365 Inspirations—135: Inspiration is Always There

"Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation."—Eileen Caddy

 In 2010 I wrote 365 Lessons on my blog and those lessons will become my next book. Here's Lesson 131 titled Inspiration is Always There:

I've heard people say, "I'm waiting for inspiration to come to me." or "I'm waiting to be hit with inspiration." You may be waiting a lifetime. Inspire means to breathe in. You don't wait to breathe in, you just do it. Inspiration can also mean to be "in spirit." For each person that will mean a different thing. For me, it means tuning in to the divine within. Or more simply, "tuning in." Inspiration is always there. The space within you is always there. But it is clouded by thoughts, emotions, and activities. Because the human mind is so cluttered with thoughts, it's very hard to see the inspiration.

So much of life is about "doing" and very little of life is about "being." There is an emphasis in Western culture to do. You can't forget the Nike ads which said, "Just do it." While I do believe action is also part of being, alot of the "do it" that gets us stuck happens in our thoughts. We have "to do" lists and those lists are LONG. Sometimes too long and humanly impossible. We have plans, we want this and that and need to go here or there.

Inspiration is hard to see if the our vessel is full....full of information, full of plans, full of worries, full of ideas, full of ________.

When you empty your vessel, when you start to let go of all those things that are clouding the clarity or emptiness or spirit that exists in you, you will start to feel inspiration again. If you keep your vessel or your inner space clear, you will find that inspiration is always there and it doesn't come from you specifically.

When you are empty, inspiration is able to move through you. Many writers talk about how they have no idea where the words came from. They just sat down and let go and this is what came out. The very act of "trying" to write something inspiring doesn't work. Inspiration comes from space within. If there is no space within you, if you are tired, stressed, overworked and underpaid, unhappy, worried or sick, it will be very hard for you to see the inspiration that is always there.

Keep your vessel clear, leave an empty space within you, clear your calendar, keep a regular walking schedule, pray, do yoga or practice meditation. Find a way to create space for yourself everyday and you will find, if you practice keeping yourself clear, that inspiration is always there. Inspiration doesn't come to you, YOU are IT. Don't try to look for it, just let go, clear a space and "be."

Is inspiration a daily part of your life?

365 Inspirations—134: The VOICE Within

"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail."—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can you hear it?

 Do you pay attention to that little voice inside you, or do you quickly dismiss it and follow along with what is comfortable and known?

Recently that voice within me is becoming louder and louder and ever more distinct. The more I follow its guidance, the more I'm led to exactly where I'm supposed to be.

It isn't always easy. Sometimes I have to let go of things and move away from people, organizations, habits, routines, schedules, places, home, familiarity and even comfort.

Following your inner voice can be scary. It can be downright terrifying!

But what is the alternative?

To do something that no longer makes you happy? To live a life that no longer fits you?

I'm listening to that voice within. It's leading me to places I never thought I'd go. I trust that voice. I am willing to go through the uneasiness and even the suffering to live the life I am meant to live.

Today I honor that voice that is distinctly my own. It is my inspiration this evening.

Do you trust and follow the voice within you?

365 Inspirations—133: Soup of Love....

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup."—Ludwig van Beethoven

Soup. Can it be an inspiration?  I was out of town over the weekend and am still catching my breath. Tonight was rather loooonnnng. Remind me that it's not such a great idea to write blog posts AFTER a 5-hour teaching gig late at night!

I stopped off at the grocery store to pick up miso and tofu because my stomach hurts a little, but I'm hungry. I teach from 4:50pm-9:40pm and don't get home until after 10pm, so I'm often starving.

I walked in the door with all the ingredients to make a hot, soothing bowl of miso soup, but no energy to make it.

My husband agreed to make it while I write this post.

He just walked in my office and handed me the bowl of soup and said, "Here's your soup of LOOOVVVEEEE!"

I can taste the love in the soup! Seriously.

I feel very lucky to have a husband who will make me soup after a long day at the office (he, he!)

It's the little things that really count and I'm so appreciative this evening of this hot bowl of deliciousness sitting next to me that was lovingly prepared by a very kind man.

What are some little things that have made your day? Has anyone done something kind for you lately? Have you done anything kind for someone else?

