Get Inspired!

Remember the last time you felt totally inspired by someone or something and in some way? It was a great feeling, wasn't it? And it made life feel a little bit better with that boost in faith.

Yesterday, I enjoyed one of those marvellous revelations of inspiration. And I've been seeing, hearing, or reading something that hits home in such an inspiring way from that point on.

I opened my personal email and a friend told me about having eye problems. She's already blind in one eye, and had some serious surgeries over the past couple of years with other health issues. Not once did she complain in her email -- just chatted as if it was no big deal.

Her philosophy is that patience allows the "cure" to any problem to more quickly manifest, and she looks beyond the present ordeals to the better side of things when all will be well again in life. Not "IF" things will be well and right . . . but "when." And she always focuses on that to be inspired, be happy, and never give up.

I felt inspired by her "attitude of gratitude" when she told me that down times prompt her to remember that there is always someone who has it worse somewhere. So even though this past year has been an emotionally rough one with things that seemed to just keep piling up one on top of the other . . . I realized that it's long past time to stop worrying and just put this in God's hands -- and leave it there! The very determined spirit within me was peeking its welcome presence out and saying, "Hey, did ya forget about me?"

The thing is, sometimes when we decide to put something in God's hands, we end up taking it back without even realizing we are doing it. That's what I've found myself doing over and over again.

I've never really been one to hang on to problems with such unhealthy strength in the way I have this past year. And I decided its time to be strong and determined in healthier ways -- not negative ones that are constantly filled with stress, worry, and "what if."

But there has been a lesson in all of this about how hard we may hang on to the things that are not good for us, which can impact how we handle other things in life that ARE good for us. Worry takes away joy. It serves no good or practical purpose. We all know this, but sometimes we neglect to remember it when we need to remember it most of all.

Little synchronicities appeared to me yesterday in those moments of revelation when I made a conscious decision to truly be me again and to make the choice to be happy every day, even in the face of some not-so-nice things in life. It's as if the Universe gave me a reminder, one after the other in a short amount of time, that this was the choice to stick with. No, of course I won't be happy "about" the bad stuff, but I will focus on everything else that I have to be so thankful for, and I'll search for the lesson that is there for me. It's a healthier, happy, and more productive way to live.

The first synchronicity occurred with my friend's email I mentioned above. REVITALIZE was the first word that came to my mind. Be our authentic selves and be inspired and enthusiastic about life and the goodness that is there, despite any problems that try to convince you otherwise.

The second one came about when I ran across an article "Top Five Regrets of the Dying." This was not a depressing article -- in fact, I found it to be quite inspiring. If you take a moment to read that article by Bronnie Ware, I think you, too, will be inspired to live your life authentically and not worry so much about the little things that don't matter in the long run.

Last but not least, I was lead to one of Ralph Marston's Great Day inspirations about being strong. His website is packed full of inspiration, and I highly recommend it!

Being strong

When times are tough, it’s tough to be positive. Yet that is your most powerful and effective choice.

When you’ve been knocked down, it’s tough to be sure of what to do next. Yet you can be sure that feeling sorry for yourself will make things even worse.

It’s hard to be strong when the challenges seem insurmountable. But the amazingly powerful fact is, you can be strong.

It is precisely because life can be so tough and painful that it can also be so beautiful and fulfilling. Those very challenges that seem so impossible to get through are what set the stage for a life that is magnificent beyond comprehension.

Life can be terribly unfair and difficult and demanding. And yet, against such a background, it is nearly impossible to imagine anything more beautiful and fulfilling than life itself.

Being strong in the face of difficulty is not a matter of training or ability. It is a choice you are free to make in every moment, and a choice that will bring immense value and goodness to your world.

— Ralph Marston

Amnesia

"Dire ethanol emergency here!!” I banged on the counter when we reached the store to pick up the life saving gears. Pooh was getting married and we were celebrating her impending wedding or the counted days of her freedom to put it more rightly.

"Sure! What'll it be ladies... And gentleman", he added when he saw a male friend backing us up. Nash was the other partner in crime.

"A bottle of each, vodka, scotch and beer." Pooh added.

"Anything else?" he asked returning the order.

"Yep! A foot massage would be as great if you could squeeze it in your schedule." I winked.

"Anything shy about you?" She tapped on my shoulder.

"Nope! A little flirt is good for health."

"Yeah! When you're single." Both asserted in unison.

 "What is with you people? Flirting has to nothing to do with relationship status." I asserted. "Its all about not crossing the threshold of remorselessness, if one has any that is."

"Ok! Move your ass NOW!" She spanked me... almost ;)

It all seemed perfect. Dark overcast sky, a little nip in the air, booze, snacks, music and two haught women. We certainly missed Punk and Syl, they both were sleeping calmly at their respective snug cozy homes.

I sat comfortably at the back seat and let Pooh do the honors. 
"Dude, has nobody ever asked you the secret of hanging out with two hot women at this hour of the night?" I badgered Nash.

"You drunk already," Nash threw it back at me with an evil smile.

"O! In that case, I will reserve this question for a little later."

A few drinks later, I learned that she was not marrying her boyfriend.

"Huh! Why worry about commitment when your parents are there to do that for you?" She said sarcastically but it actually made sense.

I brushed the gravity of the thought aside and said, "It must be the alco talking. No problem. Now that you’ve made the decision, why care."

"I love you babe!" Her voice went pale as she said so. I didnt want to dig any deeper.

"Oye! Senti+mental queen! Thats what friends are for. They dont ask many questions and they always stand by you."

"Let’s raise a toast to your wedding". Nash said in an attempt to lighten her mood.

Then we exaggerated about our upcoming Laddakh trip and how Pooh will miss all the fun.

It was a little later than midnight when I made it to home. As always, mom opened the door and oddly enough, she continued staring at me, which was a little unnerving given the inebriated state I was in. Perhaps, she asked me a question, which I lost apparently.

Just to be sure, I asked her, "What happened ma? Did you say something?”

"Would you like something to eat?" She repeated.

"I'm good ma! You go off to sleep."

I took a cold shower and retired to bed. I slept through the entire morning and ended up working from home. I had not even logged on to the communicator when Nash came at me.

"You at home?"

"Just got up. Hey... you game for the spinster's party for Pooh?"

"After what you did last night, no?"

"Huh? Elaborate."

"You left your dupatta in the back seat of my car."

"Hang on! How is that even remotely possible? I was not wearing one."

"Oh! Then it’s Pooh's."
"Hang on! It is now on my radars. What Pooh's dupatta was doing at the back if she was sitting in the passenger's, eh?"
"Enough fun now! It could have cost me my marriage."

"Heeee!! Drinking does cause amnesia. You should have been careful."

"I would have lost my memory permanently if the cleaner or my wife had found it."

"Dont be such a dumb Nash. You could have said, if you were caught, that you got the dupatta for your wifey and will get the kurti later." I teased him.

"You funny little b***h. I'll drop it at your place in the evening."

"Guess being a b***h is better than a nun, what say?"

"Yea b***h is cool."