Inspiration has been an abundant presence in my life this year and looking forward to 2013 I have a responsibility to myself to ensure that it remains so. This time last year I made the decision to be self employed and jump into a new year depending only on myself for work and financial opportunities - something that I knew would be challenging but was keen to actualise anyway.
Inspiration typically comes in two forms; creative and spiritual. As a writer, creative inspiration is an important element for me to stay productive and allow ideas and theories to produce thoughts worthy enough to create my words. Although I often read other writers and compare my writing to theirs, insisting that they sound more eloquent or are simply 'better than me' my motivation has allowed me to be content to feel like me and write like me about the things I care about. This has given me the writing voice that I'm communicating to you with now and I'm cool with that.
As a yogi, spiritual inspiration has been critical in the development of my practice and staying motivated and driven to continue to become the person I was always meant to be. As a result (and the law of attraction) I've been able to connect with some amazing people that have contributed to my growth and allowed my path to become clearer and the unknown of the future, not so intimidating. Empowering events and people came with blessings in many guises that planted seeds to inspire me to keep going during the times I needed it the most.
This year I was fortunate to link with Inspirational YOU - a non for profit organisation that empower, connect and educate individuals and develop their personal and professional skills and on a recent trip to New York I visited the Urban Yoga Foundation who educate and empowers local communities to be proactive about health issues using yoga and other holistic approaches. Living in this modern western society, life can be full of stress and worry, be it financial, relationship or future based anxieties and 2012 has to be one of the most tumultuous I can remember in my adult life. Our wellbeing, personal as well as a collective is something to protect and take care of and through these organisations I've been able to draw motivation to do so. Meditation at first, seemed impossible (when you have ideas or thoughts constantly wondering around in your head 'clearing your mind' seemed like a bit of a joke) but this new practice supported by my first weekend retreat allowed a space for me to get out of my head and get out of my own way when negative thoughts clouded my creative process. Out of these moments of stillness during meditation and through spiritual inspiration, some of my best ideas have been born. I'm grateful for that.
For me the date January the 1st will be catching up with the motives and continued changes in mindset that I've already set in motion for the year ahead. So, since we survived the end of the world (ha) and as we enter the new age of consciousness, stay inspired.
With all of the moral, economic and political disorder around the world, especially concerning our brothers and sisters in Africa and Middle East its important for us to continue to create, educate and keep good intentions in our hearts. Be moved to inspire and stay inspired to move.