The Inspiring

I’m fortunate enough to have an abundance of people in my life who inspire me regularly. And not for the typical reasons. While some get inspired by the uber successful, I try to look at things from a different vantage point. 

Everyone struggles. Everyone. Everyone has their stuff and everyone has their path. In the past, I have struggled with comparing myself to others. They make more money, they’re more successful, they have a better this, they have a better that – they they they.  

I still catch myself doing this from time to time, but when I do, I think of the quote “comparison is the thief of joy.”

And it is.

Who the fuck is they and why do I care so much? I don’t know what their path was, what their struggles are, what they are doing, have done, will do.

None of it is my business. It has nothing to do with me. 

Being the end of the year, I always do a lot of reflection. I’m in a really good place in my life, in all aspects. I love my job, I have a tremendous circle of people in my life, I love where I live, I have my health, my dogs and the list goes on and on.

This wasn’t always the case.  2018/2019 was a really tough time in my life where I found myself hitting an emotional rock bottom. Every day was a struggle to get out of bed and face another day. I have touched upon this in the past, but the reason I keep sharing this is because, at the time, few people had any idea I was struggling that much. Which goes back to my sentiment, you never know what is going on with someone. And if you find yourself struggling, you’re not alone. You’re never alone. Never.

What I found helped me (in addition to seeing a wonderful therapist), was boiling it down to simple terms. Paying attention to what moved the mental needle between feeling good and feeling like shit.  I started staying away from what made me feel bad and moving towards what made me feel good. Paying more attention to the people I surround myself with, the conversations and situations I participate in, what I watched and read (I can’t even watch horror movies and I don’t watch the news), I’ve worked on purging “stuff”.  It’s not always avoidable and there are times I get sucked in, but I’m much more quick to catch myself rather than going down a spiral. It has made a huge impact on my mindset and frankly, my mental health. 

Joy and happiness have more recently become goals of mine. Many think that money can buy happiness. I assure you, some of the most miserable people I know, have more money than they know what to do with. Some of the happiest people I know, live the simplest lives. Happiness is not a constant state. Actually, nothing is a constant state. Everything is temporary, the good and the bad. In my mind, I look at it as a balancing act. Every time I veer towards negativity or the not so great side, I catch myself and think, “whooooooooaaaaa” almost as if I’m about to fall off the tightrope. 

The people who inspire me are the kind, genuine, show their warts, admit their flaws, laugh with you, forgive you, forgive others, try to see all sides of a story, aren’t quick to judge, positive, thinking, open minded, self aware, fighting their own battles and still show kindness. They build up others, help others, cheer for others’ successes –  the ones who have been through hell and back, have risen above it acknowledging their shit storm has made them all the better for it and continue sharing their stories in hopes of helping others. 

In sharing my stories, I have been fortunate to hear so many of yours. The last couple of years has been a journey of inspiration from many of you and have served in my healing. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

And I continue to be incredibly inspired by you.