We're taking a few weeks off from the Writer's Life series. Since the middle of 2014 is almost here (how is this possible??), I'm using the remaining days to stay inspired.
I'm a big fan of Pinterest. I don't use it for any purpose other than to relax. All the pretty pins, the motivational quotes, the house ideas, the yummy food photos, and funny fails ease my tension. Last night I clicked on my inspiration board--surprise, surprise, it inspired me!
Many of the pins on this board are quotes. Others are art, or cardinals, or even my own photos. The picture above is one I took in Saugatuck, MI last summer. We ate outside at a little seafood joint, and it was wonderful!
Another of my favorite pins? The one below because it led me to Rachel Wojo's fabulous site! She is your go-to gal for Christian inspiration, let me tell you. :)
I often go back to her "30 Inspirational Bible Verses" post. It's just what I need when I'm discouraged or worried.
One of my goals this summer is to spend a few lazy hours on my porch each week. Sipping tea, flipping through a magazine, reading a great book, or just watching the birds. All are good for my soul!
Do you have any inspiration triggers? I'd love to hear them!
Have a terrific day!!
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Momentum Builders
There I was, making terrific headway with my exercise program, taming the problems in my manuscript, and generally keeping up with life. But, as you know, life happens and instead of keeping up, I jogged behind it, gasping for air.
I might have lost momentum, but nothing came to a halt. Why? Small steps.
The other day I took my dog for a fifteen minute walk around the neighborhood. Not as intense as my previous workouts, but it kept my body moving.
My manuscript? I threw out my normal daily goals and worked on it for an hour when possible. All those here-and-there's added up. I've gotten through another round of revisions.
What about the tasks I dread? Like balancing my checkbook, paying bills, planning a week's worth of meals, and the daunting pile of laundry--I forced myself to Just Do It (Nike inspires me). I realize the athletic clothing giant didn't intend to kick my buns into basic house management gear, but hey, the list above felt like a marathon!
The last month has been way out-of-whack for me, but by doing small momentum builders, I'm on track to catch up soon. Hooray!
How do you stay on track when life laughs at you?
I won't be moderating comments today, but please leave one!
Have a fabulous Monday!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Inspired by Life
This morning I bit into a huge, ripe blackberry. Mmm. So good! The color made me pause, though. Is it black? Purple? Wine-red? A medley of all three?
Yes.
Whatever the color, I enjoyed its beauty in appearance and its taste.
My houseplant sits smugly front and center in a corner window. The sunlit leaves glow a light, celery green, while the other side broods in darker shades. Romaine, perhaps? All the same plant, but the colors morph in the light.
I love the way they take a completely different tone, much like when a song plays on the radio--it changes the mood.
Colors inspire me. Music inspires me. And I'll admit to another thing I could sit around and watch for hours (why? I don't know! I'm weird!).
Birds.
I love them! Their itty-bitty feathers--so soft--arrayed against their bodies. Their speed. Their caution. Boy, they can flit and fly. Wish my reflexes were that swift. They jockey for seed at feeders, zoom off at the first hint of danger, and before you know it, they're back. Picking away at the seed. Social, wary, tough, and fun to watch.
What's inspiring you lately?
Have a wonderful day!
Yes.
Whatever the color, I enjoyed its beauty in appearance and its taste.
My houseplant sits smugly front and center in a corner window. The sunlit leaves glow a light, celery green, while the other side broods in darker shades. Romaine, perhaps? All the same plant, but the colors morph in the light.
I love the way they take a completely different tone, much like when a song plays on the radio--it changes the mood.
Colors inspire me. Music inspires me. And I'll admit to another thing I could sit around and watch for hours (why? I don't know! I'm weird!).
Birds.
I love them! Their itty-bitty feathers--so soft--arrayed against their bodies. Their speed. Their caution. Boy, they can flit and fly. Wish my reflexes were that swift. They jockey for seed at feeders, zoom off at the first hint of danger, and before you know it, they're back. Picking away at the seed. Social, wary, tough, and fun to watch.
What's inspiring you lately?
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
What Inspires You?
We're midway through January, and I'm glad! Winter already feels long here. The days are so short you blink and you miss them. My translucent skin scares small children. Snow and dirty slush are daily reminders of the season, a season I'm more than ready to leave behind. Even my dog wants spring. She misses our daily walks.
To combat the negative spiral of "winter thinking," I made a list of things that inspire me because I need all the inspiration I can get this time of year.
- My houseplants are the only green around me, and I'm thankful for them.
- New music from the library gets me out of a funk. I'm enjoying a few soundtracks at the moment. (Thanks for Sharing soundtrack and Dan in Real Life soundtrack)
- Healthy black bean dip puts a smile on my face (Tex-Mex Black Bean Dip recipe linked).
- Fruit smoothies in the morning do too!
- I still try to get outside for a quick walk with Sophie if it isn't raining and if the temperatures are above thirty.
