Seeking Inspiration in the midst of Obligation
Finding inspiration in life’s obligations, expectations, and requirements is not always the easiest thing to do, but it’s worth the effort. What does that look like?
Let me repeat that…. SEEKING INSPIRATION IN THE MIDST OF OBLIGATION! *whenever possible!
Easier said than done. In this life we are living, I’m certain that we all have obligations that must be fulfilled on a daily basis, whether to our family, education, or work. Finding inspiration in those obligations, expectations, and requirements is not always the easiest thing to do, but it’s worth the effort. So, what does that look like?
Inspiration - Feels like a hard YES from the inside out! You don’t have to think too hard to make a decision on doing something, participating, moving, or being. It just feels good, an easy choice even!
Obligation - Usually, this is an expectation from the outside. An expectation that I’m supposed to, I should, or I have to. Whew! I have a lot of situations that feel like this, and it can be tiring and overwhelming.
With that all being said, as often as possible, I’m SEEKING inspiration! Let me share a few ways we can transform everyday tasks of obligation into moments of inspiration.
Make a personal connection
There are situations on the daily in which we are making business decisions, whether you own your own business or patronize a particular business on a regular basis. These interactions can become mundane and very checklist-y at times. Slow down and take a moment to ask how the individual started their business or what motivates them to continue doing what they do. There are lessons to be learned and insight to be gained by sharing our stories with one another.
Practice mindfulness during errands and chores
Make sure this is done safely… meaning do NOT attempt deep meditation while driving, but rather, you can engage in quick breathing exercises while sitting in traffic or at a long stoplight, even during a wait at a doctor’s office. Have you ever practiced or tried breathwork exercises? I cannot express enough the benefits of this practice. By practice, I mean the continued effort and commitment to carving out time to take care of your body and mind. The benefits can positively affect your life physically, emotionally, and mentally. If ever you need some help in getting started or simply have some questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, as I am a Certified Breathwork Coach and happy to help you. Other activities might include acknowledging 3 things you are truly grateful for while you wash dishes or fold laundry. While these tasks can become cumbersome, reminding yourself of the blessings of having the food you ate on those dishes, along with having clean water that washed that huge pile of laundry you’re folding.
Take the long way home
This is my favorite, possibly because I grew up in a very small town in Oklahoma and we always took the long way home because that was the often the only way! So now, when at all possible, I do the same. It relieves some of the anxiety that comes up from back-to-back traffic, never-ending brake lights, detours, etc. Taking the long way allows me to travel at my own pace, practice patience on my own terms, and arrive at my destination in a better state of mind.
Try new meals
Ahhh, yes… the ongoing task of planning dinner, every.single.day! Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m oh-so very thankful to be blessed with the budget, amenities, and food to make it happen; it’s just that I find myself dreading the importance of providing variety, acknowledging different tastes and dietary needs, and the prep that is required. So far, the ways I’ve been changing my mindset and seeking inspiration is by trying new (and easy!) recipes incorporating some of my family’s favorite foods & ingredients we already have on hand, along with plating our meals in special ways (using the “good dishes” now vs. saving them for special occasions, as every day we are alive is truly a special occasion). Those two tweaks have me beginning to feel excited again and looking forward to dinner time. Every day is different and presents its own scheduling challenges, but I’m moving in the right direction.
Find ways to make movement fun
I’d like to think that we all know the importance of exercise and movement. Even if you tend to “forget”, a good doctor will often remind you! As a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, this is one of my favorite job requirements… creating fun workouts for clients and myself. Motivation doesn’t always last, you have to have the proper mindset to continue forward when that happens… remembering your why, some might say. Think less about the necessity to exercise and more about living a longer happy & healthy life! Skip the gym, if that’s what you need to do; instead, go for a walk in your neighborhood, work in your garden, or join a dance class. Remember, before beginning a new or increased exercise program, always check in with your doctor. I’m certain that in most cases, they will be more than happy you are taking the initiative to care for your health. If you need some guidance, I’ve got your back!
Biggest Takeaways
Inspiration comes from within: you feel called, motivated, and energized by the choice. The “why” is most often a personal one. Obligation comes from outside: you act to meet expectations, rules, or duties, even if you don’t want to. The “why” is external, an expectation or requirement.
Will every day be a perfect balance between the two? Nope. But can we work towards choosing inspiration over obligation? Yes! Just the act of being mindful of the difference between the two will help in our daily lives.