365 Inspirations—132: There's No Place Like Home....

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow."—Lin Yutang

I know I've written about home before, but it deserves another mention. We had such a great trip, but it's always good to come home and sleep in your own bed. We had to wake up at 4:00 in the morning because we had a flight out of Las Vegas at 7:00 and the shuttle was going to pick us up at 4:50.

As soon as we got home, we hit all our favorite haunts. We had sushi for lunch and while my husband was teaching a yoga class, I went to the Korean supermarket and made him his favorite Korean soup. After dinner, we actually walked around the neighborhood and admired everyone's yard.

Sadly, our yard needs a bit of help. We have two lawnmowers in the garage that are defunct and a weed wacker that blew up right before we left. Yoon got half way done with the backyard when it started smoking and then just stopped.

This weekend, rain or shine, I want to go buy a new mower and get our yard back to the shape it should be in this time of year. My husband Yoon used to LOVE to garden. He did it constantly when we first moved into our house. Now he has such terrible allergies that he doesn't dare try, so I'm going to take a crack at it this coming weekend.

It's a little overcast right now in Seattle and there's a bit of rain. All the plants and flowers are growing wildly, so things need to be pruned or cut, otherwise it gets out of control.

So good to be back and now I'm going to click my heels together like Dorothy and perhaps I'll be transported to my bed! So tired...good night all. More soon!

Did you have a nice weekend? Do you like to spend time at home and in your yard or garden?

365 Inspirations—131: Cirque du Soleil's 'O' Show

“ ‘O’ is liquid magic…”—

Los Angeles Times

I'm posting this early because I won't have internet access tomorrow. We are heading out on the town to see Cirque du Soleil's 'O' show. I've been anticipating this show for a long time. I'll add to this post later and let you know how it was. But for now I'll leave you with a video sneak peek of the show....

Have you ever seen a show that you would recommend? What was inspirational about it?

365 Inspirations—130: You Can Do Yoga Anywhere

"Vegas is purposefully constructed as a self-enclosed and isolated biosphere, sort of what a recreational colony built on the moon might be like."—Marc Cooper

For those of you who haven't guessed yet, we are in Las Vegas. Last Christmas we came here to celebrate Yoon's 40th birthday with some friends and we were so impressed by the Cirque du Soleil shows here (we saw Beatles Love and Zumanity), that we promised each other that we'd come back for our 10th year wedding anniversary to see 'O,' which is the masterpiece of Cirque du Soleil shows!

Tickets are not cheap to see 'O' and they are rarely discounted. People who have seen this show have told me that you will never see anything like it. The level of showmanship and choreography of this show is, apparently, unbeatable.

Since my husband is a yoga teacher, he is very impressed in these shows to see what the human body can actually do. He finds it inspirational.

Of course, you don't have to flexible or in any special place to do yoga. You can just start where you are and you'd be amazed at the results in only a few days.

I was told I'd never be flexible or be able to bend or touch my toes because of scoliosis. However, yoga has helped me in so many ways and wherever I am, I try and find a way to practice it!

Today at the pool at the Stratosphere Hotel, people were sunbathing, swimming and even sky diving off the top of the Stratosphere Tower.

 It was strange to  be sitting by the pool watching humans free fall off the building every now and then. But this is Vegas and anything goes.

Do you exercise or practice yoga. Do you do it on vacation or wherever you are?

365 Inspirations—129: Celebrating TEN YEARS

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”—Lao Tzu

Internet is spotty here, so these posts may be short! I had to type this post on my iPhone! Not easy!

Yoon and I ran away for our 10th year wedding anniversary...

Here are some photos that may give you an idea of where we are! Can you guess? Don't tell if you already know!

Are you married? Where did you spend your last anniversary?

365 Inspirations—128: Leaving on a Jet Plane

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."—Robert Louis Stevenson

That BRIGHT PINK suitcase of mine is heading out on another journey tomorrow. I'm leaving with hubby on a jet plane at the crack of dawn. I'm just getting to my post now. I had to pack and get everything together in the last hour. It's almost midnight!
I'm excited for our upcoming journey.

Can you guess where we are going?

It's probably not where you think.

Should I give you a hint?

Nah, I'll post tomorrow and let you know.

We are going away for a special occasion and we want to see something that we promised each other we'd see at least once in our lives.

