Learn, Love ... Inspire

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent. ~ John Donne So true!

Recently I came across a YouTube video clip on my Facebook page of Jonathan and Charlotte ... two British teenagers who took their courage in their hands and entered “Britain’s got Talent”. If you haven’t seen the audition clip you have to watch it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsNlcr4frs4).

This is a case in point, Jonathan is an overweight 17 year old who has little to no self-confidence and self-worth but his 16 year old friend Charlotte believes in him wholeheartedly. And because of that support and belief he ventured out of his shell far enough to audition for the show. Without her love and support, Jonathan would never have done it on his own. It took just one person to believe, for him to take that all important step.

My mom has always told me, “You’re never to old to learn, my girl. Learn all you can while you can.” And that is what I bring to you here ... watch the clip, observe this dynamic in action all around you and learn from it because it is love and inspiration at it’s best!

Let that knowledge you’ve learnt allow you to love yourself, love others and love your life ... warts and all. Life isn’t always easy, I admit, but to me life is always worth it. I am truly blessed to have a terrific husband, an incredible son and wonderful family and friends, who inspire me daily to be a better person. And for that I am truly thankful. Remember when you can be truly thankful for everything that happens in your life ... good, bad or indifferent ... that is when the magic happens. That’s when all manner of opportunities will open up on your path through life.

So, what have you learnt?

Yours in inspiration,

Dorothy

"Muse"-ic

So as a young adult I find myself becoming more and more fascinated with life and all things in it. One of the many topics that I often ponder while I sit alone in my room, listening to music, is how can I inspire the world and it’s very diverse population with my passion in music? As of yet I do not have the answer but it did help me answer a question which has been on my mind for a while now.

How can I relate music and inspiration to one another in my own mind?

And I think I have a way to do so. Musicality is a noun that means sensitivity to, knowledge of, or talent for music and is differentiated by either musical receptivity or musical creativity. The people who are sensitive to, have the knowledge of (even if there are only a few people in the world who don’t), and have a talent for music utilise music regularly. I, for example, cannot go a day without music for if I do I will surely go insane (well that’s my rationalisation for it). Those with musical receptivity are open to music and will listen to it (I know, I know. I’m stating the obvious here. Bear with me if you please.). Those with musical creativity will find a way for their music to reach out and touch others.

Inspiration is the same. Those who are sensitive to it, have the knowledge to use it, and have a talent for using it will ensure that they use it, even if only a little. The ones who have receptivity towards it will become inspired; they will listen to what they are being told and use what they have gleaned. Those who have inspirational creativity will always find ways to inspire people, whether it is for a day, a week, a month or for the rest of their lives. They will not let their light be dimmed. On the contrary, they will help illuminate the path of others.

Music inspires people as much as people inspire one another. Music and inspiration go hand-in-hand as much as cars and engines do.

So I challenge you dear reader. Go out in your day-to-day life and find your inspiracality (Excuse the use of the poetic licence.). Find the music for your soul; whether it is opera, classical music, rap, dubstep, heavy metal, it doesn’t matter. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Live an inspired life. And always remember: Inspired people, living inspired lives, inspire the world ~ Grant Ewels.

Keep feeling the beat.

‘Til next time.

Grant

Surrender and Release

2012 Was a HUGE learning year for me. I started a blog, finished my personal coaching course and qualified with honours, I started a company, I learnt how to set up a website from scratch and so the list continues. Looking back now, I was destined to achieve ... it was, after all, my word for 2012. Part of my learning, as I continue my personal journey to find my inner Goddess, was having a tarot reading for the first time ever. I had always been curious about Tarot and my "sister-of-the-heart" treated me to one in the last quarter of 2012. I took away a number of valuable lessons and thoughts.

The one, however, that stood out the most for me was ... "Surrender and Release". After telling me how I have a tendency to bottle everything up inside and causing myself unnecessary extra stress, I needed to find a way to surrender my worries, fears, anxieties and troubled thoughts and release them to the Divine. "Wow!", I thought, "I've never thought of it that way. Maybe I could give it a try and see how it goes." At this point, I should tell you that I suffer from insomnia when I bottle things up ... doesn't take a genius to figure out why. So I went home, and that night as I was ending my prayers, I tacked on to the end "Please take these worries, fears, anxieties and troubled thoughts from me as I surrender and release them into your safekeeping." It was said with meaning and intent, and let me tell you it worked!

In recent weeks, I have been introspective. I've looked back on 2012 to reflect on all that has been, come and gone. What I have learned; and how I can use these lessons going forward. That's when it hit me! What if I took time to work through the issues I have that keep me trapped in this overweight body and "surrender and release" them to my Divine? This is an issue I have grappled with for many years and high on my priority list of issues to deal with. Surely it would begin to heal the wounds and scars that remain after 38 years of battling with my weight issues? I know I didn't create them, but I have moments where I aid them. What if I just "surrender and release" these issue that I tend to bottle up ... ? I realise that there are probably many people out there who have already come to this conclusion but it has taken me this long to get here. So I encourage you, now, to do the same. Whatever religion you are devoted to; whomever you deem to be your Divine. Surrender and release what no longer serves you but takes up unnecessary space in your head to them. Ask for their help and guidance. I intent to because I know I am worth it. But you know what else I know? I know that you, too, are worth it.

So, with our sight firmly focused on the awesomeness of the new year ahead (for it will, indeed, be an awesome year) give yourself permission to let go of what no longer serves you but continues to weigh you down, both literally and figuratively . After all, change starts with you.

May you be blessed with abundance in this new year ahead ... of love, health, happiness, wealth and wisdom.

Yours in inspiration,

Dorothy