inspiration | justwritewhatyouknowdotcom

This little blog of mine has brought me a lot of happiness in the past week or so. It has given me an opportunity to share my thoughts with people I’ve never met. In doing so, I hope that I’ve brought some relevant information, some insight, or some HAPPINESS to someone who I’ve never had the opportunity to touch before.

Today I had a court hearing in a nearby town. Although my role in the proceedings went smoothly, my client was noticeably upset. This is not a happy time for her. I decided to take the scenic route back to my office. As I looked out over Lake Erie, I immediately felt calmer – happier.

My computer was applying updates when I return to the office, so I looked at Facebook on my phone. There, I saw the prettiest little stones. My friend Sue found these on a bench at the beach and she shared them on Facebook. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about how our words and actions affect others. I’ve been reminding myself to LISTEN. I’m trying to remember to SPEAK KINDLY. There on my screen were two little stones painted by an unknown giver reminding me to do just that.

I immediately sent Sue a message and asked if I could share her photo. She sent me that one and two more.The email subject was “Because I’m Happy!! Stones.” Sue’s happiness was contagious. I haven’t talked to Sue since I left an organization we were in together. I thanked her and let her know I’ve been down this week. We resolve to try to fit a lunch into our busy schedules soon.

When I opened the files, I was excited to be able to read the note that was loving placed with the stones.

Been thinking of someone lately?

Of course you have!

Don’t forget #1

YOU!

Please take a rock, they are free!

Use them to brighten your or someone else’s day!

Remember smile brightly.

Love freely.

Pay it forward.

❤ Me

One of the advantages of being self-employed is the fact that I can abandon the office in the middle of the day for a few minutes. I declared it “break time” and grabbed Jimi the Wonderdog. He brought me my leash (that’s another post) and to the beach we went to see if the stones were still there. I really hoped they were. We walked from the office to the beach in the beautiful sun and found the stones just where Sue said they would be. As we admired the collection, a lady walked up beside us and we struck up a conversation. Today was her little girl’s first day in Kindergarten. I asked where and we had a nice chat about the Montessori program she’s attending. I know of it, and I’m sure she’s going to love it! She chose a cute little turtle for her little girl, and she chose one for herself that had special meaning. We talked about why it was meaningful to her. The conversation turned to hospice care, and we discussed a hospice center we had both visited. We talked about the beauty and hope that we were both surprised to find in a facility for people who are facing death. She gave Jimi the Wonderdog some attention because she was grieving the loss of her pet. (Jimi was more than happy to oblige with some doodle love).

I had a hard time deciding whether to take the rock that said “Listen,” or the one that said “Speak Kindly.” I reached for “Listen,” and my new friend said, “That one is perfect. You know how to listen.”

Another friend I hadn’t seen for a while was the next to arrive. We talked about the stones, and life, and Jimi the Wonderdog. She gave him a bowl of water (it was hot!) and I enjoyed our chat. As I turned to walk away, I was pulled back to the bench (by the stones – not by Jimi – he is well-behaved for the most part).

There, the stone that said “Joy” called out to me. I hope the unknown artist will not mind that I helped myself to two rocks instead of one. “Joy” joined “Listen” in my pocket. We took a last look at the beach and waved goodbye to my friends.

Jimi and I walked back to the office, drank a whole bunch of water (like I said, it’s HOT!), and I set about putting words on a screen to share these cute little rocks and their message of joy with all of you.

So, my friends, be kind to yourselves. Don’t be afraid to talk to strangers. Pet someone’s dog (but ask permission first). Listen. Speak kindly. Love freely.

Thank you, joyful artist, whoever you may be. Today you touched my life in so many ways. Because you cared enough to paint some stones and arrange them on a bench by the water, my life was changed. Today I reached out to a friend I hadn’t talked to. I took a walk in the sunshine (with Jimi the Wonderdog). I met a new friend. I had a great conversation with another friend. I drank lots of water. I walked 6,000 steps.

Joyful artist, thank you for your gift. I don’t know yet how I will pay it forward, but I will begin by sharing your enthusiasm. May it inspire many others as it inspired me.

