Ten Ideas for Creating Inspiration in Your Life

 

1. Try new things: Explore different activities, hobbies or interests that you haven't tried before. This can lead to new experiences and discoveries, which can inspire you in unexpected ways.

2. Surround yourself with inspiration: Surround yourself with people, art, music, literature, or other sources of inspiration that motivate and encourage you. Attend art shows, concerts, and other cultural events to find inspiration.

3. Set goals: Identify specific goals that you want to achieve, and create a plan to reach them. This can help you stay focused and motivated, and give you a sense of purpose.

4. Practice mindfulness: Take some time to be still and focus on the present moment. This can help you clear your mind, reduce stress, and gain clarity about what you want to accomplish.

5. Find a mentor: Look for someone who has achieved the things you want to achieve and ask for guidance. A mentor can offer valuable insights, advice, and support.

6. Read inspirational books: Reading books that inspire and motivate you can help you stay focused on your goals and develop a positive mindset.

7. Volunteer: Helping others can be a powerful source of inspiration. Volunteer your time and skills to a cause that you care about, and you may find a new sense of purpose and inspiration.

8. Create a vision board: Create a visual representation of your goals and aspirations using images, words, and other symbols. This can help you stay focused on your vision and motivate you to take action.

9. Practice gratitude: Focus on the things you are grateful for in your life. This can help you develop a positive mindset and inspire you to make the most of every opportunity.

10. Take care of yourself: Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking care of your physical and emotional well-being. When you feel your best, you are more likely to be inspired and motivated.

 

 Why is Inspiration Important in 2023?

 Inspiration is important in 2023, as it has been in every year, because it plays a crucial role in helping individuals and societies to grow, adapt, and thrive.

In a rapidly changing world, people need to be inspired to think creatively, take risks, and pursue their goals with passion and dedication.

Inspiration can help individuals overcome obstacles and challenges, by providing them with the motivation and energy to push through difficult times.

It can also help people to see beyond their current circumstances, to imagine new possibilities and opportunities, and to chart a course toward a better future.

I have seen more than a few individuals become buried in negative views, social media posts, politics, and intense anger. 

We are all affected in many ways and in different ways.

However, in a society that is facing complex problems and challenges, inspiration can help to bring people together, to foster collaboration and cooperation, and to create a shared vision for the future.

It can help to generate new ideas, innovative solutions, and a sense of purpose and direction that can guide individuals and communities toward positive change.

Overall, inspiration is important in 2023 and will continue to be important in the years to come because it provides the spark that ignites creativity, innovation, and progress.

Other blog posts on inspiration:

Inspiration from the Crab Nebula

Inspiration from Unbroken, an Extraordinary WW II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Inspiration and Gratitude While Suffering - Is It Possible?

Writing a Short Story

 

Writing a short story can be a fun and rewarding experience. A short story can be fiction or be used for business in marketing. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Brainstorm ideas: Think about the plot, characters, setting, and theme of your story. Make notes of anything that comes to mind.
   
   

2. Choose a plot: Decide what will happen in your story. This will be the backbone of your plot.

    

3. Create characters: Develop interesting characters that will drive the plot forward. Give them unique traits, flaws, and motivations.

    

4. Set the scene: Describe the setting where your story takes place. Consider how it will affect the plot and the characters.

    

5. Write the story: Start with an opening that hooks the reader, then develop the plot, characters, and setting. Write in a clear and concise manner, focusing on the most important details. Use dialogue and sensory details to make the story come alive.

    

6. Edit and revise: After finishing your first draft, take a break and then come back to it with fresh eyes. Look for ways to improve the plot, characters, setting, and language. Cut unnecessary details and tighten up the story.

    

7. Share and get feedback: Share your story with others and get feedback. This can help you identify areas that need improvement and give you ideas for future writing.

Remember that writing is a process, and it may take several drafts before you create a story that you are satisfied with. Be patient with yourself and keep writing!

Inspiration From Dying to Be Me (Book review)

Imagine having advanced stage 4 cancer and after trying many alternative methods for healing nothing worked and going into a coma for thirty hours. During that 30 hours, you are still aware, but in a much different way. Your consciousness is expanded dramatically, you perceive past present, and future, are in a state of bliss with no pain, and gain amazing wisdom and insights into the realities of life, death, and infinite being.

