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.