If you hurry to Main Street Beach in Vermilion, the rocks are on the bench on the left side of the platform. While you’re there, visit the Little Free Library, buy a cold drink from the volunteers at the Shore Thing stand (tell them I sent you), and enjoy all that life has to offer.

That’s how a little rock can made the whole day brighter.

I began my fitness journey on March 9, 2014. I’ve done the “diet thing” many times before. As a 47 year old adult female who has been overweight for most of her life, I have mastered the art of the excuse. I can justify nearly any unhealthy food or activity. I can procrastinate with the best of them, and the person it has harmed the most is me.

This time, it is different. My husband says he, too, can sense that this time, it is different. This time, it is about changing my life, and not just about doing what I need to do to make the numbers on the scale come down.

The difference, this time, is inspiration. With Robin Williams’ tragic death in the media this week, I will share that depression played a major role in this change. I was struggling with some issues that had me feeling awfully bleak. I was still struggling with my father’s death in early 2013. I was struggling with feelings of inadequacy as a partner, a mother, and a lawyer. I looked in the mirror and struggled with the signs of age and bad health. I was tired of the struggle. I was so unhappy that I lost sight of the many things that make my life so beautiful.

A series of coincidences, or perhaps providence, led me to step on the treadmill instead of eating a package of gluten free cookies or a chocolate bar. I have a group of people in my life who I refer to as my “invisible friends.” Some are ladies I met on or through an online “mom” forum I was active in for many years. Others are people who I met through DDP Yoga forums, or other lawyers I reached out to on Facebook. These people have played an important role in my journey.

When I posted in a “secret group” on Facebook that I was feeling very depressed, a mom suggested I join “Moms Run This Town.” I poo-poo’ed the idea. I never envisioned myself a runner. Soon, another invisible friend suggested we train online together for a 5k. Running took over my facebook feed as friends, both in real life and my “invisible” network, began sharing running posts.

One night, hurt, angry and sad, I brushed off the thick layer of dust that had settled on the treadmill, and I took that first step. I came back the next night, and the next. As is typically the case, life began to get in the way. One night as I was browsing Facebook instead of getting some exercise, I saw a conversation between two “invisible friends.” One asked the other how to ensure success at getting in shape. His response was a photo that said, “Commit.”

I found my inspiration in that graphic. I think of it daily. To succeed at something – anything, you must commit to succeeding. I found inspiration in the “cheers” that my running app sent my way when my friends “liked” my status that said I was on a run. Each cheer inspired me to take another step – to go another 1/10th mile.

I wasn’t sure how my friends would react. I worried that I would annoy them with my fitness posts. I kept posting anyway.

Soon, I began receiving messages. “I wanted you to know that you inspired me to get back to the gym.” “You inspired me to get moving.” “Thank you for sharing your journey. I wanted you to know that I joined a gym.”

I thanked each of them for reaching out, but on the inside, I was saying, “I’m not an inspiration. I’m a morbidly obese person whose bad decisions led to this state.” “I’m not worthy of being your inspiration.”

I started to craft a response that said I’m not someone to emulate- that I have too many weaknesses, I’m too flawed…” At that moment, I realized that inspiration is a very individual, personal experience. What right do I have to say that I’m not an inspiration? If someone can find inspiration in my words, my actions, or my photos, what right do I have to tell them they are wrong? In that moment I simply thanked God for the opportunity to inspire others.

I don’t write to inspire. I write because I really enjoy writing. If, however, it inspires you to look at a sunset, to buy a coffee for someone, to run a half marathon, to clean out your closet, or to bake a gluten free cake, that is a gift to me.

Find inspiration everywhere. The world is an awesome place. If someone inspires you, let them know. Don’t be afraid to share your accomplishments, no matter how insignificant you may feel they are, because someone somewhere may fin the inspiration to improve themselves through your example.

Every single day, you inspire someone to feel happy, or sad, or angry through your words and actions. Being mindful of that fact, choose to inspire others with love and kindness, with your positive energy and your lust for life.

You’re the inspiration.