Then your body recovers with a complete remission within days, the doctors are amazed, and you return to a healthy life with a mission to share your story.

Unbelievable?

This happened to Anita Moorjani and she describes her NDE (Near Death Experience) beautifully in her book Dying to Be Me - My Journey from Cancer to Near Death to True Healing. The audiobook was narrated by her so that you can hear her story in her voice as well as her words.

Anita has humility about her experience and is also down-to-Earth with her honest and compassionate descriptions of what she learned from the experience. 

Some of this information is so profound that I cannot even begin to describe it by memory. You will need to read or listen to the book to find out. At least read the book's description on Amazon or Audible, and a few reviews to make an informed decision.

The book was discovered when I was browsing Audible and they had a two-for-one sale with a large selection of various audiobooks. Not only was the title eye-catching but I recognized her name from when she visited the New Thought church, Mile Hi, in Denver when I was living there.

The inspiration from her book was a perfect way to start the New Year as I finished the entire seven hours of audio in two days. 

No surprise that the book has sold more than a million copies worldwide and has been translated into 45 languages. 

from Audible:

"Anita shares how after fighting cancer for almost four years, her body began shutting down. As her organs failed, she entered into an extraordinary near-death experience where she would realize her inherent worth and the actual cause of her disease. Upon regaining consciousness, Anita found that her condition had improved so rapidly that she was able to be released from the hospital within weeks...without a trace of cancer in her body! After years of struggling to forge her path while trying to meet everyone else's expectations, she had the realization - as a result of her epiphany on the other side - that she had the power to heal herself...and that there are miracles in the universe that she had never even imagined.

 

In Dying to Be Me, Anita shares all she has learned about illness, healing, fear, "being love", and the true magnificence of every human being!"

If you want inspiration that could last the entire New Year or more, wisdom that you may not know about, why self-love is so important and other wisdom from Anita's experience on the other side, then dive in with this book. You will not be disappointed.

Here's the link to Audible:

https://www.audible.com/pd/Dying-to-Be-Me-Audiobook/B09RXV6CC8?qid=1672853141

David Brown
January 4 2023

2023 Cheers - No Fear - Happy New Year

 Letting go of 2022. Adios.

What are we planning? Are there New Year's resolutions?

What were 2022 resolutions? I cannot remember mine !

What does the photo evoke?A leap of faith? A fear of falling? 

So cheers or fears in 2023?
Maybe it will be "an extraordinary process"...

I guess it's how we choose to be, our state of mind, our spiritual focus, and our choices about who and what we allow into our life. Is it or them feeding us or depleting us? 

Of course it is a not clear cut, black and white simplistic choice. It's an ongoing process. One thing is certain - we can let go of 2022. Adios.

For me, I will continue to write and hopefully add some inspiration to the content mix out there, and to whomever is reading this today, blessings to you and yours in 2023. Cheers ! No Fear. Happy New Year! Carpe Diem.

A year from now I will revisit this blog post and reflect on 2023. Stay tuned.

Here's a few photos just for fun 
Sand sculpture, David Bowie aging quote, woman with cigar, Mexico, Cape Foulweather, Oregon, My 1987 photo in Mexico next to a large Olmec head, enroute to Palenque,a Mayan site, last photo. Today - December 30-2022 is my fifth year anniversary of living in Mexico. I had a one way ticket, carry-on, and check in bag. A digital nomad ready for a magical, mystical Mexico adventure. 

 

 The Winter Solstice and Inspiration from Evergreen Trees 

Evergreen trees have special significance, symbolism, and purpose, especially during the season of Winter Solstice. It is a mystical time of year for many traditions. It is a time of darkness and light, birth and rebirth, celebration and reflection, letting go, and restarting in a New Year. 

 

The most ancient trees on the planet (Redwoods) have witnessed this cycle for thousands of years. Even in the darkest and coldest time of the year, when all the other trees have dropped their leaves, the evergreens thrive and keep their life and color. They represent eternal life, that goes on even in the midst of Winter when all the other trees seem "dead."

