Inspiration vs. clutter
Last week I wrote that inspiration is all around you; you have but to open your eyes and see it. However, seeing, hearing, or reading inspirational material is not equal to applying it to your journey. There sometimes exists a disconnect between inspiration and application.
About six years ago, I walked the 500-mile, famed “Camino Way” across Spain with my nephew and close friend, Joseph. The pilgrimage is one of the highlights of my life. In forty days, we walked over the Pyrenes Mountains from France into Spain, across wine and olive country, and over hundreds of miles of hills and mountains, acres of flowers mostly along roads built by the Romans. We sat in beautiful churches and cathedrals and met dozens of interesting people. The journey was forty days of inspiration.
Joe and I stayed together in everything from low-end private motels to gorgeous bed and breakfasts to four-star hotels. After our ten-to-twenty-mile treks each day, we flopped onto our beds, exhausted. Then we took a shower, ate dinner, and then up to bed. Not much else happened after walking up mountains all day.
However, every evening Joe had another routine. We were both in reasonable physical condition at the time since we had spent many hours in gyms through the years. But there were no fitness rooms in these lodgings. So, my motivated nephew employed another method to keep his buff appearance. He lifted whatever he could find in his room and did pushups and sit-ups. It was funny watching him locate a heavy object and then figure out how to raise it. There was always his backpack, but other weights included chairs and any article that he could hoist.
One night he explained to me that he learned to do this during a period of life when he traveled constantly. He found that this habit was more effective than working out in the gym. I laid in my bed with an occasional smile and observed the interesting items he found to lift. His ingenuity inspired me. I learned that anyone could do a good workout anywhere. But I did nothing but file my inspiration in my memory banks. I, too, was interested in maintaining muscle tone, but I was not ready for that method.
However, his unconventional workouts made an impression on me—fast forward several years. Though I do not need to lift miscellaneous items around my house, I have learned to apply my nephew’s principle. I have a small workout gym in my ground-floor family room but can easily avoid walking down the stairs to that level. Instead, I brought some of the ground floor up to me. I sat barbells in my main family room, where I watch television. I cannot go into the room without passing these weights. I also placed forearm and hand training devices on an end table next to where I watch shows like “Somebody Feed Phil” or “Ted Lasso.” It’s hard to miss them. Throughout the evening, I can perform a pretty good workout. The inspiration I found in Spain finally came to fruition several years later.
Isn’t it interesting that one of the take-aways from walking the Camino way is a workout method? Inspiration can be hiding around every corner.
That is the tremendous power of inspiration. The experience can lie dormant for years, but when the conditions are right, our memory banks float the inspirational moment to the top, and we find ourselves doing something that inspired us years ago.
Your brain is full of inspiring moments derived from your experiences. Here’s how to tap into those resources.
Inspiration results in motivation. You will not accomplish or overcome any endeavor without first being inspired. Inspiration is what breathes life into your aspirations.
Inspiration requires “open eyes.” You must allow yourself to be inspired regularly from many sources. It’s easy to take for granted or become jaded about the uplifting life we encounter every day. Jesus frequently reminded people that they needed to open their eyes to see what was clearly in their path. Having inspiration all around you and realizing it are two different things. You should endeavor to be inspired every day.
Inspiration can be mined. You must seek inspiration from valuable resources. Some inspiration just happens, but some is mined. When I was young and starting life as a public speaker, I sought speakers from whom I could learn—Chuck Swindoll, Fred Craddock, Tommy Oaks, and Max Lucado, to name a few. I believe the essence of good speaking or writing is the story. So, I found great storytellers to inspire me. Whatever your chosen field, some have mastered it. Seek them out, and you’ll find inspiration to be your best too.
Inspiration surfaces in an uncluttered mind. I just purchased a new vehicle. Trade-in values are presently high and can offset the higher purchase prices of used cars. So, I traded in Blue Steele, my faithful Nissan Maxima. I needed to remove my personal items from my Nissan to transfer into the new vehicle. Because I can’t stand to ride in a dirty, messy car, I maintain my transportation very well. My car is usually clean and clutter-free, or so it seemed.
The glove box and center console storage areas had to be emptied. Wow, how much junk can you get into these small spaces? A lot! Laid out on my counter were six pens, one pencil, five different kinds of breath mints, three pairs of sunglasses, seven face masks, four sets of earbuds, four phone charging cords, a brush, two combs, a Swifter, a flashlight, three Fast Park cards, three gift cards, a dollar in change, an envelope containing two vehicle registrations and a collection of four old insurance cards, a large pile of useless receipts and assorted papers, a broken garage door opener, and a partridge in a pear tree! I’m certainly not putting all this stuff into my new sweet ride, so I was inspired to de-clutter. Only what is necessary will make it to the new glove box and console.
Over the course of the average day, your mind collects clutter. If you don’t take time to un-clutter your brain, all kinds of things will accumulate and cause frustration, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. None of those experiences are inspiring. Clutter blocks inspiration. The antidote to a cluttered mind is to set aside time for decompression, reflection, rejuvenation.
Find your place of quiet and peace. Once you are there, even if it’s a short time, process your day. Let go of whatever needs to go. Now refill your mind with what might have inspired you. Then pray, think about a Bible verse or two, or perhaps some uplifting reading. If something inspires you, do you need to act on it? Some inspiration is just there to enjoy and breathe into you a bit of life.
A few weeks ago, I related that I placed two Hummingbird feeders off my deck where I could see them. I love these speedy little creatures. But no birds came for a free lunch. I was told that there is a Hummingbird drought this year. But guess what, a day or two after I blogged that information, a hungry little rascal appeared, and he or she has been enjoying my buffet ever since. I love watching my little friend. He inspires me. Life is a series of wonders to enjoy if you have eyes to see and ears to hear. Some inspiration doesn’t expect anything in return, just enjoy.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
