Archive for November, 2010

November 29th, 2010

Who Do You Want to Inspire in 2011?

{photo credit}

Time is going fast! It’s already December, which means just a month left to finish up your goals for 2010.

Have you accomplished them?

Did you even write them?

Set Goals for 2011

One of the things I try to stress in my weekly writer’s group is the importance of setting goals.

Why?

Because prior to writing them this past year, I had gone almost a decade without creating any, living by what felt “right,” and it pushed me farther and farther from the life I wanted for myself.

If you have BIG dreams, but have yet to figure out what it will take to get you there, now is the time to start finding out why.

We have just one month left in 2010. But that’s still 30 days. Thirty days to plan who you aspire to be and who you want to inspire in 2011.

My Biggest Regret

One of my biggest regrets and one I hear from a lot of older adults is that they didn’t do something sooner. If you’re putting a pause on your business idea because of fear, because of the belief that your idea or you are not good enough, skilled enough, etc., you are a doing a disservice to you and to the world. There is something unique about you and that gift doesn’t do anyone else good sitting stagnant, wasting away in a cubicle somewhere.

I regret not realizing this sooner and that I gave others the power to dictate and direct me through disbelief, discouragement and negativity.

If you are on the same path, break free and be your own person now. There’s still time. There’s still magic in the air, miracles around hidden corners and possibility everywhere.

Maybe you’ve forgotten. So let the upcoming new year remind you. Come back to yourself and your dreams again. You deserve it!

We’ll be waiting…

CategoryInspired Life | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
November 25th, 2010

This One’s for You!

For someone who is fanatic about inspiration and all things inspiring, the holidays are for you.

There’s no other time of year when hope seems possible and miracles feel like they might be right around the corner. And magic. And inspiration.

Maybe there’s no more Santa Claus when we’re older, but there’s still gifts wrapped up to be uncovered. They show up in new opportunities, moments of love, and lessons learn in unexpected situations. And they may not be dressed up in beautiful colorful paper either, but the jewel inside is no less shiny.

If you’re reading this, I can bet that you’re also on a journey to discover them. And it being THANKSGIVING DAY, I’m grateful that you’re sharing the road with me.

I’m also grateful for you.

Thank you for reading this newish blog and for giving me inspiration to write here every week!

I hope you’ll join me next week with new tips on living an inspiring life and finding inspiring markets for your work.

See you then and have an awesome Thanksgiving!

CategoryInspired Life | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
November 22nd, 2010

4 Features of Inspirational Writing in the Eyes of Two Young House Lovers

People are often turned off by “inspirational writing.” They take one look at writing on inspiring others and make the assumption that it’s all about religion.

But, it’s not.

As my elementary school teacher taught us, “To assume, makes an ass out of you and me.”

Inspiring writing can be religion oriented, but it doesn’t have to be.

What it is today is writing that can inspire action or positive change. It can also be about spirituality, anything from the new-age standpoint or simply writing that’s impassioned by your dreams and goals.

How many blogs/articles have you read that talked about something that inspired you, but had nothing to do with religion?

I’m a big fan of home decor blogs and Young House Love is one of my favorites. They never talk about religion or spirituality, but they are inspirational (as their thousands of commenters attest to every day).

1. Living the Dream. They are inspiring because they are living the dream that most of us wouldn’t dare to-doing something they love and making money for it. They work as full-time bloggers writing blogs on designing up their own home as well as others DIY themselves and for affordable prices.

2. Being down to earth. This may not be a mandatory feature of inspiring others. But being relatable definitely helps. People want to read what you write and imagine themselves in your shoes. And when they do, they feel inspired to do amazing things. In general, it’s their humility and humble nature that makes us think that anyone can do what they’re doing (even non-DIYers) and inspires them to be just as great. That to me, is inspiring!

3. Taking big risks. I’m always impressed by how far these two young house lovers go. They never rest too long in their laurels. Although they were successful with their first house, they didn’t just stop there. They sold it and got a new one. This may not sound risky to you. But imagine if your home was your biggest investment-both in time and money and was THE primary source of your income. Would you risk selling it? Would you risk not to?

4. Positivity is catchy. No matter what goes on in their life, John and Sherry are positive peeps and positive posters. This means failed DIY projects, a missed opportunity on The Oprah Show and a cease and desist letter didn’t get them down. And there were no negative angry posts either. People who are positive may not inspire great outbursts and picketing peeps. Then again it might. Their huge fan base were upset enough to back up their favorite DIY duo. If it is anything, inspirational writing is positive. Providing a good example for your readers is what may inspire them to become more positive in their own life.

