Motivational Monday: November 26, 2012

Inspiration can come from the oddest sources.  My favourite episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on television late Friday night (go ahead laugh it up).  It is the musical episode called "Once More With Feeling".  There were two quotes towards the end of the episode that I thought would be perfect for Motivational Monday.  I am going to share one of them with you today.  The quote is "where there is life--there is hope".  Pretty profound for a science fiction show, wouldn't you say? 

Now actually, I didn’t take it for granted that the quote was original to the show so I went looking for the source.  Apparently, the expression originates in Ecclesiastes and is based on the Latin proverb “Dum vita est, spes est” --while there's life, there's hope.  However, where it comes from isn’t as important as the meaning it conveys.  While you still have a single breath left in you, then there is chance for change.  Today though, I am not focusing so much on the message of the quote but rather on where inspiration comes from. 

Inspiration can be found in many places.  It can come from our own imaginations or from the world around us.  You just have to start looking.  Our senses play a huge part in our inspirational journey.  We can be inspired by things that we see, things we hear, things that we touch.  We can even be inspired by the way something smells.  So if you are looking for inspiration, interact with the world around you.  You never know where your next idea may come from.

When you come across an idea, write it down.  I used to keep a journal where I would cut things out from magazines that inspired me to create.  These days I keep most everything in folders on my computer.  However you choose to store the ideas that encourage you, make it a system that works for your own lifestyle.  The more organized you are, the easier it will be to find the things that move you and get the creative juices flowing again when you are stuck for ideas.  

Inspiration is not just about helping us with our creativity though.  Sometimes, we need a little extra encouragement to help keep us motivated to get through the day, a project or another complexity we are facing in our lives.  During those situations, I find it best to turn more towards nature and the wonders of the world around you or to the thoughts and words from others (i.e. quotes).  It doesn’t matter what it is, just find something that you can grasp onto to help you navigate your way through the difficulties.

Whether it is in your personal life or your professional one, continue to look for things that inspire you to be better & do better every single day.  It won't be easy but nothing in life ever is.  You'll need to work at it.  Try an idea out, play around with the concept in different ways.  Sure, you'll probably be frustrated but that is part of the process.  You need to go down different alleys, knock on a few doors, and even get turned away until you finally come to your destination.  The key is to never stop trying.

So, where do you get your inspiration from?  I’d love to know.

Before I go, here is your motivational quote for this week.

If you are interested in the information used to create this sentiment, I have included it below along with my other usual caveats.

Until next time, 

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• Big Lou

• Brock Script

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References:

Author Unknown. (2009). Latin Proverbs: Motivational Latin Proverbs. Available: http://latin-proverbs.com/phrases/while-there-is-life-there-is-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Author Unknown. (2012). while there is life there is hope. Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/while-there-s-life-there-s-hope. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Meindl, Anthony . (2012). Where Does Inspiration Come From?. Available: http://www.dailyactor.com/2012/11/acting-advice-where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

“Once More With Feeling”.  Buffy The Vampire Slayer.  UPN.  Much More Music, Toronto, ON. 23 November 2012. 

Rose, Gene. (2008). Where Does Inspiration Come From? . Available: http://governmentcommunicators.blogspot.ca/2008/04/where-does-inspiration-come-from.html. Last accessed 25th November 2012.

Xerri-Brooks, Sally. (2012). Where does inspiration come from?. Available: http://sallyxerribrooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/where-does-inspiration-come-from/. Last accessed 25th November 2012.