INSPIRE

Dear Friends,

Wowza! The world has changed. Your life is so different. There are so many uncertainties. My clients are saying the same words, “I just don’t know”. Right. And, isn’t that the theme for the whole world right now?

I have been thinking lots about how to negotiate my own experience of being isolated for over a month now. I have been a widow for 10 years and it is just me and my three dogs existing within the four walls devoid of life before Covid-19.

Somehow, I have come to think of this time as being on retreat. My typical world belongs to a month ago. The new typical has seen a range of emotions. Lonely, sometimes. Uncertain, often. A little bit depressed once in a while.

But, as a life-long learner, I found a beautiful online class to feed my soul. It doesn’t even matter what the class is about. I was able to join with 700 people from all over the world to gather and learn and share. As a result, I mostly feel inspired.

Without this pandemic, I would not have had the time to participate in something that gives me so much joy and lets me feel exhilarated. Yes, I do have uncertainty, financial issues, isolation, and loneliness.

And, I am also so inspired. So, I’ve come up with some thoughts about the word itself. I hope this word touches you in some significant way.

I hope you find inspiration in this midst of terrible times.

INSPIRE

I

The letter I remind us that “I” am responsible for my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions. I need to attend to myself and create an internal climate that will let me be open and receptive to those around me and to whatever happens. I need to take care of myself first.

N

The letter “N” reminds us to nourish ourselves. Have you considered what things actually replenish you and give you a feeling of well-being? We are often so distracted by life’s obligations that we don’t even know the things that give us pleasure in life. Taking a walk. Having a long, hot bath. Reading a really good book. Doing yoga. Cooking. Plugging into the things that put you in a good frame of mind will change your demeanor and make you more available to see the wonder in life. Make you more available to the people in your life.

S

“S” stands for the word smile. Did you know that a simple small smile can change your brain chemistry? Smiling changes the muscles in your face. The muscles signal to the nerves in your face, your neck, and your brain that you are content and pleased. Those nerves turn off the flight/fight response in the brain. You do not need the chemicals of adrenalin and cortisol to be activated. Instead, the parasympathetic nervous system engages and releases oxytocin, the chemical of relaxation.

If you practice wearing a small smile throughout the day, you can actually change your life because you will be fully relaxed and approachable. Your heart will be open and you will not be reactive.

Sometimes, people write a small letter “S” on their index finger in ink, just to act as a reminder to smile. 

This suggestion comes with a guarantee to improve your internal climate and your external world.

P

“P” reminds us to be fully present to what is happening in the here and now.  This present moment is the only moment we have. If you are examining and perhaps regretting the past, you are losing this precious moment. If you are worried about the future, you are losing this precious moment. When we are fully present and in the here and now, we are truly experiencing the best that life has to offer. In the present moment, there is peace and tranquility. No regrets. No worries.

I

This “I” refers to the word inquire. Once we have taken care of ourselves and nourished ourselves we are more able to look out at the world and ask, “Where can I be of assistance?”. It is my belief that we are all here on

Earth to help each other. We are here to individually and collectively create a better world for ourselves, for our neighbors, for our world, and for all beings. Ask yourself, “What are my talents?” “Where can I make a small difference in my community?” “What causes and charities are near and dear to my heart?”

It is so important to inquire, “What can I do?”

R

The letter “R” tells us to Reach Out. After you have done the inquiry, the next step is to reach out to any organization, neighborhood group, charity, or cause you to believe in. Tell them you want to get involved. Start a group yourself to help teach reading. To collect trash from the street. To start a Little Free Pantry, a Little Free Library. Knit, sew, craft for the benefit of a homeless shelter. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Write letters to prisoners. Reach out.

E

The last letter, “E” is for engagement. Engage with your own intellect, your own empathy, your own talents, and then engage with the larger community in some way. It takes a village to live a life and we all need to engage in practices that make our families, our communities, and our world a better place. We cannot sit alone. We are all part of a great collective of peoples all over the world. Just engage in one activity and you can change the world.

And remember the words of Mother Teresa, It is not about doing great things.  It is about doing small things with great love.

Inspire

Inspire starts with “I”

Inspire means nourishing ourselves

Inspire can begin with a smile

Inspire  requires us to be fully present

Inspire encourages us to inquire

Inspire helps us reach out

Inspire reminds us to engage

I cannot wait to hear about your experience with the concept of INSPIRE.

Please let me know your thoughts. You are an important part of this world.