These are just four ways you can inspire others. By being positive in the words you use, how you approach challenges in your life, taking big risks that others want to aspire to, living the life of your dreams and being humble are some ways you can inspire others with your words. Are there others?

Have you read anything lately that really inspired you? I really want to know. Please share them below.

CategoryInspiring Others | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
November 19th, 2010

Friday Inspirations

{*Photo of what I packed for our train ride from Paris to London. I’ve got all I need here. Sunglasses, bottled water, an old and a new book, my iPod and a bag of chocolate covered ginger.}

Friday is for reviewing the week. Preparing for the weekend. Taking off layers of work clothes and sliding into something warm, cozy and free.

Oh don’t you love Fridays?!

The unwinding of too wounded up days. The looking forward to moments to linger, refresh and recharge for the upcoming week?

There is so much hope and inspiration for Fridays. So I’d love to end this week with a few things that are inspiring me:

1. The Funnies a.k.a. Martha Beck. If you’re not following her on Twitter of fanning her on Facebook, you’re missing out. She’s got the kind of stuff that’ll make you really laugh out loud. (Not just say LOL with a minor giggle.) She also has a knack for finding the most adorable videos. Check out this one, for example:

2. Nature envelops me. Who doesn’t love nature? I love being surrounded by trees and flowers and am inspired constantly when I’m around them. In fact, it’s my inspiration for my photography gallery on imagekind. Here’s a peak at one of my favorite flowers. {I sell a different version on my site for $10.44, but in general this red hot flower gives me goosebumps!}

3. A mug of something warm and sweet. I may be a sweetaholic. And when it’s nice and cold out like the weatherman’s predicting it’ll be, there’s just no better time to sip in moments of warmth and memories.

What about you? What inspires your inner creative soul to soar?

CategoryDaily Inspirations | Comment2 Comments »

Tags:
November 16th, 2010

What Are You Going to Be When You Grow Up?

In January 2008, I wrote something in my journal that surprised me.

It was the beginning of a new year. Instead of feeling hopeful and excited, I was lost and confused.

Where was my career going? How much longer was I going to stay at this 9-5 job? Would I ever be a writer?

It surprised me because I don’t remember feeling this way.

On The View, Joy Behar said that she was jumping from job to job until she finally pursued her real dream of being a comedian at age 40.

Then, I remembered. I too, have been on that path. And I’m so grateful to be able to write about it.

What Are You Going to Be When You Grow Up?

I was as confused and lost for most of my life. Even as a child, I would constantly change the answer to the question, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” First, I said waitress. Then, cashier. After both of my parents balked at my low paying choices, I later developed a desire to make fake food (like I saw in restaurants). I figured that in addition to the fact that I loved food and being creative, the people who made them must be scientists so I was sure they’d make tons of money.

In college, I switched my major multiple times. I went from being a business major (because I thought that was where the dough was) to being an environmental scientist (because I wanted to help the environment) to finally giving into my true desire of being a writer (with a BA in English).

I struggled with being who I thought my parents and society wanted me to be (financially wealthy and successful) with who I felt I truly was (people driven and a writer).

When I thought back to my early years, I can remember enjoying two things with fervor and obsession-reading and writing.

When I was bored, I created my own newspaper. I interviewed family members and sometimes did so on a toy tape recorder. I typed out stories of a leaky faucet or a rainy day on a typewriter my grandmother bought me. I posted poems on my walls as a kid. And I looked forward to the days that I got a new book.

It took me two decades to RE-member what I always knew. My dream job is to write and inspire others by doing so. Thank goodness I finally rediscovered my true calling. My only regret? That I didn’t trust my instincts sooner.

What were your aspirations as a child?

Can going back to your early roots help you uncover your own deep, unconscious desires?

Try it and see what happens. You may reveal a key ingredient to pursuing the life of your dreams.

Hi there! Glad you stopped by!

You’ve found one of my blogs on everything inspiring.  I also have one on writing and freelancing tips for new writers and entrepreneurs here. If you are in search of a writer to get all of your words in order, I’d love to work with you!

I am a published writer, blogger, and copywriter that can help you with all of your writing needs. You can find out more about me here.

You can also sign up for my RSS feed, join in the conversation on Facebook or tweet me @2inspired. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks for finding me!

CategoryBeing Authentic | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
November 9th, 2010

Trying to Inspire Others? Look Within

I’ve always been obsessed with inspiring people. Hence, this blog and the ones before it. It’s why I seek out inspirational people for interviews, why I can’t stop reading inspiring books and the reason for my Twitter name @2inspired and Facebook page. You can say it’s my passion. I live to be inspired by others.