I guess you could say it's on our bucket list to see it, but I'm not really a believer in bucket lists. I believe that if you live fully and on purpose, naturally you'll do, see and be everything you need to.

So I'm going to go get some shut eye because we have to get up really eeeaaaarrrrlllly. "Leaving on a jet plane" is my inspiration tonight and my soundtrack this evening.

Tune in tomorrow where I'll be blogging from another world all together.....

Have you ever left on a spontaneous trip? Can you guess where we are going?

365 Inspirations—127: Do What You Love....

I was a guest speaker this evening at a non-fiction writing class at the U of W

"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally."—David Frost

Late last night, after writing a post about "struggling," I picked up an old book from a shelf in the living room. Someone gave me that book in 1993 or 1994 at my good-bye party. I had just quit my job.

The book is called Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow. The title says it all.

I needed to revisit that book last night. I needed to remember the circumstances in which I received that book.

I had recently graduated from college and, after an endless job search, I landed my first job at a vocational rehabilitation firm as a job developer. My job was to make cold calls to businesses asking questions about various jobs.

It was good pay, I had my own office with my name on the door, I had great benefits.....but I wasn't happy.

After a meeting one day, I gave my boss my notice. I still remember that day so clearly. I felt so incredibly free. I felt like my car was flying on the way home. At a good-bye party, a co-worker gave me the aforementioned book. She told me that she was proud of me for following my heart. I can't forget that day.

I had no idea what I would do. I lived on ramen for the next few months and got a job as a hostess at Tony Roma's. I moved into the basement of a house because the rent was cheap. I got rid of things. I had a garage sale. I downsized.

I had free time, so I read the book. I volunteered for a literacy program and helped teach a 13-year old boy how to read. Eventually I ended up in Mexico teaching English and later ventured down to South America. My life of teaching ESL and traveling had begun. And I really loved it.

I still love it, but I'm being called to do something else.

Today I was a guest speaker at a non-fiction writing class at the University of Washington. I talked about my journey from blog to book. It was a wonderful group and I felt I had so much to share. I felt I was in my element.

I know this is what I want to do. I want to share my experiences through writing and through classes/workshops/retreats in order to help others fulfill their own dreams, whether it be writing, blogging, knitting, skydiving, unicycling or juggling.

I feel I have a lot to offer and I'm ready to not be afraid of that anymore. I'm ready to move completely into who I am and help others get there too.

This is my calling. This is where I'm headed.

Are you following your passion? Are you living an authentic life that fits who YOU are?

365 Inspirations—126: Struggle

"Opportunity follows struggle. It follows effort. It follows hard work. It doesn't come before."—Shelby Steele 

 Can struggle be an inspiration? Can I learn anything from it? I think so. I'm struggling right now with something and I can't go into details. I'm at the end of something.

End of my rope, perhaps.

I'll get through it, but I don't want to struggle through it anymore.

I want to let go.

I will let go.

Struggle is my inspiration because it is struggle that brings us to that new level of awareness. Afterall, we are really just struggling with ourselves.

The signs are there that things will change.

Today I met a friend for coffee. I only met her once before. The first time was after she read my book and then recognized me on a walking path and said, "Are you Katherine Jenkins?"

I met that person in a coffee shop today for the second time. She had just quit her job and has no plans of what to do next, but she felt this strong pull to completely let go, despite all her fears about it.

Basically, she jumped.

And she met me for coffee after she jumped.

Perhaps I'm the first person she's talked to in-depth since she jumped.

And then a friend called out of the blue....

Something about synchronicity...about the fact that we all are here for a reason...that we all have a purpose. We had talked about it last weekend and the very same subject showed up in her life two more times in one week! She called me to tell me that. She called to tell me that it was important.

And then, in a DAZE driving home from a 5-hour late-night teaching stint tonight, I saw a sign that read:

Your New Home is Closer Than You Think....

I have no idea what that means. Isn't home where the heart is? If it's a new home, does that mean I've had a change of heart?

Not sure what is going on friends, but I'm not much of a struggler. I'd just as soon let go, but I'm facing some fears right now. I don't know how it's going to all work out, but these friends that showed up in my life today assured me that sometimes you have to leave the "how" out of it. You have to ask different questions. Here's my question for you:

Have you ever let go of something despite all your fears of what would happen to you? 

