Posts tagged ‘Inspirational blog’

November 30th, 2011

Daily Dose of Inspiration

I just returned from a much needed trip that unleashed several unexpected hot spots for inspiration. The kind of vacation that makes you re-think what’s truly possible in your life and that redefines your role in it. All in all, the travel of a lifetime. Have one of those lately?

I’m excited to share with you the details. But for now, check out this photo I took:

Can you guess where this was taken?

How about with my iPhone in a plane overlooking the sun setting on my way back to California? Guessed right or are you surprised?

It’s a great re-[mind]-er to me to stop, pause and really see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Sometimes we need to be up high to see what’s glowing down below. Hope it brings you a shot of inspiration for your Wednesday.

April 7th, 2011

Why Failure is a Good Thing

{flickr photo by: ??zeiss66super}

Failure Isn’t an Option

These days I keep hearing people say that, “failure isn’t an option for me.”

They must be talking about permanent failure as in “I quit” versus temporary failure.

Because in the world of pursuing one’s dreams, failure is a requirement.

I have to tell you a story…

Several years ago, I worked for a researcher. He was one of the nicest bosses I ever had. We got along the way Elaine in Seinfeld said about her and Jerry, “like clams.”

To prepare me for an upcoming trip he had, he told me to watch out for a letter that was supposed to arrive when he was gone. He told me it was important, described what to look out for and then went off on his big trip.

While he was away, that letter did come in the mail. But it was in a package that I didn’t recognize.

A few days later I got a scolding of a lifetime.

It was not a good day my friends.

The manager in charge called me into her office. She was livid. She yelled and reminded me that it was “the one thing I was supposed to do” and, “how could I blow it?” The company could have lost millions of dollars because of my error.

I Made a Million Dollar Mistake

I sat there horrified at what I had done. Yes it was bad. Yes I made a HUGE mistake. And yes I acknowledged that I would never do it again.

But then I moved one.

Life went on.

I ended up making one of the biggest failures a person could make.

But it was not the end of the world. My failure did not define me. In fact, I have had a lot more failures (and worse ones!) and successes since then.

It’s all a part of the journey.

Sometimes I need reminding of this.

You might have failed recently and need to be reminded right now too.

Pushing Through Failure

Reading this quote from Callings: Finding an Following an Authentic Life author Gregg Levoy helps put things in perspective for me:

“I was once told that if I’m not failing regularly, I’m living so far below my potential that I’m failing anyway.”

He also quoted poet Rilke and said this:

“the purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.”

If you have failed recently, don’t think of it as an ultimate, lasting defeat. Think of it as a stepping stone toward greater things.

Think that every single obstacle, hurdle, mistake, failure that you’ve made so far is taking you that much closer to your dreams.

It’s not a hunky dory way to deal with mistakes. It is the truth. Just think about how many famous successful people in front of you. Now think about all the dumb mistakes, huge errors and mind-boggling failures they had to get through in order to get to the top.

So what are you waiting for?

Get started on failing now!

January 4th, 2011

2011 Miracles

{photo credit}

I know you can’t just bibbidi bobbidi boo and make all your worries go away when the clock strikes 12. In fact, I just wrote a post for Psych Central that blows that possibility in the water.

But something’s changing in me. And I can’t quite get my finger on it.

Have you ever stood on solid ground only to discover that the large mass around you was actually thin ice?

And when you slipped and fell, did you grasp on tightly out of fear of losing control and letting go? And in the process of focusing on what you had instead of what you have now, suddenly lost yourself in the process and whatever it was you were trying to hold onto?

Yeah it was one of those kind of years.

The type that can either make your life better than ever or break you. Break you so you want to run back to whatever safety net you were once in.

But remake you so that you never see your life the same way again and that’s a good thing.

Usually if you experience that type of life changing experience, you’ll go through both. With some breaking first so that there’s ample space for changing. You hurt and become vulnerable so that little lights of possibility can shine through.

Find Yourself in Silence

To nurture yourself and minimize the fall, sacrifice time for peace. Surround yourself where the ringing of a phone or the high pitch sound of a distant TV never reaches your senses.

For me, it was rocking back and forth out at sea where I finally grieved the loss of my grandfather.

Beneath me was 30 feet of deep water and around me was silence interrupted periodically by waves.

When I sat still and let the experience touch me instead of escape me, I let go and let in the loss.

When I was silent, a turtle swam up from the great depths beneath me, took a breath of air and then dove back down.

It was a symbol for me, of hope, miracle and the importance of breath.

We all need to come up for air every once in awhile.

Be Cognizant of Where You Spend Your Energy

My thyroid hasn’t been functioning properly. This makes it difficult for me to workout too much or work too hard.

After I suffered for awhile, I realized the blessing it was trying to give me.

If we’re open to our illnesses, our suffering, the things that shakes us to our very core, there may be a message waiting there.

For me, the message was clear.

Arguing about unnecessary things, worrying about unnecessary things, working too hard, working out too much, automatically triggered my heart. It raced and pounded louder than it was ever audible before. Now I could clearly see what was taking up too much energy in my life and what I needed to do to live a less stressful and more peaceful one.

I know it’s difficult to see.

When there are tears pouring down your face, when you feel like breathing is an effort, when it takes all you have to keep going…

But there is a message.

And I hope you’ll find it. Remember the turtle and find your own message and miracle and share them with me here.