Inspiration can come from two places: Inside and outside ourselves. Inspiration that comes from your own thoughts and from your own experiences is very powerful. But inspiration can come from outside can be a very useful tool for managing your own mental and emotional processes. I’ll leave intrinsic inspiration (from your own being) for another time. Today I am thinking about extrinsic inspiration (that comes from outside you) such as quotes from others as well as other people’s experiences that can inspire you.
I love quotations that inspire me. I enjoy words and phrases that inspire me. I often will re-read passages from a book that have inspired me and become re-inspired all over again.
Sometimes I find it difficult to inspire myself without a little help from someone else. The books don’t have to always carry a positive message. But they can give me ideas on how to move forward through down times and difficulties that may give positive results. One such book, Aging or Ageless, by the late Ron Zeller, a former trainer for Landmark Forum, contained the following quote which helped me through some health challenges. He wrote regarding a choice he made:
“I will end this old and frail existence. I will take charge and recover my youthfulness.” — Ron Zeller, Aging or Ageless, p. 114.
I keep that quote on a 4X6 card taped to the lamp on my desk where it keeps on inspiring me.
Inspiration breeds enthusiasm and personal energy, two of the main ingredients for a positive lifestyle. My wife and I live in a retirement community and are inspired by other people’s stories. I often hear stories about overcoming difficulties, positive episodes in their lives, and what inspired them during their own lives.
Sadly, I sometimes hear stories from people who have allowed life’s difficulties to beat them down and they seem to allow these difficulties to continue without taking the effort to overcome them. They seem to have lost hope. Many have shut themselves off from other people.
The word “HOPE” can mean Hearing Other People’s Experiences. Unfortunately, shutting oneself off from people means a loss of the powerful extrinsic inspiration that can come from hearing those other people’s experiences and stories.
So, part of positive aging and developing the personal energy needed to live a positive and productive senior lifestyle, is to let inspiration come from within as well as from others whose stories can be valuable in the way you think and feel about the way you experience life.
That message inspired me. I hope it inspired you, too. Please let me know in the comments, what outside influences have inspired you in a positive way.
Thank you for reading this SeniorFlow Moment.