- Strong women get me motivated. I cut out a picture of Allison Sweeney (featured in last month's Redbook) and pinned it to my bulletin board. She's healthy and real. I like that.
- Favorite Bible passages lift me up. I write them on index cards and keep them in my office.
- Daydreams help too. It's fun to think of the future, the more outrageous, the better!
- Sports. Practices, games, and all the running in between get me out of the house and talking to other parents.
So many things inspire me! I just have to stop focusing on winter and start focusing on the good stuff!
What inspires you?
Have a terrific day!
 |
| I took this picture on a walk this summer. All that luscious green! |
To combat the negative spiral of "winter thinking," I made a list of things that inspire me because I need all the inspiration I can get this time of year.
- My houseplants are the only green around me, and I'm thankful for them.
- New music from the library gets me out of a funk. I'm enjoying a few soundtracks at the moment. (Thanks for Sharing soundtrack and Dan in Real Life soundtrack)
- Healthy black bean dip puts a smile on my face (Tex-Mex Black Bean Dip recipe linked).
- Fruit smoothies in the morning do too!
- I still try to get outside for a quick walk with Sophie if it isn't raining and if the temperatures are above thirty.
- Strong women get me motivated. I cut out a picture of Allison Sweeney (featured in last month's Redbook) and pinned it to my bulletin board. She's healthy and real. I like that.
- Favorite Bible passages lift me up. I write them on index cards and keep them in my office.
- Daydreams help too. It's fun to think of the future, the more outrageous, the better!
- Sports. Practices, games, and all the running in between get me out of the house and talking to other parents.
So many things inspire me! I just have to stop focusing on winter and start focusing on the good stuff!
What inspires you?
Have a terrific day!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Are You a Morning Person?
I'm starting to think there is a time limit on how long you can try to turn into a morning person. Well, technically I haven't "tried" to become one, but since school forces me out of bed at six am (has for years), I figured my body would naturally switch to liking mornings. Guess I thought wrong!
The sound of the alarm forces me out of blissful slumber and one of two things happen: my eyes dart open in fear or I can't force those babies open for the life of me. What gets me out of bed? The promise of coffee. Lots of coffee.
I enjoy waking up to sunlight. Feeling rested instead of groggy. Not having to immediately hit-the-ground-running. Sitting in my pajamas. Nursing that pot of coffee.
School started yesterday for my kids. Mornings are now a workout in themselves. Get up. Get dressed. Make sure the kids are moving. Do something with my hair. Take the dog out. Start the coffee. Make lunches. Clean any remaining dishes and sweep the floor. Maybe make some breakfast. Maybe not. Remind kids about afternoon events. Wave goodbye to them. Grab my first cup of coffee. Sink into the couch with a smile on my face.
The house is mine again! Silence. Love it!
Maybe mornings aren't so bad after all. :)
Are you a morning person?
Have a fab weekend!!
The sound of the alarm forces me out of blissful slumber and one of two things happen: my eyes dart open in fear or I can't force those babies open for the life of me. What gets me out of bed? The promise of coffee. Lots of coffee.
I enjoy waking up to sunlight. Feeling rested instead of groggy. Not having to immediately hit-the-ground-running. Sitting in my pajamas. Nursing that pot of coffee.
School started yesterday for my kids. Mornings are now a workout in themselves. Get up. Get dressed. Make sure the kids are moving. Do something with my hair. Take the dog out. Start the coffee. Make lunches. Clean any remaining dishes and sweep the floor. Maybe make some breakfast. Maybe not. Remind kids about afternoon events. Wave goodbye to them. Grab my first cup of coffee. Sink into the couch with a smile on my face.
The house is mine again! Silence. Love it!
Maybe mornings aren't so bad after all. :)
Are you a morning person?
Have a fab weekend!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Need Inspiration? Find Inspiring Friends!
A slump. The doldrums. Listlessness.
You know--the middle of winter with no spring flowers in sight?
It's not easy to stay inspired.
Ever since January 1, 2013, I've been inspired and I've stayed there. No, I don't have supernatural powers. I have no exciting developments in the works. I can't even attribute the success to my usual culprits--Coke and chocolate.
When I thought about why this year was different, why this year I've managed to stay on top of my goals and not get down about where I want to be as opposed to where I am, I can attribute it to two things.
1. I'm surrounded by people who inspire me.
2. I surround myself with things that inspire me.
I've contacted several good writer friends regularly over the last six weeks, and each of them is taking on a new challenge. I love hearing the excitement in their voices. I anticipate getting e-mails on their progress. And I applaud their willingness to try something new, something a little scary, something without any guarantees.
Hearing their go-get-em attitude boosts my own. Worry disappears. That bud of an idea in my head, the one I've pooh-poohed for a few years? Maybe it's time. No, it IS time.
The negative side of me throws up objections. That's when I go beyond my friends to the things that inspire me. I listen to positive music. I read Bible passages and say affirmations. I set lofty goals each day, and I do my best to meet them.