Our Modern Culture Holiday Tree

For some, the traditional Christmas tree name has been replaced by the name Holiday Tree. Another name could be Sacred Tree. Whatever name you choose freely to call it, the evergreen tree as known in our modern culture can be very inspiring, without even knowing the ancient roots. 

 

The warmth of a lighted tree decorated with ornaments, special items, small gift cards, and an assortment of things that are meaningful to our families and us can be a centerpiece in the living room for all to enjoy. 

 

Gifts are placed under the tree, so it represents a very special place of giving and love between family and friends. It is like an altar for the sacred season and can be like an object of worship for what it represents. Almost everyone loves having an evergreen tree in the living room.

However, just as holiday trees are cut and separated from their roots to be placed in a living room, has our culture been cut off from the ancient symbols of the evergreen tree? Have we been cut off from a connection to the roots and the living energy of the Earth?

Ancient Roots of Tree Symbolism

In the Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien developed tree symbolism in his writings, drawing from ancient traditions and myths.

Pre-Christian roots of tree symbolism, especially at the start of Winter connect with the Winter Solstice celebrations and traditions that are thousands of years old. These roots are still active in the astronomical and astrological significance of the Winter Solstice date, on December 21-22. 

 

In the Southern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is precisely the opposite and occurs on June 21-22. The Summer Solstice in the Southern hemisphere occurs on December 21-22. It might seem hard to believe that there is a Summer solstice going on at the same time as the Winter solstice!

The Earth has both going on at the same time, as opposites, similar to the balance of the circular Yin-Yang symbol. Just like a full moon, the solstices represent a powerful shift in astronomical energy, the darkest or lightest day of the year, depending on which hemisphere you are in.

 

When we connect with ancient traditions and the symbolism of anything sacred, it can empower us to feel inspired that we are connected with the stories, the myths, the metaphors, and the archetypes of ancient tree wisdom in our DNA, our bones, our collective memory, and our souls. The redwoods are the most ancient of evergreen trees and can live for an average of 500-700 years and as long as 2000 years.

I had a profound experience with the redwoods and wrote a separate blog post about it > The Ancient Redwoods Spoke to Me >

What is the symbolism of evergreen trees during the Winter Solstice season that can provide us with reflection and inspiration?

> The evergreens represent eternal life, which goes on even in the midst of Winter when all the other trees seem "dead." Egyptians viewed evergreens as a sign of victory over death and brought greens into their homes during the Winter Solstice.

> The evergreen trees also are connected to the Green Man mythology and archetype, which honors the Earth, especially the plant kingdom.

> Trees in general and evergreens during the Winter Solstice season not only are symbols but contain their spirit connected to the Divine Spirit within all things.

> Holly and mistletoe are also evergreens that thrive in Winter, have their traditions, and are associated with using evergreen trees during the season.

 

Beyond symbolism, evergreen pines have been used as sacred medicine for thousands of years by indigenous tribes. In an article titled "A Winter Shrine to the Sacred Pine," different parts of the tree are described as having medicinal properties and provide some basic recipes such as pine needle tea. 

"What we don’t often realize is that pine, spruce, and fir trees are powerful native medicines that hold many gifts for our mind, body, and spirit. 

I was stringing up lights around our Christmas tree (a potted pine) yesterday when it dawned on me. Whoa, we’re actually honoring sacred tree medicine right in the middle of our house." full story>

(reference: http://www.thesacredscience.com/a-winter-shrine-to-the-sacred-pine/  )

In this sacred season, it is inspiring to acknowledge the deeper symbolism and meaning of evergreen trees. 

 

Especially at the Winter Solstice, the symbolism of evergreen trees can remind us to celebrate life, with inspiration, love, and gratitude within this season and all seasons.

inspiration from The Crab Nebula - A Supernova Remnant

 

The Crab Nebula - -a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula - is 6500 light years from Earth. One light year is 5.88 trillion miles. The distance that light travels in a vacuum for one year. When we reference "the universe", it is so far beyond what we can seem to imagine. The possibilities are infinite. The creation is amazing and awe-inspiring. Imagine what types of intelligence has evolved out there with technology 1000 times or more advanced than our own. Past-present-future merging into the eternal now. Other dimensions beyond measurable time. Consciousness expanding here and hereafter. And we think we have it all figured out