#9 Liftoff!

So yesterday we talked about the need to catch some wins for your magic touch to really go anywhere. But we talked about how wins, although they can strike a spark, serve as mostly just fuel. But the next question is how do you get up and get moving? I guess what I’m really asking is how do we make the most of our inspiration? How do we live an inspired life, using our fuel like a tool instead of having it become a detriment? I know I have been a bit vague throughout this series, so I’m going to try to really reel it back in today.

I think there's wisdom in knowing when to really take off running. The person you are inspired to be may not fit best in every situation. It might bring you life to be loud and outgoing, and while there’s a time and place to be like that, you might find that there is also a time and place not to be. You may be able to take charge of a big group of people and control a crowd, but you wouldn’t be very welcome at a library. It takes some wisdom and insight to pay attention to a room and to see how to play things. 

But that’s the thing: most situations aren’t so polarizing. Those are just the rare extremes. Most of the time, we can be ourselves and let the room react to us being us. Unless you’re an extreme case, there’s nothing wrong with being your oddball, goofy self. And if people don’t like it, then maybe they aren’t the right people to be around.

But I think the biggest thing is to slow down and look at how we want to focus our passion. As much as I love writing, I don’t spend every waking moment acting like a writer. No, I simply write a page a day, and let the rest of my life unfold naturally. I don’t go out to my job and feel the need to give new insights to others. I don’t feel like I have to impress anyone, or be anything special all of the time. I simply write a lot, and let the natural effects of that take their toll.

I think we get the impression that we all have to be like Lewis, showing off our weirdness all of the time. Sure, it’s good to be able to express yourself and to make your life more fun in doing so. But passion must be given some breathing room as well. Not every moment of our lives will be an inspired one. Even in your most inspired seasons of life, you may get annoyed from time to time (like I am with my cat who insists on jumping into my lap, only to dig into my leg. Why, oh why, does he do that?!?!)

So I think that’s the key to living a beautifully inspired life is to stop trying to force ourselves into one. Let some moments be dull and ordinary, and others be filled with wonder and excitement. Because you know what will start happening? Your “ordinary” moments will become times of anticipation, eagerly awaiting the next magical moment. Maybe magic moments will start finding you, filling in the cracks of your life where you didn’t think you would find them. I know I have had this start to happen to me in my life. You never know until you just let go. So I pray you learn to just let go.

That you find the courage to take a deep breath, step back and use your time well. I pray you find an outlet for your passions, and that they creep in and slowly take over the life as you know it. I pray passion and inspiration find you this day, and that they fill you with a vibrancy you have never known before. 

Until next time

May Peace be your Guide.