Inspiration, or aspiration, is all around us it seems. We are bombarded with ideas and ideals about what we should want, how we should look, what makes a ‘perfect’ home, outfit, dinner or relationship. And you know what? I say phooey to most of that!! Phooey! 

Don’t misunderstand me, I love a great cushion, handy kitchen tip or jazzy accessorising idea as much as the next gal, but I am not striving for ‘perfect’.  Phooey to that! 

When I think about people who inspire me, I see quite a few people in my mind. They are people I know well, and people I have met once or twice, and some I’ve never met, they include people I am pals with on social media, or have read about. 

These inspiring people are a really great cross-section of society – doctors and dreamers, travellers and homebodies, adventurers and safety conscious types, extroverts, introverts, crafty types, cooks, strivers, slackers, and on and on the descriptors go. 

Know what they have in common? 

They are following their passions. They know themselves. They may even have little crushes on themselves, though some would cry foul at such a suggestion. 

I find people who are able to forge their own paths super inspiring. That doesn’t mean hiking through Alaska if that’s not your thing, it doesn’t mean opting out of the rat race if you thrive on deal making and business. What it means is that the voices outside of these inspiring people – well meaning (or just plain negative) family, media, expectations of gender, social status, conformity, are not the most powerful voices they hear. 

They listen to themselves. 

To the voice that says, I’m going to study medicine, it’s going to be hard, but I can do it. I want to be a doctor. 

To the voice that says, it’s going to break my heart, but I know I need to walk away from this relationship. 

To the voice that says, I can’t keep up this pace, I need to slow down. 

To the voice that says, maybe that teacher was just a miserable dolt, and I have a way with words, or painting, or science. 

To the voice that urges them to try again, to walk away, to give more, to ask for help. 

To the voice that says, it isn’t about the bank balance, the car I drive or my postcode, I’m going to scale back and see if that makes room for more of what I really want. I’m scared, but not as scared as I am of never trying. 

Yep, that’s inspiring stuff. 

Tomorrow I’m going to a fun craft workshop with some people who I believe are also on this journey – people who are tuning in to their own voices and having a crack at following their passions. I love that. There will be experts and novices, klutzes and people with a fine touch, and we will all make something beautiful together. 

That’s inspiring. 

What about you? Who are you inspired by? 

What’s your inner voice telling you? Are you listening? I hope so. 

 

 

Annette xx