365 Inspirations—125: Friends Walking Across America

Walking with George in Shoreline, WA 2010

“There comes . . . a longing never to travel again except on foot.”—Wendell Berry 


In 2010, while writing 365 Lessons on my blog, I wrote a post (Lesson 275, Walk with Inspiring People) about my friend George who is walking across America. Almost four years later and my friend is STILL walking! He made it to Virginia and I believe his final destination is Washington D.C., so he's almost there! He started in Washington State! While walking, he's met so many people and his journey is so inspiring. Recently I heard that he met a young man on his journey named Andrew Forsthoefel who was also walking across America. They met in Louisianna. I just listened to Andrew's radio segment on NPR: This American Life about his journey. It was very inspiring. Here is the link: http://transom.org/?p=33988. Andrew also blogs here: http://walkingtolisten.com/
And now for the post I wrote about my inspiring friend George who is still walking...go George! Here it is:

My friend George is one of the most inspiring people I know. He set out on a walk of inspiration across America in honor of his mother who died of cancer. He's walked through storms on the highway and cliffs near Big Sur, California and through the desert to El Paso. He's slept on the side of the road near power lines, couch surfed on couchsurfing.org in order to find a place to sleep, talked to school children about the importance of walking, and touched so many people on his walk of inspiration.

Here's what his website, enjoythewalk.org says:

"On September 20th, 2009, I, George Throop, began a nine-month pilgrimage of inspiration. I'll walk thousands of miles across America, from Washington State to Washington, D.C. Taking countless steps across America, I hope to inspire you to take positive steps towards personal growth in your own lives..."

He estimates his walk will take longer because he is currently taking a break and will return to El Paso, where he left off, sometime in December. We caught up with him in Washington State and had a chance to take a walk with him. Here's are some pictures of our inspiring afternoon:

We took a walk from the Indian Restaurant where we dined to Yoon's Yoga Bliss, where my husband teaches yoga.

I felt so lucky to have had the chance to walk and talk to George today. He's living his dream and hoping to inspire others on his journey. He hopes that others will catch his spark and be encouraged to ignite their own dreams. He has met people of all walks of life and is impressed by the generosity of strangers. People have offered him meals, a place to stay and friendly conversation. He has even had strangers join him on his walk. If you happen to meet George on his walk or catch up with him somehow, you are lucky! His inspiration is contagious!

Do you like to walk? Do you think you could walk across America?

365 Inspirations—124: The Grandeur of The Olympic Peninsula

Forest on path to Sol Duc Falls

"Come forth into the light of things, 

Let Nature be your teacher."—William Wordsworth

Today was one of the most spectacular days this year in Washington State and we just so happened to be in one of the most spectacular places on earth to enjoy it. We had a book event in Sequim yesterday and today we woke up to bright SUN and very warm weather. After a lovely breakfast with my parents, we hit the road and headed to Sol Duc in the Olympic Peninsula.

Sol Duc means "sparkling waters" and the name is very fitting. The hot springs were discovered by the Native American Indians in the area and people have been coming to these springs and this area for over 100 years to soak in the healing waters.

Before our dip in the springs, we went on a 6-mile hike through pristine forest to Sol Duc Falls. The alpine air and chirping of various birds and insects made the entire place feel alive. The pine trees seemed to be stretching out their vibrant green branches to touch us as we passed. Even young fern were pulsating in a patch of grass along the edge of the path.

We were immersed in this healing place and it felt heavenly. I felt the need to run through the forest. I wanted to feel my heart pound in my chest and feel just as alive as all the plants that surrounded me. I wanted to burst forth and lose myself amongst all this life.

For a while,  I had lost the pack of hikers that were once in front of me. Even my husband Yoon was no longer behind me. I knew we'd catch up with each other eventually and I took pleasure in being completely alone for some time.

We met up again close to the falls and had lunch in a sunny spot by a tree. We decided to hike over the falls and loop around back to the hot springs.

Once at the springs, we ran into one of Yoon's yoga students. It was synchronicity playing out again. She must have been right behind us on our hike. We enjoyed the hot springs together and then Yoon suggested we all go up to Hurricane Ridge, a Switzerland-esque viewpoint, on the way back. You almost felt the need to burst out with "the hills are alive..." on the way up.

