a tickle of words to create smiles

Posts tagged ‘inspiration’

Mapping Yourself and Your Dreams

Yesterday, I talked about being the writer, director and producer of my life. One of the tools I use is a concept map. Concept maps are graphic organizers, which are visual displays of information such as a chart or a graph. Concept maps start with a central idea from which you expand outward. In this case, the central idea is me. I am the central point of the this map. Around me are all my needs, goals, intentions and affirmations for the day, week, and the months ahead.

Concept maps are great to use for defining an idea, creating an outline for a story, developing a timeline for a business. Concept maps can be made daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. For students, a concept map is a great tool for studying any topic, especially when the student generates his or her own concept map. A concept map displays a great amount of information on a single page. There are endless possible applications for concept maps. Consider using a concept map in defining you and your dream or planning your next project or event.

Inspiration

Inspiration. Feel your way and move into your inspiration.

Inspiration is an internal movement or feeling that drives people to do something of significance. It is a positive emotional state that gets people going because their hearts are in a happy stir. This is what gets a person to act on whatever their dream or goal may be. Inspiration can come from God, nature, meditating, people, events, music, movies, art, education… inspiration can come from anything especially if it something new to them.

Nature is one of the best sources of inspiration as everything in nature is balanced so beautifully. The cycle of life and the movement of energy in nature is wonderfully orchestrated, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Energy flows from the nutrients of the soil into the roots of plants and into the systems of animals. As animals pass waste (through their systems) or die, their wastes are broken down by bacteria back to the nutrients that are then returned to the soil.

Standing in the midst of such bustling activity is truly inspirational. As we approach the vernal equinox you can see evidences of spring awakenings as the apical meristems bud forward on every tree and shrub. The songbirds are returning and are starting to nest. The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer and so the inspiration flows.

Meditating and simply sitting in quiet can bring inspiration. After one is able to quiet his or her mind, then true inspiration from one’s inner wisdom will rise. For many, sitting in silence and allowing the mind to quiet down is quite a challenge. Soft, instrumental meditative music can be helpful, as one sits in a comfortable position and breathes deeply.

If there is too much noise in your head, a great activity to do first is to write all the thoughts that are floating around in your mind. You can also doodle these thoughts until you feel your mind grow quiet. Then, try meditating again. Another good way to meditate is to repeat one word or a sound in your mind or aloud softly, like “breathe” or “ohm”. There is not one absolute way to meditate; simply do what is best for you to get you into a quiet space. Sitting out in nature also helps many people to get to a quiet place in their mind so they can mediate and become inspired.

Conversations with others can equally be stimulating and inspirational. These conversations can be with like-minded people or with completely polar opposites, where there may be some debate. A person can gain perspective that way, even is he or she does not agree on an issue or topic. Brainstorming with others, especially where there is an intention or goal in mind, can be a very good source of inspiration and shift a person to act.

Inspiration can come from all forms or genres of music, art, movies and events. There are multiple sources of inspiration as long as you are open to them. Try doing something different and new like: a new beverage or food, a new activity or visit a new shop or café. Strike up a conversation with someone new. What is something you have wanted to try or do? What is stopping you to just try it? See if that inspires you. Some good questions to ask yourself are: What would I do if I had all the courage in the world? Who would I like to emulate and why? What would they do? What do I feel most passionate about? What brings a burning desire in my heart? What fires me up? What is my source of inspiration? Feel your way and flow into your inspiration.

A Hug

A hug is like ice cream or candy for the heart and soul! It is that delicious, warm and loving embrace that displays the affections of another compassionate and caring being. I feel that hugs are best when they are unexpected. Incoming…..surprise hug! Those really make my day!

Hugs do not have to be reserved for other people. You can wrap those lovely arms around yourself as well as others and squeeze! Go ahead. Go on! Do it right now!!! (((BIG HUG!!!))) You have been virtually hugged by me! (Big grin) How did it feel? Virtual hugs feel almost as good as the real thing.

Have you ever spontaneously hugged someone you do not know? I have. Those are the best because there are no expectations attached and because it was unexpected. That is what I call a double blessing. I challenge anyone who reads this blog to hug at least one person they do not know this year. Go on and be a hugger (and not a bugger).  Hugs! 

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