Inspiration
Do you feel inspiration in your life? For me nature inspires but you need to be present truly present to notice it. As I sit outside typing this blog I stop and listen in on the birds chatting, I see the calm glass like lake slightly ripple and reflect the trees above, occasionally a fish jumps and I am reminded that there is as much going on under the water as there is above it. The gentle breeze moves our American flag banner ever so slightly and I find that my thoughts go to this day. Independence Day. An inspiration of a different kind. Our forefathers and mothers battling to find a new life for us. Sacrificing their lives to make our country great.
Are there other things to inspire me on this quiet morning? My coffee is good but not the best I've made. I am a coffee mug snob, so I am pleased to be drinking out of my white Starbucks mug. The coffee is black and warm and rich and I am inspired as I think about all the things that had to happen for this coffee to get to me. All the lives the beans touched and the places that it came from before it graced my mug. Something we take for granted in this beautiful country of ours, is that everything is available to us at any given moment. So yes, I believe even coffee can be inspiring.
Spiritually right now, I am inspired by Thomas Merton, St. Francis of Assisi, Richard Rohr and St. Teresa of Avila. I've read books like the The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer that have brought about such deep soul searching that I have to prepare myself to read it a second time. I read the beautiful writing of Thomas Merton whose book "The Seven Storey Mountain" is filled with poetic descriptions of his life and faith. I read "Love Poems from God - Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West" by Daniel Ladinsky and I am transported by the words. I am currently reading "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr and wonder how he knows me so well. I also enjoy an app "Pray as you Go" Each day except Saturday you receive a new piece of music, scripture, reflection and time of prayer.
I am inspired by meditation and by music. By life stories of courage and love. By books and poems, by writings and nature. I was recently inspired during a seminar, where the instructors had us do an exercise that we were able to feel the energy between us and connecting us. Now, that was inspiring.
I am inspired by my husband, my children, my brothers, sisters in law and my nieces and nephews. I am inspired by friends. All of these people teach me everyday the importance of hard work, connection to others, using your inner energy to wake up to the world around you and they teach me to try to be free and kind.
Overall, the real gift of inspiration is one that I am still learning. To be present and use my senses, to recognize the gifts that stand in front of me, beside me and hold me up when my legs can't bear the weight of another day.
So...I guess for me, my inspiration comes from many places. I just need to be awake to hear the voice within and open my heart to feel it's vibration.
Wishing you Grace, Peace and Healthy Living,
Lorraine
“IN A WAY THE GRAIN CAN FEEL
Remember, God that we are the plants in your fields
so connected to the
earth
that you know what would happen
if you did not rain
upon us.
And if your light ceased to lift us from the ground
and craft our bodies,
how might we near you like the
suns?
Remember, God, to love us in a way
our souls can taste
and rejoice
in.”
