Ripples or Finding Inspiration

When you need to be inspired, where do you look?

Sometimes it is difficult to know where to turn when I need to be inspired,
or simply need a kick in the pants.
Oh don't get me wrong, my kids are a good source for
the 'kick in the pants' I often times need.
But I am talking about something that goes a little deeper than,
"mom, when are you going to start dinner."

How do I find the inspiration I need?
Where should I look for answers unknown?

I have found answers and insight in scripture, meditation,
other people's blogs, reflective readings, music, my family,
(on occasion from within)
and most recently in an email.

Some time in the past year I stumbled upon The Ripples Project.
http://theripplesproject.org/index.php

I don't remember exactly how I came across it, but I remember liking it.
I signed up for a weekly email,
it comes each Monday morning.
Its short and sweet containing 3 inspirational quotes on the same theme.
On a number of occasions it was absolutely perfect for what I needed to hear that week.

The Monday after my dad passed away, the quotes were perfect for me.
It was also right on yesterday after my weekend 'pity party'.
The quotes have been rolling around in my head for 24 hours or so, and
I thought I might share this week's reflections with you.

PEBBLE
Make visible what, without you,
might perhaps have never been seen!
-Robert Bresson

BOULDER
When you allow your best self
to shine through
and have the courage to believe
in unlimited possibilities,
you will discover how wonderfully magnificent
you truly are!
-written & submitted by Elizabeth Hyland, author of
"Surviving The Unemployment Roller Coaster"

PONDER
It may be time to take a deep breath and remind yourself that you really are, as Ms. Hyland states above, Magnificent.  And being Magnificent means that you cannot simply shirk in the shadows, nor can you collapse into a heap because you feel overwhelmed or defeated by the (real) challenges life is presenting to you lately.

Your colleagues, your neighbors, your community, 

and indeed everyone in the entire world desperately 

needs you to release your Magnificence this week.  

So take one more moment to catch your breath 

and then hop up, dust yourself off, 

and then give us your absolute best self.  

Please, and thank you.

Peace,

Paul

A couple of things that have captured my thoughts and inspired me about that email center around the idea that I can help others see things that might not have been seen otherwise. 
This happens all the time as a parent so I know this is true.
I also have to acknowledge that when I get self absorbed,
I am less likely to allow my best self to shine through.
In fact, I tend to retreat and not want to interact with others.

"you cannot simply shirk in the shadows, 

nor can you collapse into a heap 

because you feel overwhelmed or defeated"

Uh...
Yep.
That describes how I spent my weekend.
Maybe not in a heap, but certainly trying to hide and feeling defeated.

Thankfully I didn't stay there too long.

Monday morning came and I got back up again,
Submitted more job applications, cleaned the kitchen,
mailed the bills, bought groceries, worked on Laura's quilt and
got back to the business of life.

I am not sure I felt Magnificent,
but it felt great in comparison to the previous couple of days.

If I keep at it,
if I take one more moment to catch my breath,
Then hop up, dust myself off, and give it my
absolute best, then perhaps that Magnificent feeling will come
by the week's end, at at least it might come...someday.

At least I will feel better for trying.
I am always open to more sources of inspiration...
What inspires you?

Here is the link to another inspirational piece, this time a video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0wi1m-89o

Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me