INSPIRATION FOR LIVING JOYFULLY!

Posted on June 03, 2010 by Cathy Webb, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.

INSPIRATION FOR LIVING JOYFULLY!

(OR WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM CHILDREN AND DOGS?)

An inspired life is a creative life. It is a life that is ever-evolving. It means being impulsive and spontaneous some days. To become more creative, we sometimes must disconnect ourselves from doing things. We must practice the art of doing nothing, so that our creative juices can flow. This is a tough lesson for most of us. We are always busy and if not physically busy, our minds are already out there planning our next move. We need energy to create. To get energy, we need good sleep, restful naps, relaxation time, nutritious meals, sunshine, fresh oxygen and exercise. Follow your dog’s lead here. To become inspired and creative, we must close the door on our fears. We must not worry about what others will think or say. Children never worry about what others think of their artwork or their songs or dances. They are proud of whatever it is they have completed. They laugh uncontrollably, spin till they’re dizzy, and fall down….all without a moment’s thought as to how they look or what anyone else thinks. That’s the idea….unconditional joy! What are some joyful activities that you can use right now to inspire you? Try a little bit of cloud watching. Lose yourself in those fluffy shape-shifters, just like you did as a child. Climb up to a higher level and look at the world with a different perspective. Take a walk or a ride through the quiet countryside and take a few moments to contemplate what you are seeing. What are other places where you could become inspired? Perhaps by the side of a river or pond, walking on the beach, hiking up a mountain trail, taking a scenic train ride, sailing over water, looking out of your own bedroom window, strolling through a garden, riding on a tractor, looking at the faces of passersby from a sidewalk cafe, sitting alone in a chapel….the choices are limitless. Your soul craves variety, so experiment and find out what works best for you.

The flip side of inspiration is the wild, energetic aspect….the dog jumping in the air and spinning child type of activity. As we get older, we do not allow ourselves to participate in some very enjoyable activities. Why? Because it wouldnÂ’t be dignified….it wouldn’t look right…people might think we’re nutty or insane. Who cares? When the end of our life arrives….and we never know when that could be…will it matter that someone we knew or didn’t know thought we were silly? NO, it wont matter a bit. Give yourself permission to dress in clothing that expresses who you are, listen to music you enjoy, dance when it suits you, decorate your home the way that pleases you, throw your arms up in air and shout, “I can do and be whatever I want!” Surround yourself with your favorite things: books, music, games, paints, clay, beads, artifacts, flowers…..whatever brings you pleasure, enriches your being and comforts you. Involve yourself in having fun. Do you remember the days when you’d play so hard and for so long that you lost track of time completely and fell asleep the moment you reached your bed? It can happen again! When is the last time you sat under a tree to read, to write or to dream? Do it again! Dogs and children can create a reason to celebrate out of most anything. Our dog jumps through the air and bounces about the house and yard joyfully after doing her business outdoors. She feels great and she wants the rest of us to jump and play too! Children will celebrate all kinds of things. A sand castle completed, a coloring book filled with their artful strokes, making their bed by themselves, finding a cricket or a frog….these are tremendous reasons to celebrate as far as they are concerned. Bring out the punch and cookies…..we’ve got a jar full of fireflies to light up the night! Do you understand how to get inspired? We have a lifetime of memories to build on and to create for ourselves. It’s a matter of developing the right perspective.

“Oh no, it’s raining!”

“Great! I can splash in a puddle, use my new umbrella or enjoy the cool drops falling on my face.”

“The oven isn’t working.”

“Great! We can make soup and sandwiches for dinner, or go out for a gourmet meal.”

“We have to stand in this long line and wait.”

“Great! We can practice relaxation techniques, make a new acquaintance, or plan the dinner menu.”

Inspiration involves an attitude change. It doesn’t always happen quickly. It may take practice. You can do it.

Developing your taste for adventure is also necessary. Dare to change. As we change, our world changes with us. Can you imagine the implication of this? If each one of us changed bravely for the better, the world would follow along! Now that’s inspiration!

Have you ever seen a dog trip or a child fall down? Dogs never care who’s watching, they just bounce back and continue with their plan, wagging their tails all the while. Children will usually not even cry when they trip or fall while playing, unless they see someone is watching them. If they do cry, they quickly get the attention they need for their wounds or self-esteem and they go right back to their activity. Adults who trip or fall will play the scene in their mind over and over. They will be ashamed and will probably not resume the activity they were involved in at the time. It is a daring thing to stand back up and continue on.

Creativity, inspiration, fun, joy, bliss….it’s not just for other people. It’s for you. Be courageous and claim yours. Let me know what happens. I’ll probably be outside spinning around or looking at clouds…..and yes, I’ve been known to fall down a few times in full sight of other adults. I got up and kept on going. You can too!