Inspired

So today I had the privelege of watching a video on youtube. It was the story of one guy and how he overcame his weight problem through action. A truly an inspiring video that I went on to share it with many of my friends. It would seem that everyone who saw it was inspired. I think for me it was the simple message he was putting forward. "If you want to do it, then just do it." This is how I want to live. See the video here...

So I decided, feeling motivated and inspired, to go running again tonight. Really the video didn't inspire the run, since I had already been planning on a run however I was moved and decided to set a goal farther than I had before. Years ago when I was running I did longer distances than I have been able to lately in my running. I decided to dig deep and go a farther distance because if I choose it I can do it. So I told the world (thanks FaceBook) that I was going to go run five miles. It was the video and the knowledge that I had made a commitment that allowed me to do it. In fact the running was easy. My mind was set. And I ran and I thought about inspiration.

What is it to be inspired? I think that just about anything can cause inspiration if you are looking for it. I have a folder, for example, of men that are in good physical shape similar to my body type that I use to inspire myself into my own weight loss. The weather can inspire me to take a trip to the park. Friends encouraging me to work out with them are inspiring. All of these things CAN inspire and yet normally I don't let them in. I don't look for them to get me moving.

How is it then that a stranger, who I've never met, can not only inspire me but cause me to go farther than I had before. He doesn't even know that he did that! What is it that caused it to sink in? Sure he did something incredible physically with his weight loss. That alone is impressive. However, I think it is what he is proving about his mental power that truly inspired and moved me. Watching the video one friend said, "Wow he could hurt himself running with all of that weight!" And I thought that this reaction is the point. He didn't listen to the shouldn't and can't comments. He decided to change and he did. And happiness ensued. Life is good. (I love that even that is in the video). Anyone who has tackled change in their life knows that the ultimate challenge is to overcome the doubt in our own minds. Going against what we are told or convinced ourselves to believe and truly make the change happen is monumental. This is how his story inspired me.

I think that the challenge of getting motivated is to find these inspirations in everyday life. Seeing a person jogging after school, because that is the only point in the day that they have the time, should make me  respond with realizing that I too should make things a priority. Noticing someone who has been able to create change in their life should cause me to realize that I too can be change. And the ultimate inspiration should be the one that we all see in the mirror and forget about. I've done many things that I should be proud of and I should be inspired by... I should be my own inspiration to change and move.

It's time to try Defying gravity 

I think I'll try Defying gravity 

And you can't pull me down!... 

I'm through accepting limits 

'cause someone says they're so 

Some things I cannot change 

But 'till I try, I'll never know! 

Too long I've been afraid of 

Losing love I guess I've lost 

Well, if that's love 

It comes at much too high a cost!  

I'd sooner buy Defying gravity 

Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity 

And you can't pull me down

-Defying Gravity, Wicked

I think my best part of the day was my own inspiration because I didn't stop at five miles but instead went one more to six.