Sometimes I need to be inspired: I get in a thinking rut, ruminate over something stupid I said or did, or can’t recover my displaced optimism. Simple words can inspire me if I pay attention: Eat, Pray, Love (book by Elizabeth Gilbert); Live, Laugh, Love (song by Clay Walker); Relax, Renew, Refresh; Faith, Hope, Family; and Dance Like No One’s Watching (All wall art). They are nuggets of wisdom to redirect my brain.

This week, a couple of book titles caught my attention. One was, What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, co-written by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry. When someone does or says something hurtful or rude, the book’s message is to ask, “What happened to you?” instead of, “What’s wrong with you?” It reminded me I, too, have bad days or weeks where life is upside-down, and I am not my
usual self. I’ve practiced the concept this week, and thinking, “What happened to her?” shifts my reaction from criticism to compassion–usually a better place to hang out.

The other book is a women’s journal: Dress Like Coco, Live Like Jackie, Act Like Audrey, and Laugh Like Lucy. The matched characters of familiar names activated my creativity, and I thought I would prefer to dress like Jackie, live like Lucy, dress like Audrey, and laugh like Coco, who said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

The last inspiration this week was from watching a video on one selection for the Caldecott Picture Book Award, “We Are Water Protectors,” written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. The illustrations were vibrant, the message was clear and consistent, and every word and brushstroke had a purpose. The top quality and craftsmanship lifted my spirits.

It doesn’t take significant events or fluffy commentary to feel inspired, and it often arrives free of charge. Sometimes it’s a movement I catch out of the corner of my eye, a new emotion when dusting a painting I bought years ago, or looking into someone’s eyes and seeing beyond the iris and pupil.

Life’s normality, desired or unwanted, can drain my inspiration. I can feel like conquering the day, and a sad news phone call can deplete my best-planned expectations. Another spoiler for being on top of my game is doing too much and staying too busy. Inspiration often happens best when we walk slow.

What inspires me might bore someone else. We are unique in what motivates us to put our feet on the floor in the morning or sing in the shower. I don’t think it’s vital to identify motivating factors, but they’re essential to note so we can push the Enjoy and Repeat button.

Mental health needs our assistance—it grows and blossoms with inspiration.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

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