Inspire:
fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Also, motivate, encourage, influence, move or stir.
There are many people in my life who inspire me, who encourage and motivate me.
My husband. My mom. Friends. Even strangers.
On an athletic level I admire so many athletes. Although I am far from the league they are in, there is a common thread ( I believe) no matter what our level of athleticism.
Determination. Focus. Perseverance. Tenacity. Intensity. Drive. Hunger. Passion. Goal driven. An unwillingness to stay the same but to constantly be improving on where we are.
A spirit that never quits and doesn’t know the meaning of it.
I see individuals who haven’t been willing to stay where they are but push to get better, to work harder, to know they won’t be the same months from now.
I want to be like that.
That inspires me. The “me” who is a kinda ordinary, middle-aged mom, grandmother, sassy wife, and late blooming athlete.
My husband often shoots me down when I used the word “ordinary”… ha… he says I’m anything but ordinary… I’ll take that for the compliment I know it is 😉
When I have people tell me I inspire them, well, that’s up there for me on the list of awesome things. If I can inspire people who know me and know what I’m up to with my physical antics, to get out and do something, I couldn’t ask for anything better. If sharing what I’m doing stirs them, makes them think, “Hey, if she can do that, I can try something”
Yeah, amazing.
But you know who really inspires me?
You.
The one who is still in the process of getting yourself out there. It doesn’t come easy yet and you struggle with making yourself do it, but you do.
The one who is willing to try something new, knows nothing about it, but is game to learn.
The Mom out pushing a stroller.
The older people walking their neighborhoods.
The cyclists flying down the road for miles.
The new runner who is still figuring it out and learning to run more than walk.
The overweight person taking those first steps towards physical freedom.
I’m inspired by those of you who follow my blog, and I see the things you’re out in the world doing and it makes me want to press on. You run, cycle, teach, lead, and inspire in your own worlds. You’re on the road, in the gym, doing boot camps and other crazy things.
Sometimes, as I scroll through my Facebook page, I see posts of my friends who are sharing their activities. I love the posts and pictures. I love seeing them doing something positive and good for themselves.
Seriously, some mornings when I’m still sleepy and the idea of exercise seems…. really tremendous… I’ll see someone’s post and it … inspires me. It reminds me of what I’m working to do, to accomplish. And it motivates me to finish off my coffee, get my gear on, and get moving.
Maybe, just maybe, that inspiring thing goes in both directions.
Don’t ever forget, you have great influence within your own circle that surrounds you. Your passion and what you bring to the table can inspire someone around you, never forget that.
As for me, you’ll find me out on the road, doing something always pushing and working a little harder and wanting a little more and never quite settling for where I’m at.
In the end, if what I do has inspired you, that puts joy in my life knowing I’ve made an impact on others.
Do you ever consider the impact you have on your personal world to inspire others?
sassyfitnesschick 