Inspiration

Inspiration can be found anywhere and in anyone.  All you need to do is be open to it and to let it in. Find it and let it lead you to new heights.

Determination Personified

Today I was inspired by a young lady that is new to the High School's tennis team.  She played her first varsity doubles match ever.  Though she is new to the game, she fought like a lioness, her determination fierce, her concentration deep, and her focus constant throughout the whole match (literally!). Very impressive!  As an added bonus, the girls ended up winning the match!

Giving it your all, doing your best is what life is all about.  With that kind of determination there is simply nothing that can possibly stand in your way.  Whether you win or loose is not important in the end (though this young lady would probably disagree...  :)  ).  When you do the best you can, you are automatically a winner.  She was a true inspiration to all that watched her.  I know she was to me.

The look on her face is etched in my brain and will always be the personification of the word determination.  :)

Dennis Petersen

When you follow your heart and do what you love you never know where you might end up and how many people you will inspire along the way...  On October 13th, 2006, Dennis Petersen hiked Malan's Peak to celebrate his retirement and hasn't stopped since.  This Saturday he will be taking his 2,500th consecutive hike (for more details:  http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/08/13/2500-hikes-dennis-petersen-has-climbed-malans-peak-every-day-nearly-seven-years ).

Little did I know about any of this when I first met him on my first winter hike ever as he whirled by me almost 5 years ago.  He was super friendly and on a mission (obviously to climb the peak).  His presence and speed inspired me.  Though there was no way for me to keep up, I remember thinking:  I want to be like him when I grow up...  :)  Later that winter he was there, cheering me on, the very first time I "conquered" Malan's Peak.  He was so thrilled for me.  I will always cherish that as one of my fondest memories.

I have been hiking fairly regularly ever since and it has been a joy.  While I am still no where close to Dennis' speed, it is always fun to run into him and other fellow hikers.  No matter what though, he has always been one of my main inspirations when it comes to hiking.

As the article shows, I am just one of many he inspired.  It all started one day at a time (baby steps) and now it is an incredible achievement!  Congratulations Dennis!!!!

How To Use Mirroring For Your Growth

Whenever you are angry or upset do the following exercise to get to the bottom of your funk:

1. Write down what you are upset/angry about.  For example:  "She doesn't respect my time. She wants me to bail her out.  She is not taking on her responsibility."
2. Go back through all the statements you came up with and rewrite them in the first person.  Following the previous example: " I don't respect my time.  I want to be bailed out.  I am not taking on my responsibility."
3. Take a deep, cleansing breath and clear your mind.  Put whatever happened out of your mind and focus on yourself.
4. Read the "I" statements out loud to yourself.
5. Without judgment, ask yourself: "Where in my life am I doing this?"  For the example given this would mean: "Where am I not respecting myself?  Where do I want to be bailed out?  Where am I not taking on responsibility?"

Once you have your answer you will clearly know what to do in your life.  You will know where to put your focus.

People and situations are mirrors for you to learn from.  Be thankful for them and use/work them.

Note too that this exercise works for positive mirrors!!!  If you want to know what your strengths and positive aspects are, follow the steps above whenever you have something really great happen to you.  Everything you attract is your mirror.  :)

Block Dissolution

Sometimes when you are consciously working on a personal block you feel internal resistance.  There are different techniques you can use to work through such a block, such as breathing through it or visualizing its dissolution.

However when all your techniques don't seem to work, here is one more to try:  Invite the block to go with you into the area it is blocking.  Make friends with it, form a bond and partner up.  Reassure it of your good intentions and that you can get through it together.  Remember the block is there to protect you after all.  You created it for that purpose!

Give it a try.  Go on an exploration within with your new partner.  It works every time.  :)

Shift

While driving by a corn field today I noticed how every once in a great while one solitary corn stalk would be about a foot taller than the rest.  It struck me as a metaphor for the human race, how we are all at a similar evolutionary level (the corn being all the same height for the most part) but that there are individuals who are striving to reach a little further to be different and better (the taller, individual corn stalk).

Entering your inner journey and changing paradigms can be solitary and at times lonely.  It is not necessarily socially accepted and people are not often willing to share who they really are.  However, the more people experience this journey, the more love and understanding will rule everyday life to the point where the scales will tip and it will be common practice.  I, for one, look forward to that day and will do what I can to make it happen.  :)

Honor Yourself

Always remember the power of honoring yourself.  When you believe in yourself, when you become your biggest fan, when you love yourself enough to put your needs first (not in a narcissistic way, but in a "I am worth it.  I am as important as everyone else." way), when you live from your center, your view of the world will change as will your impact on the world.

By helping yourself first you learn what it really means to be there for others.  If you don't know what it's like to be there for yourself nor how to be there for yourself, how could you possibly be there for others?

If you are a person that likes and wants to help others, make sure you know how to give to yourself first.  Treat yourself with respect, be true to yourself, pamper yourself, honor yourself.