to days of inspiration

It's one thing to rattle off a few overused cliches and call it a day, but it's another to actually find motivation in small bits all around you.

What I've discovered over the past week or so is that you cannot expect inspiration to just come looking for you and POOF there it is, like an obedient dog with the morning paper. No, you have to work to find inspiration, just as with anything else.

In order to reach your goals and follow your dreams, you must be able to draw from the world around you to find motivation to keep hiking on towards your destination.You have to learn how to see the light in a baby's eyes, and the persistence of those first few flowers that pop up when spring rolls around. You must teach yourself to love the world around you, because it supports you. Not only providing you with oxygen and nutrition from nature, but also with friends and family and teachers, at least one of whom will want you to succeed.

People believe in each other. We have great faith in the potential of other human beings, because their potential reflects ours. We want our friends and family to succeed because we want them to be happy, to be everything that they want to be, and more. There is nothing more satisfying.

So USE that support to your advantage. Allow your friends to ask you how you're doing. Let your parents boast about your achievements, and let them worry a little bit about you. And do the same for them. We are here to support each other, not to partake in some sick competition to see who can "go farther" in life.


I ask you today to pause and take a moment to reflect on the inspiration in your life. Though it may not always feel like it, it's there. It may be in the form of a loved one by your side, or a letter from a mentor, or even something as small as a bumper sticker. But as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, it is there somewhere.

I beg you not to let go of your dreams, because there are ways to get past the bad days. And there will always be bad days, even after you have reached your goals. The best part is that there will always be goals, always be something higher that we have yet to reach.

You see, life is a growing experience. You are entitled to a few embarrassing moments, and one or two secrets that you may never share. You are able- no, encouraged- to dream and to be the best you can possibly be. But more importantly you are human. You are allowed to make mistakes along the way.

And that's the beauty of living.