Inspiration: Utilising our inner compass
Inspired people have a subtle positive energy, a spark you can't put your finger on, a radiance or even a glow.
Inspiration is closely linked to purpose. It is a feeling we get when something rings true for us, something feels exciting in a meaningful way. In other words, inspiration is like an indication, or a signal that we are on track to living with more purpose. Current research tells us that having a purpose in life is crucial for our health and wellbeing . In simple terms, when we feel inspired, and live with purpose, our body knows we are happy and functions better.
We are all entitled to an inspired life. Sadly our society doesn't always educate us about the value of inspiration. Sometimes, the slog of work, family and just the every day grind can leave us feeling a bit dull or tired. Sometimes we don't even know we are pretty uninspired and just accept functioning in an automtatic low energy type of way.
Since inspiration might not have been a priority for most of us, we can start a fabulous experiment as an adult to recapture it.
Here are my three favourite tips on how to feel more inspired:
1. Pay attention to your energy
Ask yourself, are you often talking about your passion to others, researching it, planning more meaningful activities with joy and excitement? Or are you often feeling a bit dull, or lethargic in your daily activities? Its ok, wherever you are at. This is the first and biggest step in my view - just noticing your energy. Its important to have an awareness of how you come across to others in your daily interactions. Do other people see you as a vibrant positive person? A lot of people are functioning on automatic these days with going to work, going home, doing chores and then sleeping. If this feels a bit familiar to you, ask yourself, maybe my batteries are a bit dead? Maybe I am aching for a jump start? Well done on noticing this - although maybe a bit confronting, this is a great realisation. Yoga, and other mindfulness tools such as listening to your breath can help us become more conscious, more aware of our own thoughts and the energy we exude to the world.
2. Intuitively identify your passion
Our intuition is often forgotten in todays world of 'brain focussed activity'. Intuition is an inner wisdom that we can utilise to help us make great decisions in our lives. You know when you get that feeling to stay clear of a certain personality? (lol) We can start to intuitively identify our passion by finding signs of life in our everyday living. For example, you might be walking from your office along to a café in your lunch break and notice a painting that draws your attention and makes you feel a bit taken away to another world, or you feel fascinated by it. Or you might have a random interaction with someone you normally wouldn't and notice things they are doing in their life that seem to resonate or excite you. You might feel an overwhelming compassion for a person, or animal struggling, or give to someone less fortunate and feel super uplifted as a result. Pay attention to these intuitive experiences - these are your inner compass.
3. Micro adventure
Take breaks from your routine. Obviously we can't always take a 4 week holiday to the shores of the Mediterranean to seek clarity in our lives (although if you can, don't hold back I say!). I have come to realise adventure and breaks can come in the form of 'micro- holidays'. Something as simple as an afternoon, where I drop all my to do list, and walk up a hill outside of the city, and sit and enjoy the views. Often inspiration hits people on a holiday because they are away from the routine and stresses of their life, so more creativity can flow - inspiration and creativity are pivotal to being vibrant and alive.
Think about how you can create a half day micro-break for yourself, a get away, visit a new café, walk a different walking track, engage with someone you normally wouldn't, or make an intention to admire the simplicity of the landscape around you. As a heads up, in my experience usually these moments arise through activities that are not always approved by your current pairs, or family, or may be outside of our 'normal' daily routines.
In summary, inspiration really brightens the energy around you, and people will instinctively respond. Once we notice our own energy, utilise the powerful tool of our intuition and make an effort to be adventurous in our approach, we might find the blandness in our persona starts to be replaced with joy.
Jo Jarden is a Certified Yoga teacher and Personal Trainer in Christchurch NZ. With 10 years experience in health promotion, she now helps people one on one with their wellbeing through Accept Yourself: personal training and workouts for wellbeing. Services include, yoga teaching, wellbeing coaching, personal training, and wellbeing workshops.