Ask Mikey: Take the time to be inspired

Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper
May 16, 2011

When was the last time you sat on your patio with a hot cup of tea and just watched the clouds move across the sky? Or curled up below a tree only to read an inspiring book that made you want to become a better person? When was the last time you came across a quote that you read from a newspaper, or your child's English paper, or even from an advertisement or movie that made you just stop and think about it for a moment?

Tiny moments or little "time-outs" like these are very relaxing and can remind us all of the truly wonderful things in life that are surrounding us even when we don't look up and see them in our busy day-to-day lives. It can remind us that we don't need significant life events to be the only outlet we have to be inspired but that we can find inspiration in the little things that are all around us.

We can get inspiration from a variety of sources; from nature, materialistic things, books, people we know and even people we don't know. For example, all of the men and women that serve in the armed forces inspire others with their bravery, sacrifice, loyalty, courage and honor. People who we read about in the local newspaper that did something truly inspiring in the community whether they are famous, well known, or someone we have never heard of before can inspire us.

Aside from the little things that can bring some inspiration to our lives, we can also be inspired by the people around us. Perhaps you know someone in your life that inspires you for their courage or bravery, or because they work hard and don't ever give up when the going gets tough. Maybe the way they live their life has inspired you to do better and be better in yours.

Surround yourself around whatever works for you that helps you to be inspired. Being inspired is a good thing, and we can never get too much of a little inspiration in our lives.