donmarkhamilton.com one year later
So, this is my fifty-second article since launching donmarkhamilton.com. As they say, “time flies when you’re having fun.” I am having fun! I am learning volumes as I have arrived at the halfway point of my new book and twenty-five percent along on a second book.
It is appropriate that I have attended and spoke at a conference in the Colorado Rockies this week. It was an honor to speak alongside my daughter once again about one of our passions, Gail’s Girls. Honestly, I am as moved by our words as is the audience. My inspiration is not because of my outstanding communication skills (the audience can judge that) but because the story of my hero, Gail Hamilton, inspires me. To recount her story and tell how God is still using her legacy to bring thousands to Himself through her fills my heart and spirit with joy. Over one hundred female leaders have been trained to transform their community through education, vocational development, and the Gospel of Jesus. Since Gail's work began, nearly 500 new churches have been planted by these poor but brave female leaders. And the work continues as resolutely as ever.
God still does His best work through the direst situations. The new life that has erupted through the suffering and death of my beloved is nothing short of astounding.
I love the word “Inspire.” This powerful expression comes from Latin, meaning “to breath into.” The idea is that something or someone inspirational breathes new life into another person. Inspiration is also used to describe how God wrote the Scriptures through His followers. God-breathed or inspired His message into the heart, mind, and spirit of those He used to tell us how much He loves us. The Bible is literally “God-breathed” or “God-inspired.” The Bible is inspiring.
Through the years, many people have told me that I am an inspiring person. I consider those kind words a great compliment. So, when I set out to start my venture, donmarkhamilton.com, I wanted to be about inspiration. “Live Inspired!” is my creed. Everyone needs constant inspiration to live a fulfilling life, and if I can provide some of that elixir, I am honored. Nothing good happens without inspiration. Inspiration is the CPR of life. But to inspire others, one must be a reservoir of the magic potion. How do you stay motivated? Here are some of my secrets.
Keep your eyes and your heart open. Inspiration is everywhere if you have eyes to see it. I am presently sitting on the front porch of an Airbnb in a tiny town nestled in the Rocky Mountains along interstate 70. The home is on the National Historic Registry and has been beautifully restored. I wonder how many people have sat on this porch since the 1800s when the house was built. I’ve talked to numerous passersby who stop to read the historical marker plaque. I tell them I’ve been sitting here since the home was built. I love to see the smile and laughter on their faces. People watching is an excellent source of inspiration.
Across the street are several Aspen trees. I love Aspens—their leaves flitter and glimmer in the wind like jewels hanging from white branches. Aspens don’t grow in southcentral Pennsylvania, but River Birch trees do. I have one next to my deck out back. I spend many hours enjoying the wonder of their leaves. I’ve watched apples explode from beautiful white flowers on my two apple trees. Two turtle-dove friends adorn the railing on my deck each year since they build their home in the framing under the two-story structure. Turtle Doves make such a unique, soothing, and peaceful sound. They coo and caress like young lovers. Inspiration is everywhere.
Back and forth, they zoom across the street into the trees. Hummingbirds are one of God’s astounding inventions. Five feet away, they feast on sugar water like it’s a gourmet meal. How can they possibly flap their wings that fast? How in the world can these tiny, erratic creatures fly from north to south America each year? These little rascals are inspiring!
Through the years, many have asked me how I come up with so many stories and illustrations for my speaking. My reply: The whole world is an illustration. The entire world is inspiring!
Hang out in places where people inspire you. Conversely, quietly shun those who suck the life out of you.
After we presented the story of Gail’s Girls and her passing, I met a petite older woman of Asian descent. She had a beautiful smile, and she complimented us on our speech. She looked me in the eyes and said she had recently lost her husband. They were married sixty-two years. She said, “ I miss him so,” as tears rolled down her weathered cheeks. But quickly, the smile returned, and I knew I now had a new comrade in learning the art of losing a loved one gracefully. She was not here to mourn; she was here to keep making a difference. There is immense inspiration on the faces of the aged.
Andrea and I had the honor to meet a couple with whom we immediately “clicked.” In his words, “We knew you are our kind of people.” How inspiring! This middle-aged couple are successful entrepreneurs who wanted to propose a possible partnership with Gail’s Girls. We talked late into the night. She told us of many years of trials and tribulations, yet, they were there, moving forward, making a difference. Inspiration in the flesh.
Limit the amount of news you absorb. By nature, negative reports sell. Fill your mind with this tainted knowledge, and you too will become soiled. Positive stories are all around; make them part of your daily diet. Good stuff happened today, look for it, and you will be rewarded.
Be open to new information and experiences. Savor the adventure of enjoying something new, something outside of your comfort zone, something that makes you think outside of your little box.
I travel frequently, and one of my habits is to visit one of the many magazine shops in airports. I do two things. First, I look over the books shelved according to the best-sellers list. This short perusal shows me what presently interests Americans. People read what interests them, and they usually purchase books based upon a referral. I cannot and would not read all of these books, but I can stay current. Inspirational books are always on best-seller lists. More importantly, I look for a magazine or two which I would not usually read. Pick the subject, and there is a magazine to address it. Reading new and different material is uplifting and expands your horizons. I live in the north, but Southern Living is pretty interesting.
I like “dive bars.” These are the hole-in-the-wall places where everyone in the room turns and looks at you when you enter. It is much like the old western movies where the cowboy breaks through the swinging doors. I’ve met and observed some fascinating people crouched along the long wooden bars. There is also a sense of community in many of these establishments that most churches should emulate. I’m not proposing you start barhopping tonight, but you can try someplace new. It’s inspiring!
So, it has been a year since I started this venture. I’ve written about 230,000 words so far. I hope that some have been uplifting and inspiring to you. Perhaps something I’ve written has breathed a bit of new life into your soul. This is my hope. Thank you for inspiring me. Many of you have written me with a bit of your story and how I might have helped. You have breathed life into my existence. I pray we may share the inspirational journey God has set us upon for years to come. Thank you.
I have two requests from you.
As you might imagine, I am trying to grow my readership each week. I want to inspire as many people as possible, and the growth of www.donmarkhamilton.com is primarily due to you telling your friends about my writing. I hope to reach 10,000 readers by the end of this year. Please share the blogs with anyone you feel would benefit. Ask them to subscribe on the website.
Give generously to Gail’s Girls. I am not remotely exaggerating when I tell you that thousands of lives are changing through this ministry. Suffering people in southern Asia are being released from both spiritual and physical poverty every day. You can donate to Gail’s Girls at: www.gailsgirls.org
Here’s to a year of inspiration and many more to come!
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