I'm convinced worry and doubt keep us from our goals. They are killers. We allow these insecurities to dig a grave for our most precious dreams.
It doesn't have to be that way! We can fight the negativity. Ignore the doubts. Set fire to the inactivity holding us back.
Think of a friend or acquaintance who inspires you. Contact her (or him). Ask her what she's working on. Let her enthusiasm light your own. Gather a slew of tools to keep you inspired. Music, books, quotes, a pretty picture, magazines, videos, flowers--I don't care! Just make it happen!
How do you stay inspired? Do you have a go-to person who encourages you?
Have a terrific Wednesday!
You know--the middle of winter with no spring flowers in sight?
It's not easy to stay inspired.
Ever since January 1, 2013, I've been inspired and I've stayed there. No, I don't have supernatural powers. I have no exciting developments in the works. I can't even attribute the success to my usual culprits--Coke and chocolate.
When I thought about why this year was different, why this year I've managed to stay on top of my goals and not get down about where I want to be as opposed to where I am, I can attribute it to two things.
1. I'm surrounded by people who inspire me.
2. I surround myself with things that inspire me.
I've contacted several good writer friends regularly over the last six weeks, and each of them is taking on a new challenge. I love hearing the excitement in their voices. I anticipate getting e-mails on their progress. And I applaud their willingness to try something new, something a little scary, something without any guarantees.
Hearing their go-get-em attitude boosts my own. Worry disappears. That bud of an idea in my head, the one I've pooh-poohed for a few years? Maybe it's time. No, it IS time.
The negative side of me throws up objections. That's when I go beyond my friends to the things that inspire me. I listen to positive music. I read Bible passages and say affirmations. I set lofty goals each day, and I do my best to meet them.
I'm convinced worry and doubt keep us from our goals. They are killers. We allow these insecurities to dig a grave for our most precious dreams.
It doesn't have to be that way! We can fight the negativity. Ignore the doubts. Set fire to the inactivity holding us back.
Think of a friend or acquaintance who inspires you. Contact her (or him). Ask her what she's working on. Let her enthusiasm light your own. Gather a slew of tools to keep you inspired. Music, books, quotes, a pretty picture, magazines, videos, flowers--I don't care! Just make it happen!
How do you stay inspired? Do you have a go-to person who encourages you?
Have a terrific Wednesday!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Is Your Workspace Inspiring?
I splurged last week on an expensive magazine. As soon as I leafed through it, I knew it would light up my world. I was right!
Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women lightened my heart and brightened my mood. It opened possibilities in that closed-off, winter area of my brain. The spaces and women featured within were unique, individual, and amazing.
I'm blessed to have a workspace all my own, but it does not resemble any of the spaces featured. And guess what? It shouldn't. It's one thing to get inspired by photographs and another thing entirely to copy them.
The most satisfying rooms in my house are the ones I pieced together with my style, borrowing from this look or an idea from that magazine, but ultimately, my own.
I'm starting to get an idea of my ultimate workspace. It will cost money. But I can wait for it. I'm gathering ideas now. I want floor to ceiling cabinets with open shelves and hidden drawers. I want a few shelves mounted to the wall. I would love a comfy chair and ottoman plus a coffee table to spread my work on.
Just because I have a vision of a future workspace doesn't mean I'm not grateful for what I have now. My current workspace does inspire me. It's quiet. I have a large desk and a door to close out noise. There's even a window to enjoy the birds playing in the backyard.
Even when my office consisted of a tiny table, a folding chair, and a laptop, I was satisfied with my space.
Maybe because it was mine?
I think that's the key. Any workspace can be inspiring, but we have to claim it and make it ours.
Does your workspace inspire you? If yes, why? If no, can you tweak it?
Have a fun weekend!
Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women lightened my heart and brightened my mood. It opened possibilities in that closed-off, winter area of my brain. The spaces and women featured within were unique, individual, and amazing.
I'm blessed to have a workspace all my own, but it does not resemble any of the spaces featured. And guess what? It shouldn't. It's one thing to get inspired by photographs and another thing entirely to copy them.
The most satisfying rooms in my house are the ones I pieced together with my style, borrowing from this look or an idea from that magazine, but ultimately, my own.
I'm starting to get an idea of my ultimate workspace. It will cost money. But I can wait for it. I'm gathering ideas now. I want floor to ceiling cabinets with open shelves and hidden drawers. I want a few shelves mounted to the wall. I would love a comfy chair and ottoman plus a coffee table to spread my work on.
Just because I have a vision of a future workspace doesn't mean I'm not grateful for what I have now. My current workspace does inspire me. It's quiet. I have a large desk and a door to close out noise. There's even a window to enjoy the birds playing in the backyard.
Even when my office consisted of a tiny table, a folding chair, and a laptop, I was satisfied with my space.
Maybe because it was mine?
I think that's the key. Any workspace can be inspiring, but we have to claim it and make it ours.
Does your workspace inspire you? If yes, why? If no, can you tweak it?
Have a fun weekend!
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