Harriet Cabelly, LCSW
Therapist . Speaker . Author
In my last post, I shared a video and a man’s words that really moved , inspired, uplifted and touched me in a very profound way. I actually find myself using these descriptive words a lot lately. I seem to get inspired quite easily. That’s a good feeling.
I’m not sure if I seek these out or they just come to me. Probably a little of both. I certainly put myself in places and situations that produce these affects. Like the time I recently went to the documentary and dance of Musical Chairs, where people in wheelchairs were ballroom dancing; or when I go for my Sunday morning beach walks. Just watching those seagulls by the shoreline, taking off and flying low, their wings spread out right before my eyes; and then landing right at my feet in the sand, is pretty incredible.
This feeling of wow, or the ‘farklempted’ feelings of emotional intensity gets those juices flowing, is exhilarating and can put us in a mode of action. It can turn on that channel of productivity and engagement in what we love doing. It provides hope and a renewed positive feeling in the human condition. And this inspiration thing – it’s a wonderful teacher.
Inspiration moved me as recently as Saturday night, when I came home from seeing a somewhat difficult movie. Lots of heavy duty issues. But for me and what I find fascinating, it was a wonderfully transformative and redemptive film. I was so taken by it that I looked up the person about whom the movie was based and contacted him, asking for a blog interview. And he responded with a Yes! (Stay tuned – it will be out in an upcoming month.)
So yes, movies do it for me, books with transformative themes, stimulating conversations, speeches and tons more.
What does it for you? Where do you get your inspiration?
We all need inspiration to be creative, to produce and work effectively, to grow and learn and become better people; to live well.
And when those rare moments appear where we need something to move us, but can’t seem to access any (although now-a-days just going online can bring forth tons of material; there’s always the TED Talks) we can always return to our inside memory box and bring up some past inspirational times and go back there, visualize and feel those feelings once again. We can always get re-charged.
Having said that, there’s nothing like the real thing – the current elicitation of those soaring heights of inspirational endorphins to bring us back to the awesomeness of Life.
Here are some general ideas for putting some high-flying feelings into your life:
Service – helping others in a way that’s meaningful to you. It’s just as easy to do good as to do nothing and certainly feels good for all involved. Reaching out and initiating is a gift to the spirit, as well as to the other. The ‘pay it forward’ concept is simple and profound , and creates positive feelings all around.
Nature – get out in it. Walk, bike ride, picnic, bird-watch. Activates all your senses and can be soul-soothing, relaxing and invigorating.
Music – for the soul. Brings up all kinds of feeling states. Gets those sing-aloud happy ones going as well as the tears of joy and sadness.
Books, Movies, People – incredible stories of people making a difference, of overcoming and transcending struggles and difficulties.
Expression through the Arts – Actively engaging in any form, be it dancing, singing, acting, drawing; or being an observer at a museum exhibit, performance, can certainly bring those endorphins to a fluttery state. Live engagement with entertainment can be such an uplifting high.
Now go bring it on.
Please add to my list of ideas. I’d love to compile a growing list of things that move us to the core.
Thank you for stopping by and reading.
BTW – My Twitter button is tweeting the wrong handle. It probably won’t be rectified until I put up my new ‘stand alone’ site. I would greatly appreciate if you would remove the @Wordpress handle and substitute mine: @RebuildLife. Thank you.
A beautiful nature scene, a view over hills and valleys, coastal scapes, a sporting triumph against the odds, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve…
My Family, Words with a message that speaks to me, uplifting music…..these are some of the things that inspire me Harriet
Indeed every day is filled with Inspiration if you look hard enough
be good to yourself
David
Hi David,
Great list of uplifting things. And yes, everyday is filled with inspiration. Seek and ye shall find.
Seeing others being kind or making a difference inspires me!
Alex
Hi Alex,
A treat to see you at my blog!
Love your thought on seeing others being kind and making a difference. Thank you.
I love your list, Harriet. Taking pictures inspires me. If I look through my lens and see things from a new angle, it motivates me to do the same in my life. I am also rediscovering the joy of creating simply to create (not to prove myself or make money or please an audience with my creation). Always, always books and music. And kid stuff. Sometimes it’s nice just to blow bubbles or grab the sidewalk chalk or make a sand castle.
Hi Tara,
Great seeing you here again. Thanks for sharing. Love the concept of taking the new lens perspective and utilizing this new frame of reference in your life.
Yes, kid stuff is a great one for inspiration. It moves us to be more child-like, which is always refreshing and fun. It reopens us up to curiosity and that sense of excitement with the world.
Best to you.
Actually, you inspire me Harriet. This post is inspiring. So many other things, beauty, nature…love those chirping birds in leafy trees, children’s voices on the wind, music and harmony of all sorts, to name but a few. It would seem that I’m inspired by a variety of things…and I’m okay with that!
Encourage one another.
Elle.
Hi Elle,
Thank you for your kind words. And not to just say it back to you, but your posts are my daily morning piece of inspiration before I set out on my walk.
Yes, there’s so much out there for the inspiration. We just have to be open and receptive to it all.
What a lovely site, Harriet. For me, I would say that people inspire me. Through my interactions with individuals, I learn a lot about myself. The interactions that occur while going to the movies with someone, have lunch, playing scrabble, a cup of tea, working on a group project, hiking in the woods, crying together, standing on a long line in the cold, etc… offers me the opportunity to develop my own nature as I gain better understanding of how I relate to others in this world.
Hi Ajen,
NIce to ‘meet’ you. Glad you like the site.
Yes, you said it – People are truly inspirational. We can learn so much from others all the time as long as we’re open to it.
I love your list of ‘interactions’. I too get stimulated by those authentic and connected conversations, being out on a hike (which I love), playing games. I see we’re on a similar page.
Hope to ‘see’ you again. Best to you.
Glad I found this little corner! My inspiration is largely my son. He is 16 now but I still see him at all stages of his life through his smile. I was researching for my website and my Blogs and I stumbled upon this wonderful piece. I look forward to reading more of your words!
Hi What Inspires You,
Glad to ‘meet’ you. I looked at your site and see that you are doing wonderful work giving back to all kinds of important causes. Very interesting and unique site.
Our children are truly an inspiration.