What inspires you? For some people, it’s motivational quotes or human stories. Me? I like experience, or the idea of an upcoming experience. Pictures help me too. These push me forward and inspire me to challenge myself and find opportunities to learn. Luckily for me, Chris helps me find inspiration and motivation in many ways. And, luckily for him, I have a good sense of humor.
Motivation and inspiration come in many forms. Our goals of getting healthier, retiring early, staying fit and enjoying life are great motivators for me. Seeing Chris happy, makes my heart feel good. He inspires me to be a better person and to push myself in ways I didn’t think were possible.
I have a couple of phobias: I’m terrified of heights (Derek & Heather got to witness my meltdown in person – I WILL conquer that damn bridge in Wenatchee), spiders and clowns. Yeah, I hate clowns…and nutcrackers. Mostly I find them creepy. I don’t find anything about them cute or fun. While I haven’t done much to overcome the clown/nutcracker thing (ok, I’ve done nothing), I DO try to push myself when it comes to heights. I love ziplining. Makes zero sense, right? Oh, and I want to skydive…Chris thinks I’m nuts. He’ll zipline with me but doesn’t understand the skydive thing. Not sure I do either but, you never know! I draw the line at bungee jumping, base-jumping and hang-gliding. None of those hold any interest for me.
My point to the phobias is this: I am motivated to do better and try new things (ziplining, skydiving etc..) to try to overcome fears. Spiders…they are fine if outside. The second they are in our house and I see them? War. And they will lose. I’m very much a work in progress when it comes to conquering my fears.
Because of our goals, I’m motivated to learn new things too. At the end of September, Chris and I started taking Spanish classes and I’m looking into a TEFL course to teach English abroad. To me, that’s scary, but I feel I’ll learn more from those I’m “teaching” than the students will ever learn from me.
In some ways, my fear of heights motivates me to conquer it. My desire to learn and grow stopped me from being afraid to write this blog. It is stories, pictures, music, experiences and learning, that motivate me to reach for my goals. I’m lucky that my husband supports me and inspires me reach for the stars – also helpful when our individual goals align so much with each other.
What or who, inspires you? Are you motivated to reach for the stars? What fear is holding you back and are you trying to conquer it?
Heights are the scariest for me even though being a bird seems really kindred, like being up there is ok, to be free and soar. I have yet to understand this fear of heights and where in my psyche it comes from. Possibly A past life as male competitive climber in Switzerland had a great fall trying to impress his love and parished, never again to climb so height metaphorically. I suppose mind over heart. My heart would love to flap wings and travel by air. Which brings me to inspiration. All nature, especially the wilderness gives me such inner joy. Examination of each rock, tree and river. The pulse of wild things reminds me I’m alive and grateful. I wish my legs worked better at age 55.(past life reference) I miss hiking so much. I still drive up to sit and take in the beauty every chance I get. Being a wildcrafter, I get so excited to gather wild plants for medicine. The inspiration to seek,play and learn from nature keeps me grounded and spiritual young.
Annie, I love your heart and amazing way of connecting with everything around you. Always makes me feel good to hear from you and/or see you!