DETAILS THAT INSPIRE

DETAILS THAT INSPIRE

My primary goal is to write words that encourage and to promote a healthy step forward. It is my practice to reflect on the past for direction. Of course, it is easier to concentrate on failures than on successes. Both hold details that inspire. I am notorious for downplaying the proud moments and just as famous for highlighting the not so bright moments. Raise your hand if you feel me.

PAUSE, make a short list of accomplishments that are a source of pride. DO NOT allow thoughts of what others might think of your accomplishments define your list. THIS IS YOUR LIST. You don’t have to share but I do. How else would you know that I will not ask you to do what I have not attempted?

“My story of re-invention has and continues to be a journey. I think of it as my way of life. When I stop wanting to REBOOT, REJUVENATE, AND RESURRECT areas that need to be changed then just maybe it will be time for me to die. However, I am not ready to die. What will you do with the time you have left?”

These words are printed on two banners produced for the launch of my book, “REBOOT, REJUVENATE, RESURRECT. “It was not a best seller. I did not profit from the meager sales. I am proud of the perseverance and hard work it took for thought to go from head to paper to production and release. It took determination and discipline to work full time, participate in daily activities, write, edit, and meet deadlines. I am inspired by the memory of what was accomplished.

My village and the way we navigated the pandemic is a source of pride. I watched a video of my husband and I in full seventies/eighties regalia lip singing “People make the world go round,” (recorded by The Stylistics) posted on March 22, 2022, three weeks into the pandemic. Resilience and creativity became our constant companions as other humans faded away for the next two years. I emerged a finer human specimen.

My son asked me to paint a picture of the dog that he says, “saved his sanity,” and has now gone on to doggie heaven. I was hesitant to honor his request, questioning my ability to even know where to begin. The words of the quote, the thoughts of the book, the memories of the pandemic and the creativity that I now fully embrace, spurred me to take a black canvas and begin the task of trying to capture the essence of the white boxer dog. The resulting picture is not perfect. I am an untrained artist. I am inspired by a son who, with great confidence, asked his untrained mother artist to undertake such a daunting task.

You may choose to minimize what I have shared but I choose to highlight what is a source of pride for me and to downplay the less than glowing moments. They are both important for the continuation of my journey.

Sometimes we must encourage ourselves. What better way to do that than to remember what you have already done… what you are proud of and otherwise. The details are a good source of inspiration.

Romans 8:28

PONDER THIS THOUGHT--- Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” Beyonce