Happy Monday!
I hope your Thanksgiving celebration exceeded expectations with family, friends, good food, and abundant gratitude! Many of us enjoyed the special treat of a long weekend and took full advantage of the chance to rest before the holiday spirit is in full swing. I’m sure some determined individuals braved the malls and outlets looking for those promised Black Friday sales. If I understand correctly, this can be stimulating and inspirational. Although there was a time when I accompanied my daughters to the midnight raids, now I would quickly burn out and need a nap. Lol! I currently fall into the category of those who are forever grateful for online shopping!
It’s interesting where we find our inspiration. Some are encouraged by beautiful pictures of nature, while others glean their creativity by watching their children find new ways of mastering a craft or intellectual pursuit. Many find encouragement by creating space for solitude, and some run through the streets of major cities photographing dancers in unique poses. I’m thinking specifically of artists like Jordan Matter and Omar Z. Robles. The work is genuinely inspired and so creative that I wonder what kind of mind is free enough to generate stunning images in ordinary places with abandon.
We all have the capacity for creativity and might find inspiration in ordinary happenings in our lives. Maybe your gift is music, dance, or any of the arts. Or compiling data could inspire you. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but think about the geniuses who make metro grids work, air traffic controllers, or even the people who calculate trends in all the ways we live our lives.
Inspiration can be external or internal. We may walk at the gardens or a cultural center and suddenly find our focus on a particular plant formation or caption to a display. Perhaps we’re praying and meditating about a change or new way of approaching a challenge. Maybe we are struck by a message in a sermon or something a good friend says during a conversation. One significant element is to remain encouraged and allow the inspiring moment to come to fruition. It might be foundational to our purpose and direction.
These words from Ella Fitzgerald, an American singer who was often referred to as the First Lady of Song, capture the intersection of persistence and inspiration:
Lady Ella indeed demonstrated the efficacy of these thoughts throughout her lifetime, as she smashed barriers in music, gender constraints, and social constructs. She modeled tenacity and inspiration and encouraged others to do the same. As a result, her music was unique, flowing with an ease and confidence to which many of us aspire.
We see a similar direction in Scripture when Paul encouraged Timothy:
“You, however, continue in what you have learned and what you have become convinced of. For you know from whom you have learned, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness,so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (TLV)
Please think about the possible results of applying these principles to our daily lives. What might that look like in our jobs? For example, our clients could realize inspiration from our tenacity or the timing of an encouraging word. How would it look to model our values, being fully equipped with a loving heart for restoration?
From the perspective of wellbeing, it can mean the difference between success and delayed results, regardless of the challenge. However, if we demonstrate love and encourage ourselves and others, we will undoubtedly generate inspiration for colleagues, clients, friends, and family. These are just a few basic thoughts as we dive into this season of peace, love, joy, and celebration.
Hoping for beautiful outcomes as we seek to provide inspiration and encouragement this week!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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