Inspiration

Finding your own inspiration is easier than you may think. for me, I can do one of the following for inspiration.

For inspiration to write non-fiction
I may read acticles or other informative sources on the subject of interest.
I may think of a topic to write about, and then just write out my opinion of the subject.

These two things give me a concrete starting point and open the door to add more information as it comes up.

For inspiration to write fiction
I may read a novel (or three) from the genre I want to write about

For the novel I started for NaNoWriMo, I was reading Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. It is a very different and unique perspective on the fantasy genre and it really piqued my interest

I may listen to upbeat music

A lot of people can listen to music with no lyrics to hype up ttheir creative energy. Personally, I can't focus on anything to 98% of wordless music. I'll just play anything upbeat. My playlist right now includes Glee, Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, and many many others. It keeps my mind active and since I only listen to it passively the lyrics don't end up in my work.

This works with some non-fiction as well, but it depends more on the subject.

For other important things that involve action

Usually I really have to think of what I call a "consequence worksheet." This is rarely actually a 'worksheet' in that it is usually in my head and not written down or typed up. I will pick an action that I want to do, for example: yoga, and I work out the positive and negative repercussions of completing or not completing the action.
I have only begun doing this consciously recently and I am still experimenting with following through on optional consequences.

Other things I do to stay inspired

I will write out lists of thoughts and ideas, often giving each individual thought at least two full pages for full expression.
I am trying to meditate and expand my abilities of this skill. I am told it is learnable, so I try it. It does seem to help.
I also will talk to my wife. I will confess that many posts, musings, and rambles are based on conversations that her and I have had that cause the ideas and words to bubble around in my mind until I express them through the written word.

What do you do to inspire yourself? It can be for something as simple as getting up in the morning and eating breakfast. Or something as complex as bringing yourself to start programming a huge computer program. Or anything in between.

What keeps you going when you don't want to do anything?

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Adopting Simplicity: I could never...

When you hear people mention simplifying or minimizing, is your first though I could never live without (insert object/service here)? I know I used to.

But it's really not that frightening or traumatizing to go without things that you may have become accustomed to. Take your cell phone for example. I carry my cell phone everywhere with me. I have it at work, I have it at home, and it's next to the bed while I'm sleeping. Do you think that I could live without it? It would be difficult, that is for sure, but I could manage.

But how? How could I bring myself to go without something that is currently an integral part of my daily routine?

Simple. I lived without being constantly connected to the world via telephone communication, and I could surely do it again. Cellular phones only picked up really big in the last 15-20 years. Now look where we are, there are 6 year olds out there with cell phones.

Crazy, I hear you say, what could a 6 year old possibly need with a cell phone? Believe me, I asked myself the same question. Believe it or not, it's a simple answer. His/her parents thought that the kid might need to get a hold of it, and thought little Jimmy/Jane was too good to be 'forced' to use the school's phone. Now, this general situation may not be all encompassing, I'm sure that each parent has a very good excuse for giving their dependent and non-self sufficient child a cell phone.

But the simple fact is this: it's just an excuse. There is no real good reason for a child so young they are not even capable of crossing the street alone to have a cell phone.

This is only one example of course, but look at the things you have in your life. Before you start thinking I could never live without ... think about why not. Why couldn't you live without it?

Why can't you live without cable television? Because reality is too much to handle? Or because you need a way to 'relax' after work? There are so many wonderful things to experience in the world.

Don't waste your time and energy on things that don't contribute positively to your life.

Go out and live your life. Relax in the fresh air and allow your senses to take in and be encompassed by the world around you. There is more out there than can ever be seen, but that is no reason to not try.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy my Adopting Simplicity series? Here is a list of other posts from this series:
Step 1
Ask yourself this...
Be Here Now
Three important things per day
Simplify your holidays by adding depth

Do things for yourself

Stop right now. Stop whatever you're doing.

Think about what you're doing. Is it for you, or is it for someone else?

When was the last time you did something for yourself?

Can you remember?

Well, I want you to do something for yourself. Right now.

Eat something you enjoy. Write something you want to write. Give yourself 15 minutes to relax in silence. Listen to some music. Whatever you like.

Just do it.

It'll feel good, and you'll feel better.

You spend all day trying to do things for other people. Who is more important to you than yourself? If you answer anything other than "ME!" you have your priorities mixed up. Even if you have a baby, or a child, or whatever else, YOU are still the most important.

Why?

Because if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to help other as effectively, and you'll burn yourself out. Then who will help those you were helping?

So take some time and do something just for you.

You won't regret it.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Personal health tips to avoid the flu

With flu season beginning to bear it's ugly head, and myself just getting over a nasty cold, I figured I would share my thoughts on germophobia.

Keep in mind, these are my personal views, and if you don't like them, that's fine.

1. Hand sanitizer is a waste of money. It's cold, feels gross on your hands, makes you smell like a booze-hound, and is overall bad for you immune system.

Why? Because your body needs to maintain a certain number of bacteria to balance it's own system, and to keep your immune system in check. Using hand sanitizer just kills off all the bacteria, making your system start fresh. With consistent use, it also tells your body that it doesn't need to create those anti-bacterical systems, and lowers your own personal immune system. Just wash your hands regularly with plain soap (not that antibacterial junk).

2. Keep warm. I know, technically you don't get sick by being cold. But it certainly doesn't make you feel any better! Throw on an extra layer, and your body will thank you. Plus, you'll exert less energy shaking/shivering, and won't lose hydration so quickly.

3. Drink your liquids!!! This has to be the worst thing that people don't do when they're feeling ill. They stop drinking. Worst thing. Ever. Keeping yourself hydrated will make your body continuously flush out all the nasty crap in your system, keeps the good bacteria where they are, and keeps your kidneys and other organs happy. So just drink something.

4. Get your rest where you can. If your body isn't rested, it can't fight off bacteria or other infections. Try to squeeze in at least 7 hours a night, preferably undisturbed. If you're having trouble sleeping, try avoiding caffeine and sugar after 7pm (or approximately 2-3 hours before you're heading to bed) and don't drink too much before bed.

These are just the basics, the commandments, that I follow pretty much year round. Just remember, if you treat your body well, it's more likely to treat you well in return. Give it what it needs, and it will work harder for you.

Peace and health,

Simply Me

More on my personal yoga visit

Since I have time in the morning between when my fiancee leaves and when I have to wake up Emily, I have decided to do yoga in this time instead of go back to sleep.

The upside of this decision is that I am definitely more awake throughout the morning, and I have better energy.

The downside of this is that my legs are very sore right now! I couldn't even finish the tape this morning, my legs were shaking too badly.

Hopefully my strength builds up, and I will be able to do this tape more easily. I've evolved from Gentle Yoga to Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body which is a fair bit harder, but it also has better direction (in my opinion) and also more enlightening poses.

Any preferences in your own personal exercise or yoga routines? Let me know, I'd love to hear.

If you do click the link for Ali MacGraw's Yoga Mind & Body, a small commission goes to me. I would recommend however to always check out second hand shops and libraries for the lowest footprint :)

Unchanges

Eugh, long day. Got my performance review today, took 2 hours. How disappointing to think that I tried hard to work on it, but just don't feel like it's right for me. I try to smile at work and enjoy my time, but it's just so stressful sometimes, and not my idea of a great job. The only reason I'm still there is because I haven't found a better job yet. They say I'm great with people, and great with my co-workers, but I don't have a "management" qualities, and I don't manage the people well. Whatever.

I'm completely exhausted, mentally, physically and emotionally. I don't even know why I'm still awake. But I think I need to put my clothes away, because they're bothering the crap out of me.