Seize the moment of inspiration
It hits you anywhere, often when you are relaxed. In the shower, driving, daydreaming, listening to music, right before sleep, a conversation with friends. Sometimes, it hits in the midst of brainstorming (IT IS A BRAINSTORM!), where your creative juices are already flowing, fueled by ideas flying through the air, waiting to picked like a handful of cherries. Particular places can spark it – sitting in front of your computer with a blank page, a walk by the lake, the backyard patio.
It hits and you are overwhelmed with excitement: “This is an amazing idea! It could change my life!” If you weren’t busy relaxing, you’d get up and write, paint, solve problems, change the world with great ideas…this idea. Difficult to even stay in your seat really, but first, you’ll finish the conversation, or at least your drink, then you’ll write it down. After all, something this vivid isn’t going away, right? The idea is far too astounding to be lost in the next couple of minutes…
But, minutes later, you scratch your head. Hmmmm. What was that again? As fleeting as a dream, it is gone – the magic faded, the momentum washed away. And even if you do remember, it just isn’t quite as enticing as it was before. Just a lingering feeling that it could have changed your world, or at least brought you more excitement, prosperity and joy.
Does this sound familiar? How often do you sacrifice the inspirations of your day to the gods of work, duty, boredom and laziness?
Of course, you can’t write a book or make millions NOW. There really are things that have to be done to manifest this inspiration from mind to matter. What you can do, though, is WRITE IT DOWN.
There is a method to that too – a couple of words will look just as dull a few hours later as if you didn’t record the idea at all. As best you can, capture in your note the feeling of the inspiration – the vividness, the image – as well as the mechanical details. What did you want to do or be and what words capture the feeling of it? Jot down as much as you can.
Then, don’t leave it hanging! Sure, if you’ve done your job when inspiration strikes, you might be able to recapture that idea and feeling months or years from now. Better than waiting that long is to at least allow it to fill you again before you go to bed, and the next morning when you get up.
Most importantly though, write it down NOW, when the moment comes, and let it keep on coming as you write. Be as complete and thorough as the moment allows.
Essential tools – a portable notebook and pen. Even better, a digital recorder – it’s faster and you can do it while driving. Maybe even from the shower if it’s close enough. The voice memo function on many cell phones is perfect, as long as you can one-touch it. Sometimes, even waiting for your word processor to open is enough time to lose the thought. You can always rewrite it later – just don’t miss it.
Carpe diem.
A little bit at a time
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”
Sometimes – much of the time – we think we have to get it all done right now. Organize everything. Lose a billion pounds, eat only greens, cut out sugar forever. Meditate for an hour, 3 times a day, forever. Find enlightentment by midnight (and thus enjoy the meditating). Heal all wounded relationships, past and present. And future. Earn a million dollars a day. Become an activist, save the planet and all of its people.
But, since that isn’t going to happen today, why bother? Especially since all you have is 15 minutes before … (what was it you were going to do?) And in that 15 measely minutes, what could possibly change? Lose 15 calories and do 10 situps? Eat a carrot after? Take a deep breath?
Yes. Do that. Even the tiniest thing can start to create some momentum to be the You that you want to be. And at the end of the day, when all you did was exercise for 5 minutes, celebrate it! You didn’t do that yesterday. It was new and different and, it was progress. And, you made it through the rest of your day too.
Want to do more than that tomorrow? Ok! Do it! AND, celebrate even the tiniest of today’s victories. Sure, it may not be where you want to be yet, but keep it up. You aren’t going to save yourself and fulfil our dreams in a day. Probably not tomorrow either. But you can start.
Resurrection: revive your life today
Spring is here! The first crocuses and daffodils are raising their plumes above the snow, tiny buds gather themselves to burst into life-gathering leaves, and people are beginning to go out without their coats – at least during the day.
Today, Christians celebrate Jesus’ rise from the dead – an event that allows them to someday return to life from death. Most world mythologies have similar stories of death, rebirth and renewal. Persephone’s annual return from the underworld heralds the coming of spring and fertility. Oestre, goddess of dawn (where Easter gets the name), also brings with her the fertility of spring. The fabled Phoenix consumes itself with fire and rises again from the ashes.
