Ways to Finding Inspiration on a Daily Basis
We’ve all been there–those days where you just want to hit the restart button or curl up in a warm blanket and take a break from the world. Those days where you say to yourself–“Not today–maybe tomorrow.” And we’ve all witnessed those times where these emotions spill into our whole entire week/month/year, instead of it being “just one of those days.” I want to share with you this week, ways of finding daily inspiration that will help you rediscover the power that you do have within you. You are not a victim to how you’re feeling, but rather you can take those emotions and enable them to empower you and show your true strengths. The methods that I will discuss can be applied to any area of your life and to almost any emotion you’re undergoing. And especially since the holidays (which can be stressful), are just around the corner–these daily inspirations might be the best gift you can give yourself.
Understanding What You’re Feeling: In order to find daily inspiration, you must first understand the origin of your emotions. In Metaphysical Studies (a branch of philosophy that explains the fundamental nature of reality as “being” and the world that encompasses it), one learns how to keep track of their emotions and where they can lead to next. Esther Hicks, motivational, metaphysical speaker and author has mentioned that we all have an emotional guidance system. It’s a scale of emotions that we experience every day. Think of this system as a GPS for humans. How you are feeling on the scale directs you toward what’s going on at the present moment in your life. It’s like receiving red flags of awareness for what you need to change in your life or confirming that you’re on the right path.
Below is Esther Hicks Emotional Guidance System Scale. You’ll notice that “joy” is the highest sensation on the scale and “fear” is the lowest sensitivity. Various emotions are arranged in order from the highest feeling thoughts to the lowest-feeling thoughts. This scale can be used as a tool to know where your emotions currently reside and what you should strive toward in moving up the scale.
1. Joy/Knowledge/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation 2. Passion 3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness 4. Positive Expectation/Belief 5. Optimism 6. Hopefulness 7. Contentment 8. Boredom 9. Pessimism 10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience 11. Overwhelment 12. Disappointment 13. Doubt 14. Worry 15. Blame 16. Discouragement 17. Anger 18. Revenge 19. Hatred/Rage 20. Jealousy 21. Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness 22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair/Powerlessness
How to Use the Emotional Guidance Scale:
• First, acknowledge which emotion(s) you are currently feeling on the list • Second, identify why you are feeling this emotion. Write down on a piece of paper or draw a chart and map out all the events that happened to you in the day or so far in that day. Create a time line of when these emotions have occurred. What has sparked you to feel the way you are feeling? For instance, did it start in the morning? Was it something that was said to you and then caused a snowball effect of other things that bothered you later in the day? It is here you learn the true essence of what is bothering you. • Third, once you know which emotion you are feeling, Locate where this emotion(s) is on the scale and see what the next higher emotion is to strive toward feeling better. For example, if you are currently feeling “blame” you would want to work toward what is above the emotion of blame. So for instance: Why do you feel blame? What are you worried about? What are your doubts? What disappoints you and so on up the scale?
Please note, it isn’t an immediate jump from “Blame to Joy”. You have to go through the motions of what you’re feeling and all the in-between. It’s a gradual climb. Masking how you feel or denying what you’re feeling only prolongs your healing process. The goal is to be honest with what you’re feeling and to not be ashamed if you are feeling any of the lower moods. This scale will show you that there is always hope and a new day– another chance to feel better.
Moving Up the Scale with Daily Inspiration: In order to gradually move up the Emotional Guidance System Scale, you can practice any or all of the following methods. Remember to move at your own pace and do what makes you feel comfortable.
Prayers: The power of prayer can bring many miracles and blessings into your life if you’re willing and open to receiving them. And the best part of saying prayers is that you don’t need to set up a special time for them, or for prayers to be recited in a certain format. For instance, I say prayers on the bus, when I’m driving, when I’m cleaning the house, etc.,—whenever I want to have a moment. Prayers aren’t limited to a specific place. Whatever your religion may be, you can always make time for prayers. You can pray for guidance to receive distinct, consistent and familiar signs that will help you know how to move forward—and the best people to interact with on your road to inspiration. You can pray for strength, comfort, love, patience, etc., to fill your days.
What Are You Grateful For?: Start each morning by thinking of at least five things that you are thankful for in your life. If you can only think of one thing—it’s okay—as long as you start somewhere. You can increase the amount of things you are thankful for each day—it’s all up to you. Why focus on what you’re thankful for? When you place your attention more on the mistakes-the mishaps-the unfortunate circumstances in your life, you only attract more of those situations instead of the happier occurrences you’d rather connect with. However, when you look for the blessings in your life, you will notice that you are surrounded more by happiness than you think, and more good is attracted to you. Taking the time to recognize what you are grateful for enables you to elevate your mood which gives you more to look forward to in your day. You can be thankful for your health, family, friends, relationships, career, being safe while traveling, experiencing a kind gesture from a stranger, etc. I do this every morning and I must say, on and off day when I don’t do it, I do feel my energy off a bit.
Shielding Yourself: Shielding yourself is a way to block out any negative or lower energy that may drain you from accomplishing what you want in life. Shielding is something you can do as part of your prayers or in meditation—which we will get to in a bit. Before you start your day, take a moment to sit and think of what your intentions are for that day. What do you desire to accomplish or what do you want to improve on. Then, sit and envision a shield of light surrounding your entire body and being. The light can be of any color you’d like or it can be white. In this protective space that you’ve created, put forth your request in setting the tone of the day. You can affirm, “Today, I only welcome peace and happiness into my life,” or “I’m willing to live my life purpose with integrity.” You can say whatever it is that pertains to what you’re trying to accomplish in life.
