(PCM) Inspiration! In a journey to health we must have help along the way, something outside of ourselves that keeps us going toward the goal. I would use the word inspire to describe this need.
To inspire means to stir up the emotions and animate the mind. Inspiration is a tool that we can put to use to help us get to the goal of a healthy life. It is important to take a moment and describe what I mean by a healthy life. It is a healthy mind, body and spirit and if even one of these is not running well the rest are also thrown off.
There are all kinds of health issues these days. Addiction, depression, obesity, cancer, mental and emotional issues, diseases and viruses, a total lack of a spiritual life, all of these, and many more, are our enemies in becoming healthy.
What can be used to inspire us to move forward in our personal battles? Let me tell you about my own inspirations and maybe they will help define yours. Remember too that inspiration can come from anywhere so don’t limit yourself to what I write about here.
The first and foremost inspiration is God. God is my father and he wants the best for me, even if he and I don’t see eye to eye on that all of the time. Mother Theresa once said that (and I am paraphrasing) “Jesus was her husband and they argue a lot.” The church itself is the bride of Christ so Jesus in the husband to all Christians and I don’t know of any that don’t, every once in a while, have angry moments with God.
But that doesn’t mean there is no inspiration here. Psalm 23 says “I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and you are with me.” The valley of the shadow of death is not death itself, it is the feeling of death when you desperately want donuts or you want the substance that you have been using for years but you know you can’t use any longer. Your whole body is yelling “GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!” But you say NO!. And God is with you comforting you and encouraging you to move forward. This is inspiration.
Inspiration also comes from the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus being fully man chose to die a humiliating death for me. If he can die for me, literally die. Can’t I stop putting bad things in my mouth so I can live?
Then there are people that inspire me. I have a new friend whose name is Steve. He is a vegan, and I don’t want to go that far, at least not now. But in his life I can see what can be done, that the changes can be made. That eating right doesn’t have to be a burden. I am very grateful for that. Someone who lives it can inspire us to live it too.
My small group leader, Caleb, has shown me through example that you can live free. I am still grasping the meaning of that, but I am learning to see the things of life much less of a burden in fact I am learning that there are burdens I don’t have to carry that have been laid on me by others. But Caleb doesn’t just talk it. You see it in his life.
I am inspired by my editor Joe, who keeps going no matter how hard things get and has patience with me when I just can’t figure out how to run a computer correctly. He praises when deserved and gently corrects when needed. Because of the way he is I want to do better.
Art in many forms inspires me. Frodo Baggins, from The Lord of the Rings, the smallest creature in his world takes a dangerous weapon into enemy territory and destroys it. Sam Gamgee, Frodo’s friend, when Frodo is too weak to carry the burden alone, picks Frodo up and carries him. Frodo destroyed the ring of power, can’t I destroy the fat of death. Sam carried his friend; can’t I carry my friends when they need help?
Music can be inspirational. When I am really down, if I remember, you will find me singing My Favorite Things, from the Sound of Music. The lyrics and music that comprise the song bring bright pictures in to my mind and help to battle sadness.
The Theme from Chariots of Fire, is exhilarating to me, I Gotta Crow from Peter Pan is motivational for me and Look To The Rainbow from Finian’s Rainbow is a song that brings hope for a good ending. And Somewhere Over The Rainbow is always a reminder that no matter how bad or hard things get there is a real better place waiting for me.
I am inspired to joy when I see Van Gogh’s Starry Night, I am encouraged by Snoopy in Peanuts, I know that good health and good attitudes can be won if we work hard when I read The Secret Garden.
These are things that I find inspirational. They may not be what you find inspirational. But look for those things. Hold on to them. Go to them (people) look at them, read them or listen to them when you feel like giving up. You will find the strength to go forward. Don’t give up. Not ever. You and I are walking this path together. You can do it.
Below this article there is a section for making comments. Some people have a hard time finding something to inspire them. Please take a moment and write what you find inspiring. What get’s you thru the day or helps to renew your energy to reach your goals. If you wish tell your story. What you faced or are facing, and what kept or keeps you going. And please have mercy and don’t tell me it’s a dozen donuts and Death by Chocolate that gets you through. Who knows, your words may help someone else.