But in my quest to be inspired, I’d never expect to be an inspiration to others.

Well, sure I want to inspire others to change. But like this famous couple said, they live an “inspired life” versus an “inspiring one.”

It’s a subtle, but meaningful difference. It’s not just about being humble and sincere. But the belief that we’re just ordinary people, with extraordinary lives or something along those lines.

I feel the same exact way. There’s nothing really inspiring about me. Or is there?

It’s a question I’ve been contemplating lately after I got an email from someone who wanted to interview me. After passing it off as spam (because why would anyone want to talk with me about being inspiring?) a second email finally hit me. It’s real!

It reminded me of a friend who once told me I didn’t realize how inspiring I was and that there were people who wished they had my life. It got me thinking:

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE OUT THERE DOING THE SAME THING?

You’re afraid of taking a leap and falling heart first into your dreams. And what’s keeping you from doing so is that you don’t truly believe you have anything unique to offer the world. So you give your business half-ass attention instead of a kick-ass one.

Symptom:

You get stuck on a certain project your working on. You can’t finish your about us page or you give up on applying for a job you really really want. You have a business, but you can’t seem to inspire others to take the steps toward a call to action.

Solution:

Imagine you are the person who inspires you most. If you’re a writer, write a bio for your client (yourself). If you’re an artist, create something hero worthy. As a teenager when test anxiety hit, I’d pretend I was someone really smart and confident and then I’d ace the test. See yourself the way you see the people you admire most and you may discover your own inspiration within yourself.

For me to do the interview (which I am doing and will give you the details soon!), I needed to step outside my own situation and remember who I was and where I came from. When we get too caught up in where we have yet to travel, instead of where we have already been, we lose sight of the valuable lessons along the way.

I’m constantly surprised when the writer’s group that I started generously commends me for the writing that I have had published. I could easily and have pushed those compliments aside. After all, I have so much more I need to do and am far from my writing goals. But then I remember how far I have come in a year and in my lifetime and then I can embrace where I have been and have compassion for all those who are attempting to travel on that same road.

Like you. Are you there too?  Look within for the answers.

Hi there! Glad you stopped by!

You’ve found one of my blogs on everything inspiring.  I also have one on writing and freelancing tips for new writers and entrepreneurs here. If you are in search of a writer to get all of your words in order, I’d love to work with you!

I am a published writer, blogger, and copywriter that can help you with all of your writing needs. You can find out more about me here.

You can also sign up for my RSS feed, join in the conversation on Facebook or tweet me @2inspired. I’d love to hear from you! Thanks for finding me!

CategoryInspired Life, Inspiring Others | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
November 8th, 2010

Don’t Be Afraid of a Lil’ Rain

What did you do with your extra hour on Sunday?

I had BIG plans for it! I was going to go for a bike ride or dance my heart out in zumba. Either way I would definitely use the time to get in some extra exercise.

But then I slept late, missed the zumba class and woke up late to a rainy, not at all conducive for bike riding kind of day.

It was a disappointing way to start the Sunday I had been looking forward to all week. And nothing I planned and hoped for worked out the way I wanted it too.

As I stared blankly into space, wasting time worrying about how I wasn’t spending the time the way I wanted to, I ended up wasting the time I had now. So much for that extra hour right? I spent it worrying and replanning instead.

In Reflection:

But then I thought about how every so-called disappointment in life actually led to an opportunity to something better than was expected. The moments that I didn’t get the job I wanted, for example, or the trip that ended up being a flop, those disappointments ended up opening the door to greater life lessons than I had planned. One job down the drain left space for the right one to come along later. And the vacation that I wanted to be the best one yet ended up teaching me about the importance of appreciating the every day, instead of waiting for permission to enjoy myself on holiday. It made me refocus my business, put less pressure on myself to succeed, and helped me to be grateful for the opportunity I was getting to rebuild my career. Instead of obsessing about where I wasn’t yet and comparing myself with all the people who were, I saw the jewel in where I was right now.

It’s something I had forgotten as months have made the vacation a far away memory. But something that the rainy day and disappointment brought back.

Instead of having the joy of a blissful bike ride, I gained the time for self-reflection, rest and the ability to process my life. Yes, the first choice may have been more fun. But I can see how the latter opportunity has provided me just wanted I needed in this moment-a chance to pause, breathe and take inventory of my life. In seeing in that way, I realize there will always be another time for bike riding, but a life lesson like this only comes when I take it.

So hooray for rainy days! Hope you’ll get your own soon.

CategoryInspired Life | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
« Older Entries