"It always seems impossible until it’s done."
Nelson Mandela
On occasion, I’ve been asked how I stay inspired and what inspires me; so, I’ve tried to respond to your questions in the best way I know how.
What is "inspiration"?
Webster.com defines it as:
a. Divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
b: The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.
c: The act of influencing or suggesting opinions.
So take your pick! It means different things to different people.
For me, I relate more to the second one - the “moving of intellect or emotions.”
Which definition reflects my feelings?
Whatever the option, I need to be inspired regularly!
What inspires me?
Many things! Music, books, things and people. It’s a varied list, as you will see. These are just a few...
MUSIC
The music that inspires me is as diverse as are my sources of inspiration, so get ready! My inspirational music ranges from rock to country to opera! I actually have an iTunes Playlist called “My Inspiration!” Some of my favored songs/arias on that list are:
I Believe in You, Il Divo & Celine Dion
I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack
Try Everything, Shakira (from the movie, Zootopia)
Duet from The Pearl Fishers’ Opera, Amici Forever
Handel’s Messiah, The Robert Shaw Orchestra and Chorale
Let There Be Peace On Earth, Vince Gill
Amazing Grace, Il Divo
One Friend, Dan Seals
Nessun Dorma, Canadian Tenors (now called The Tenors); from the opera Turandot. It’s the most popular aria in the world, and there’s a reason for that! Gorgeous!
Angels Among Us, Alabama
BOOKS
Mindful Loving, Kathleen Todd, MSW and Diana Baysinger, MC
A Daily Dose of Women’s Wisdom, Christiane Northrup, M.D.
Heal, Kelly Noonan Gores (This is also a WONDERFUL film, check it out here.)
Dying To Be Me, Anita Moorjani, cancer survivor who experienced a near-death experience (NDE) & lived to write & lecture about it!.
Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl, Auschwitz & other Nazi death camps’ survivor.
Becoming Supernatural & many others; Dr. Joe Dispenza, physician; lecturer, researcher of the power of the mind to overcome illness and other deficiencies; author of numerous books, creator of proven, powerful meditations.
The Biology of Belief, Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, scientist, researcher, and role model for us all! Here’s Bruce and I when he was autographing his books at a recent conference I attended!
Energy Medicine, Donna Eden. As Donna explains, “Nobel Prize-Winning physicist Albert Einstein’s formula E=mc^2 boils down to a simple concept: energy is all there is. There is flowing energy (what we usually...think of as “energy”), and congealed energy (matter). Everything in nature is one or the other - a mind-bending concept! Indeed, energy animates every cell and organ in your body.” Thus, she and many others, practice energy medicine, but she’s definitely the leader! Her story and body of work are amazing!
A Week in Winter, Maeve Binchy. One of my “fun books!” Maeve was a prolific author of Irish fictional stories. Each is unique and absolutely lovely! They always brighten my day!
PEOPLE
I have an ongoing list of people, both living and dead, who have inspired me over the years. I continue to update this list as new heroes and heroines enter my life.
Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady; civil rights activist; Chairwoman - President John F. Kennedy Administration's Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and author of numerous books; U.S. Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952; compassionate woman extraordinaire; and much, much more.
Martin Luther King, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, author, orator, civil rights activist on racial inequality, minister, proponent of nonviolence.
Helen Keller was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, was made famous by Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, and its adaptations for film and stage, The Miracle Worker.
Other people that inspire me every day:
Caregivers for:
Stroke Survivors,
The Elderly,
All Disabled, both mentally & physically.
(For me, that caregiver would be Jane - for her constant “cheerleading vs coaching,” her patience, and unwavering support!)
Psychotherapists, who care for all of us!
For me, present and former therapists include...
Barry Pollack, MSW (deceased)
Zita Polsky, MSW (deceased)
Family & Friends that continue to inspire me with their unconditional love and support.
Neuro Therapists such as…
Mark Ritter OTR/L, CHT
Eric Mace, PT
Julie Carlson
Kali Nordin, OT
Michelle Whalen
Neuro-Doctors - the “one and only” for me (& I’ve experienced many neuro docs!) gifted in every way, researcher, brilliant doctor and friend, Dr. Trevor Berry. Click to read his articles for the blog! Part one | Part two
Naturopaths who prescribe natural remedies for our stroke-related issues. Had Dr. Kiera Lane not figured out I had “the lowest serotonin & dopamine levels” she’d ever seen post-stroke, (and prescribed the perfect supplements to improve my depression), I do believe I’d still be in a depressed state!
YOU, our Subscribers! Most of all, I wanted to mention how much you all inspire me daily with your honesty, courage and loyalty to the blog, whether you are a survivor, caregiver, loved one or provider. Your positive comments mean the most!
NATURE
Nature is a beautiful and wonderful thing, you should try to get outside as much as you can! Jane and I (pictured right) recently took our RV on a 3-week journey to explore numerous National Parks. It was an exhilarating experience! It reminded me about the beauty of nature and its importance to our love of life!
But you don’t have to leave your neighborhood to enjoy nature - it’s everywhere!
In summary, I think it’s important for all of us to stop, breathe, and get outside ourselves and remember to stop and smell the roses, as they say! I know how easy it is to focus solely on our deficiencies, our recovery, our stress and emotions, and just getting through the day - without falling, or injuring ourselves in some way!
All that being said, I hope this post can provide you with some new ideas, or remind you of some old ones you’ve forgotten!
What inspires you?! Write in and tell us! We’d love to hear!
Take care, my friends, and know you’re not alone!
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