Meditation: This is quiet time—“you time,” that must be experienced either at home, or outside where there are no loud distractions. Meditating in nature is most beneficial because you are drawing from the most organic elements. Unlike prayers where you are talking and reflecting, meditation is that moment in time where you silently go within to receive guidance and inspiration. Before going into meditation, you can think of what your intentions are and then once in meditation—just relax and let yourself be. During meditation you are quieting the mind and just being in the moment. Meditation is not something you just jump into—it’s also a gradual method to get accustomed to. You can start by sitting at least for five minutes in a comfortable chair or a yoga mat. You can light scented candles (of course being safe), play soft music and try to train your mind from not focusing on thoughts such as, “Did I turn off the toaster?” or “I wonder when my friend will call me back.”
The point is to let those distractions fall to the side and rely on your inner energy to center and ground you. Progressively, you can increase the length of time you meditate. After meditation, you will start to feel in time—a sense of serenity and lightness—less drama in your life.
Vision Boards: I absolutely love this method! I’m a very visual person and this helps boost my morale and map out what I’m trying to achieve in life. Before my first book was published, I thumbtacked to my board the title of my book and my name. I set the intention and put energy out to the universe of what I wanted to accomplish. With divine timing and my own hard work, my manuscript became a reality. You can create a vision board with pictures as well that you either draw or cut out from magazines. It can be anything that brings happiness to your heart and will benefit your growth in life.
Hobbies: What is it that brings you peace, quiets your mind or revs up your mood after a long day or week? Is it sewing/crocheting, bowling, detailing cars, collecting pins/stamps, fishing, gardening, boating, carpentry, painting glasses, camping, martial arts, model ship building, creating photo books, etc. Whatever it is, rediscover your interests and incorporate those into your daily routine or at least twice a week. You’ll notice when building a commitment to your hobbies, your giving yourself something to look forward to each day/week.
Go Outside!: If you live by the beach, near a park, have time for a road trip, hiking, camping, gardening, canoeing, surfing, bicycle riding, skate boarding—get out there and do any of these activities and others you come across. The more active you are—especially in nature—the more energetic you will feel. Nature is the most natural energy booster and motivator. It cleanses and purifies your being. You become one with getting back to the basics in life—a time to recharge and rejuvenate. I always feel I have a more positive perspective on things in my life especially after I’ve walked in the park or take a mini vacation to a beach town.
Get Creative!: Explore all and any creative outlets such as short story writing, poetry writing, drawing, painting classes, sculpting, ceramics, dance classes, gym classes, yoga, pilates, joining a book club, photography, cooking, guitar/piano/saxophone lessons, etc. Letting your creative side run free is an excellent way for you to unblock and release stale energies that are around you that prevent you from being inspired. Getting connected with your creative side enables you to meet new people who share similar interests and can also motivate you along this path.
Listen to Music: I love listening to music when I’m writing and painting because not only does music help me relieve stress, but the melodies open up new worlds of possibilities for me. Ever notice there are certain songs you listen to repeatedly—especially when you recite the chorus? Turn those songs into your mantras as a way to inspire you throughout your day or through a crucial point in your life. Listen to upbeat songs as you get ready in the morning. Listen to calmer music at night to help you ease into sleep.
Choose Your Websites Wisely: Going online for research or for the occasional shopping need is fine from time-to-time, but sometimes the negativity that runs rapid on certain sites can be the opposite of encouraging for your mental and emotional state. Sometimes taking a mini break from social media and spending time outdoors or reading a book is healthier in drawing in the right energy around you. However, you can filter out what sites are the best to focus on. Sites like The Muddled Millennial which help empower its readers are the sites that are more beneficial to you than those that just stir up drama.
Affirmations: This is probably one of the most powerful ways to boost your morale and help you stay motivated. There are plenty of books out there that are devoted to specific affirmations to focus on. You can even create your own that centers on what you want to achieve or feel better about. Once you’ve found or created a powerful affirmation, you can tape it to your mirror/door, keep it by your nightstand, frame it, etc. There’s no limit to what you can do with affirmations. Examples of Affirmations would be “I’m lovingly assertive.” “My life is full of abundance” “I have the power within me to make every day the best.”
For more examples/information on affirmations, you can check out my blog https://aerobicaffirmations.blogspot.com
Bring Nature into Your Home: Sometimes if the weather doesn’t permit to be outside, you can bring the outside elements into your home. Keep plants inside, especially flowers by your nightstand. Naturopath studies show the benefits through healing properties of various species of flowers. Take sea salt baths if you can’t get to the beach. These baths are very purifying. Listen to nature music. Dan Gibson’s Solitudes Collections is one of my personal favs which features beautiful, tranquil melodies with detailed nature sounds in the background. I recommend his Seaside Retreat CD.
Join Support Groups: Sometimes you just need that extra guided support from a group and that is not a problem at all. It’s in these group settings where you meet such wonderful people and can learn so much about each other and your own strengths. You grow and develop new concepts on life and you’re never alone. There is nothing to be embarrassed about because you are doing something for the greater health of your well-being. Anything that positively and safely increases how you feel about yourself is the best road toward inspiration.
Family/Friends/Coworkers: Lastly, but certainly never least, your family, friends, coworkers even some public figures you see on television can be the best source of inspiration for you. These are the people that have the best intentions at heart for you and truly want to see you move forward in life. Seek out their advice and take what feels right to incorporate into your life. Spend time together doing things that are creative, fun, loving, new, etc. Watch funny movies together that will guarantee to make you laugh. Spend more time with your children doing outside activities or set up game nights during the week. Children are the best examples of inspiration–reminding us what it means to be carefree, trusting, loving, playful, and creative.