We were surprised to find the snow quite heavy on the top despite the 70-degree weather down below. People were even sledding.

 We walked up onto a patch of snow and looked out over Puget Sound out toward Canada.

Our friend, who had never been up there before, just kept saying, "This was so worth the drive up!"

We bid our friend farewell and now we are back in Sequim. I feel so rejuvenated! It would be hard to top a day like today.

Is the any place in the world that holds special meaning for you? Have you had a day recently that just seemed too good to be true?

365 Inspirations—123: Book Event in SUNLAND

"Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it."—Mahatma Gandhi

My mom and step father live in SUNLAND. It's a community in Sequim, WA. Tonight, a few book clubs gathered together and we did a book event.

I write every single day. I write here because I get something from  keeping daily posts, but what a bonus if others are  getting something from what I write too!

 It's always good to get feedback and I'll admit that sometimes I am not very good at getting around to all the blogs I'd like to read. However, if I do land on a blog and enjoy the post, I always leave a comment!

I think feedback is really important. It encourages me to keep going and doing what I'm doing. Tonight I got A LOT of feedback and I was so grateful for it.

The book event was in the Sunland club house where my parents live. People went out of their way to prepare appetizers and set up the facility. When we got there, I was happy to discover that most of the people had read my book, liked it and knew a lot about it. Many had prepared detailed questions and even knew the page numbers of the passages they wished to ask questions about.

Signing books at Sunland Book Event

My husband played a gong and chanted just like he did at our other book events.

I don't know how many authors have appeared in person at these book clubs, but I think it was extra special for everyone to be able to talk to the author of a book they had just read with their book groups.

What I got from this event is that sometimes you may think the small things you do are insignificant, but every little thing counts. Also, you don't know how you may affect someone. You may think that what you say or do has no affect on people, but what you say and do DOES in fact affect people. In some cases, people may change the way they say and do things. They may reflect more on their own lives and even make a positive change based on something you've written, said or done.

That's what made me want to keep writing tonight. That's what made me want to keep opening and sharing with people.

I'm happy to be in quiet SUNLAND this evening with my family. It was a BEAUTIFUL day here. The weather was perfect and we took a walk out at Dungeness Spit and saw all the snow-capped mountains and the ocean. Now it's time to take rest. I feel a lot of gratitude this evening. I feel happy and fulfilled.

In what ways do you share with others? Are you aware of what you say or do and how that is affecting other people?

365 Inspirations—122: Yoga and Writing Retreat Offerings

Bell Rock Vortex, Sedona, AZ, Yoga Retreat

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."—William Feather

I've been working on getting a flyer together for a big book event we are headed to on the Olympic Peninsula tomorrow. Forty people are expected to attend the event and I have about EIGHT books left on hand. Hopefully people will bring their own copies.

My inspirations today are these retreat offerings and this flyer I created. Space is already filling up FAST. I'm looking forward to meeting some lovely people at our retreats again this summer and early fall. While I love the people I've met online, it's such a different feeling when we meet together in person on retreat. Please share this page with anyone who might be interested! Here's the flyer:

Questions for you: Have you ever gone on a retreat? Do you think it added a new and meaningful perspective to your life? In what ways?

365 Inspirations—121: Free Fallin'

"You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past."—Richard Bach

It's Wednesday evening! My teaching week is over. On the way home from the college, Tom Petty was singing "I'm free.....frrrreeeeeeeee fallin'."

Sometimes I think the radio knows what I'm thinking and creates a personalized soundtrack for my mood.

The song makes me think of driving in a convertible with the top down on a desolate road in the desert somewhere. There's a gentle wind and milllions of stars are out and there is not a care in the entire world....

Just the wind, the stars and this feeling of FREEDOM!

There's not even a destination.

There's nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Just BE.

I think I miss this. I miss traveling with no particular destination in mind. I miss meeting new people, seeing new places and having new and different experiences.

Perhaps I'm stuck in a rut.

Maybe it's a midlife crisis?

All I know for sure is that I'm ready to spread my wings and FLY!

It's time.......

Do you ever get a sense that you are meant to leave the familiar and try something new and different?