Such stories hold a promise of renewal that can happen right now! Why not take a look at your life and see what might need some new life? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Revive a dream or a passion: Life, the judgments of others,and self sabotage are just a few things that get in the way of our dreams. That inner voice that says “It’s too late and you’re too old” is just another version of that. Maybe you still want to be a ballerina, an astronaut, a fireman, an artist. What do you want to be when you grow up? Dust off one of those old desires, take a class, do some research, give it a little attention…and see where it might lead. Even if you find out it isn’t a passion anymore, at least you can clear space for a next adventure.
- Mending friendships and family relationships. Still feeling bad about that old fight with your best friend – how many years has it been since you talked? What about your parents, or that older sibling that was always mean to you? While it is true that you may never see eye-to-eye, or even like each other anymore, if it’s been bothering you, maybe it’s time to see if the fences can be mended. Or let it go for good.
- Health and fitness. Keeping your body strong, flexible, stress free, well-fed and well-hydrated is one of the best things you can do for yourself – and most likely, there is something you’ve been meaning to do. Why not schedule that massage, do a few crunches, try a yoga pose, take a walk, drink an extra glass of water? Revitalize that part of your physical being that you might have neglected.
- Try again! We all fail – over and over. And we beat ourselves up about it. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important or shouldn’t be done. Only this time when you get back up, give yourself a break, laugh about the struggle, and see if you can think of a new way to solve the problem. If it’s been around this long, chances are, it isn’t going away on its own – but a new approach could make all the difference.
Remember, take everything one step at a time. Even if you need a complete overhaul, it isn’t all going to happen today. But it can definitely start today. What will you do?
Go easy on yourself
Some days, nothing goes right. Nothing gets done. You feel angry or lethargic or sad. The very thought of happiness is foreign – an impostor. Everyone hates you. You can barely stand yourself. Life sucks. You can’t make decisions, do your job, or even be nice.
Days like this just happen. Consider them part of the cycle of living. A bit of bad beef perhaps. A day of raging hormones. Some unacknowledged anger or disappointment. New Year’s resolutions that haven’t gone anywhere…yet.
Don’t let it to get to you. Accept this moment in your cycle. Watch a movie, eat some comfort food. Write in your journal. Drink water. Give yourself a little love. And when that brighter moment comes, seize it and try again.
Superfoods for a new you
Food should taste good. We have so many options, so many ideas on what and how to eat for a better, healthier life. With all that information, it can’t be that hard to find something enjoyable AND good for you.
The hard part is allowing the change. Perhaps you like extreme measures and a gag reflex to think you are eating a proper diet. Or maybe, you could ease your way into greater health starting with things you enjoy, experimenting with foods you aren’t sure about.
Lists like this one on Oprah are fabulous – 25 superfoods. Some that will entice you immediately (dark chocolate anyone?) and others that might need a little time. And, recipes! Sure, you might like sardines, but what do you do with them? If you’re looking to improve your diet, you’ve got to start somewhere.
The problem with Oprah’s article is wading through the entire slideshow to get them all. Luckily, one blogger translated it into a list. I would encourage you to browse the images and advice on the slideshow first. Then, when you’re ready to print a copy for the fridge, try the other link.
Auspicious New Year’s moon and manifesting your dreams
AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella
Did you notice the full moon on New Year’s Eve? She seemed so crisp, white and sensual, hiding behind a thin mist of clouds. In some parts of the world, the shadow of the earth crept over her face in a soft caress.
Some astrologer’s think an eclipse and a full moon is a pretty potent sign for the New Year – and new decade. Supposedly, our hopes, dreams and resolutions hold a little more oomph than they do on regular old New Year’s Days. Luckily, the energy of such auspicious beginnings doesn’t fade too quickly, but if you want to take advantage of the moon’s blessing, you’ll want to make those resolutions right away!
If you haven’t already, give yourself a little time today to embody your hopes for the next year. Go big, but with plenty of leeway. Focus on how you want to feel, what you want to do, and the first small steps on how you want to get there. You don’t have to plan everything! Once you get moving on your chosen path, the little details fill themselves in – just keep your eyes on the end and flow with the journey.
Check out this fabulous post by Seth Godin, renowned marketer and best-selling author. It talks about looking back and realizing the opportunities missed by not taking a few risks…and about embracing your dreams in the future – or at least, having fun in the process.
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