INSPIRATION

Defined as….

That feeling inside you that makes you want to try new things. It gives you hope inside and makes you see the world differently. If it’s powerful enough, it can persuade you to do anything. Sometimes the person who inspires you could be a political figure, or a celebrity or even your parents. It could be anybody. Or Anything.

Inspiration. I believe it is a crucial element of day to day living life. Life with flavor, that is. Without it? Life dries up. But you know what? I think we need to be intentional about letting it into our lives. It is there…waiting. All around us. We just need to see it. Recognize it. And allow it.

INSPIRATION.

It’s a BEAUTIFUL thing.

Here is what inspires us today….

1. KATHLEEN – I recently came across the most inspiring magazine – DARLING: the art of being a woman. It’s full of short articles ranging from tips on having a summer picnic to discussing the essence of what it means to be a woman and the articles are accompanied by the most amazing and inspiring images. I could spend hours paging through this thick magazine. It’s really more of a large book than a magazine. This is now at the top of my ever-growing wish list :)

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2. ANNA – A couple weeks ago my eight-year-old niece told me she was saving up for a project and wanted me to guess how much she needed.  I said $10. “No,” she said, “more like $1353. I was shocked. I couldn’t imagine what she could possibly need all of that money for. She went on to explain that she wanted to buy some items for poor people in other countries: a milk cow, several chickens, three water filters and so the list continued. She was committed to not buying anything for herself until she was able to provide these people with all the supplies on her list. Needless to say, I was inspired in a couple of ways. First, it reminded me that you are never too young to dream big dreams and set big goals. Secondly, it made me want to open my eyes to the numerous needs surrounding me rather than getting stuck always focusing on meeting my own desires. We’ll have to wait and see how long it takes her to accomplish this crazy big goal (she only earns about $5 a week). Maybe in the meantime we can come up with some crazy big dreams of our own.

3. ANDREA – The scent, the sounds, the colors. The ocean….all of it. Sigh….

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4. CHAR – Sunlight. It dances, it sparkles. It may be low and soft or bright and brilliant. It is warm and soothing. It makes us feel good. It changes constantly throughout the day…but it is always beautiful and happy. I watch sunlight. Notice it. See it. Thank God for it. It inspires me to run, take a picture, travel, and go on a picnic.

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5. GRACE – Weslie from LOVE CHUGS inspires me in many ways… her impeccable style, great tips and tricks for your hair and makeup, and her way of making motherhood and being a wife look fun and effortless and how she makes having a family look like the coolest thing you could ever do in life.

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6. MARGOT – Right now I’m inspired by all things British. From Jane Austen to Downton Abbey and Kate Middleton. I love the literature, I love the accents, and I love the style.

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7. KAREN – My new running sneakers are giving me a little extra inspiration to keep getting up for those morning runs and to continue doing my speed training so I can beat my last half-marathon time.

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8. JUSTINE – Airports inspire me. Knowing that everyone has a destination some near and some far, traveling for all different reasons. Being in a place surrounded by people from around the world really inspires me.

 

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?