Inspiration

Thursday is my blog post day. I made a promise to myself that on Thursdays I post my blog that I have (hopefully) written earlier in the week. This week I have not been feeling super inspired or creative so I asked my husband what he thought I should write about this week and he said, “Inspiration”.

Who better to write about inspiration than the uninspired? (I’m only partly kidding) Oh, how I love the word inspire. It’s one of those words that warms my Soul. The word inspire can be defined as “fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.” Perhaps I feel such an affinity for this word because I feel it so fully encompasses what I feel my purpose is.

For me, inspiring others to embrace their true authentic self with love and compassion is my highest ideal. Connecting back to this idea helps me open myself to the creative flow of the Universe.

Here are a few ways that you can find inspiration:

Share your passion- For me, nothing fires me up like teaching. I can be working one on one with a rider in a lesson or teaching in a group setting. I can be sharing my passion of riding and training, or, spiritual and personal development principles. It’s that energy transference between teacher and student that I find thrilling, especially when the student understands something that they may have previously struggled with. What’s your passion? Share your creativity with others. Show your paintings to some friends or let someone close to you read your poetry, not for the external validation but for the good of putting your creation out to the world.

Allow others to share their passion- Find a riding instructor that is passionate about teaching. Not all great riders are great teachers so find someone that you feel has both a riding and teaching philosophy you can believe in. Go on a retreat or sign up to attend a lecture or motivational speaker. Try to find someone that is passionate about their craft and open yourself to their enthusiasm. Positive energy is contagious!

Read something inspiring- This one, perhaps, seems obvious but sometimes when you are feeling overwhelmed and lacking inspiration or motivation to ride, write, work out etc... reading someone else’s experiences about it can certainly help give you a boost. If you struggle getting yourself out to the barn to ride, consider reading The Ethics and Passion of Dressage by Charles de Kunffy or Riding Towards the Light by Paul Belasik. If you struggle getting inspired to write, read a few passages from your favorite author. If you write poetry, read some poems to get in the rhythmic flow.

Listen to someone inspiring- Who inspires you? See if you can find a YouTube video of them speaking or a podcast that you can listen to when driving to work. Go audit a clinic of your favorite instructor or watch them coach on video. When I need a little energy and inspiration boost, I like to listen to Inspire Nation, a podcast that features inspirational authors, spiritual leaders, athletes and entrepreneurs. When I really want to get into a flow for a writing topic a little more spiritual in nature, I like to listen to Matt Kahn and Pema Chodran.

Join a community- Join a community of like minded people! You’ll see this one come up time and time again because in this world that is more and more technologically connected, people are more disconnected than ever. Join a barn that has a great vibe or join a moms group or a church. If you write, join a writers group. If you love to dance, join others that also love to dance. Get in on that great group energy!

Get moving- Even if you don’t feel inspired to write, write anyway. If you don’t feel like going to the gym even though you said you would, go anyway. Get out of the house. Take a walk in nature or go ride your horse. Half the battle is just getting started. Once you start, you gain momentum. You never know when that beautiful divine inspired creativity will hit you- you might as well have pen or paintbrush in hand!

Finally, breathe, take time for yourself. Listen to your heart. If it says take a break, take it. It’s 100% ok and natural to not be inspired, motivated and enthusiastic all the time. When you feel blah and like sitting around and watching Netflix, it’s ok! Do it. Reset and you’ll be surprised that your creative juices often flow again after a break.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Show yourself love and patience when you’re struggling and when you do feel inspired, girl, share it with the world!!!

You are the only one with the gifts you have to offer the world. Express yourself, share your passions and love abundantly!

I invite you to Awaken to the Truth of your Divine nature. You are love, you are loved and you are always enough.

Jenna