirit, I decided to write as much for myself as for her, or anyone else. And then the ideas kept flowing...and suddenly, I felt better than I had in a long time. In that moment, in those moments, I was happy. And as it turns out, I still am.
I'm inspired to share my responses to Mary, Alex, Mike, Amanda and Steve as I am hoping that they will buoy your mood as much as it did mine.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
My message to Mary Tobin: Happiness is a choice. If you're having trouble making that choice for yourself, look around you and you'll find that smiles are contagious. Decide to be happy not just for you--but for everyone you encounter each day.
To Alex Glade: Alex, you inspire me every day. When you look at others, you see all of their good. You see the kindness in someone's eyes. You pick up on their gentle touch or their incredible strength. It's easy to find the good in others, but ignore the good in ourselves. When I see you, I see the most inspiring person I know. I see someone that stands up for what's right and laughs in the face of adversity. What makes your keen observations so wonderful is that you are not afraid to voice them. Never forget how far a kind word can carry someone. So say something nice--not only to those you meet, but also to yourself.
Mike Mills requested something in regards to patience: Patience is difficult, but the moments that are spent waiting for something to happen or someone to change are our chance to breathe. They give us a chance to take a mental snapshot of our lives--just as they are and embrace what each day offers. The challenges, the rewards--each of these are what keeps life exciting. When life asks you to wait, take the time to look around you and appreciate all the good that surrounds you. After all, you will never get another chance to live in that moment again. Enjoy it.
For Amanda Lowenberger, who is a brand new mommy (YAY!): There is nothing quite like seeing the world through a child's eyes. The wonderful thing about a child is they see the joy in everything around them. They take the time to stop and smell the roses--for this is a discovery to them. They do not know what a rose will smell like. We think we do, but each has a unique fragrance and if we are too busy or distracted to take the time to discover this, we may miss out on unimaginable joy. Today, as you look around you, marvel at this universe. Even the most mundane of things around us hold incredible potential. Appreciate the little things and you will appreciate life more than you thought possible.
And Steve Ruggiero, who wanted something to write on his mirror: One of my favorite things to write on my mirror is, "In this moment, I am happy." Every day is full of challenges and frustrations, but each day is also full of triumphs and joy. By declaring ourselves happy with each small victory, we can start to appreciate how great life is.