What Inspires You?

My friend McCall over at Lee, Me and the Girls recently asked the question, "Who inspires you to be and do better?" I have been pondering the answer to this question for a couple days now. It's a little more complicated than it looks.

I am inspired everyday by something a little bit different. Being a writer, I read a lot and I love blogs. So often it's other people's musings that inspire me to do better. I read about the good they are doing, raising their children, helping Africa, and amazing things that I just wish I could do. I usually feel quite ordinary after reading all of their inspiring posts.

My editor Bonnie is a good source of inspiration. She is a very intelligent and talented woman, who is raising her first child (who will turn one in a month! omg!!) being an amazing wife to her husband, volunteering her time to help women and children in need through Junior Auxiliary, being a great friend to me in times when I think the world is crashing down, and many other unbelievable things that have me convinced some days she is Wonder Woman.

And of course, my dad inspires me to be a better person all of the time. He has been through so many ups and downs and had his Faith tested regularly. Yet he always perseveres. He holds his head high and truly believes that God has a plan that will be revealed in due time. He follows the belief that everything happens for a reason. He is an immensely strong man. I admire him in so many ways. Some days I have no idea how he manages to keep his cool. I am definitely the hot-headed type. I simmer and fume. He forgives and forgets.

Sometimes though, I find you just have to inspire yourself to be and do better. It's not always an easy thing, but living a life you can be proud of is an inspiring feat in itself. Allow yourself to be proud of the things you do, like service to others, or kind words in passing. Sometimes just reminding yourself to smile is all the inspiration you need.

Thanks McCall for posing this question.