I hope this information will prove to be helpful for you. I’d love to hear from you! Until next time.
The Ongoing Journey of Self-Improvement
Truly, there is no greater work to be done than figuring out how to be our absolute best as human beings. Think about it…
Did you know that September is National Self-Improvement Month?! I had a general knowledge of the occasion, but had never taken the time to be intentional about sharing with others what that may look like for us. Of course, we all would like to improve within certain areas of our own lives… maybe we have even set routines or habits into place to achieve a particular level of improvement.
There are several self-improvement “gurus”/experts around the world holding seminars and webinars on the topic. You cannot walk into your local bookstore without finding a display table full of the latest and greatest techniques to put into action. And while those are all well and good, what really matters the most is what you do with all of that information. Just like anything in this life we are living, we have to put in the work! Truly, there is no greater work to be done than figuring out how to be our absolute best as human beings. Think about it… whether you are functioning in the role of a parent, spouse, employee, friend, employer, etc., you should operate from some level of knowledge, expertise, willingness to learn, and love for what you are doing. And that’s just on a base level. If you want any advanced level of success, it will take ongoing effort on your behalf to grow and keep up with increased demand and advancements in any particular field you happen to engage in.
I should share, in case you didn’t know (*wink), I’m no expert in self-improvement! Shocker, right?! Ha! I’m a work in progress! Also, I just so happen to be a continuous life-long learner looking for ways in which to improve myself, FOR myself and FOR others. So, that’s where we will start! I just want to share four ways that I strive to achieve ongoing self-improvement. Prayerfully, you learn something from me and will then also share what currently works for you.
Get enough rest - Proper rest could mean the amount of sleep you get at bedtime, but also taking rest breaks during your daily activities. Rest allows your body and mind to reset and refresh, preparing for the next task/activity. Imagine what you could achieve if you were able to get your ideal amount of sleep each night. I cannot tell you what the proper number of hours you need, but the Sleep Foundation recommends that most healthy adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Study to become an expert - Whether it be your career, your passion, or your role in your family or friend circle, put in the work to be your best. I say “work”, but when you are doing something that you love, it really doesn’t feel like work. And when you do it well (whatever “it” may be), there' is a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with learning new skills and elevating yourself to a new level. This also includes surrounding yourself with like-minded people who have similar goals and aspirations. They are sometimes able to provide that forward momentum needed to assist on our journey.
Build your confidence - With the gaining of new skills, the increase in personal confidence often comes. However, we shouldn’t rely solely on whether or not we are able to achieve an expertise level. There are a ton of factors that come into play when studying to become an expert, specifically the fact that it can take TIME… possibly an undeterminable amount of time. So, instead of waiting, we’ve got to find other ways to improve confidence. Let’s explore how….
Pay attention to your appearance - Presenting yourself in a clean and neat manner can make a huge difference in how you feel and how others receive you.
Practice positive self-talk - Remind yourself of your strengths and your goals through the reciting of, and journaling of, positive affirmations.
Stop comparing yourself to others - Remember: comparison is the thief of joy! We want ALL the joy! Your journey is yours, and yours alone. When we look at others, we are often only seeing a snippet of their full life’s story. Therefore, we should keep our focus on ourselves… there is plenty of work to be done within that requires our time and attention.
Pray and try meditation - For me, prayer allows me to remember that I’m not alone, and it also requires me to be accountable outside of myself. I find answers, insight, guidance, and love in my relationship with Jesus. Meditation can also play a helpful role in grounding ourselves. I prefer guided meditation, because sometimes my mind is moving so fast with the day’s tasks and responsibilities, that I’m unable to slow down enough for it to be beneficial. With guided meditation, clear direction is provided with oral instructions about body posture, breathwork, imagery, and visualization. It’s very helpful to take 3-15 minutes to focus before continuing your day, hopefully with an improved mindset and calmer disposition.
My wish is that these four insights aid in your journey to self-improvement. And while September is designated as a time for this focus, don’t let the work you do for yourself stop on September 30! Keep moving forward, keep doing your individual best. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, but it’s definitely a start. Take what you need and add what currently works for you. So many forces in this world have the potential to negatively affect our wellbeing, so we must stay consistently focused on improving ourselves so that we can pour positivity into our environment… locally and beyond!