I believe man has done himself a grave injustice by overlooking his own inherent worth and potential. We've started to look elsewhere to find what is right in front of us, and even inside of us... like inspiration.Why can't I be my inspiration? I mean, since I have no control over how other things, people or moments will be, why should I wait on them to inspire me?? Would it not be wiser to keep things in the realm of what I can control (me), and in the realm of who/what I can always rely on (God and me), and let that be my source of constant inspiration? If this is indeed so, then isn't it fair to say that inspiration, like life, is not something to be found or received from an external source, but something already resident within us that just needs to be tapped into?
That's why I'm a big advocate of selfishness (the antonym for selflessness, which is the absence of a self, which, as far as I'm concerned, is death). I think we've been socialised to believe that seeing ourselves as continuously talented, bright, beautiful, smart and downright inspiring is wrong, prudish and selfish. We're human, and therefore full of mistakes and fallibilities, we've been taught, the implication being: there could never be anything inspiring about us. But I say, I AM my inspiration. In fact, I am, and that alone warrants notice, so sit up world, and pay attention!!
When I say it, people look at me like, wow, well you're a self-loving narcissist. I always reply, well you know what? If it's true that you can't love anyone else till you love yourself, then that means I have a whole damn lot of love to go round!! Like my friend Jewel loves to say: live to love, love to live!I refuse to wait till I'm old to BE... (great, smart, fabulous, talented... happy!) Nobody promised me tomorrow! My girl Ruth Rhytswell is always saying, live life like a legend, live life like it's golden. Another of my role models loves to say: "Wake up to your own power!" It's all right there inside of you:
Be your inspiration! Or else...
20 comments:
If you want some inspiration, check out this Youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI
Great, huh? Every time I watch it, I always get so pumped full of energy and excitement!
SMH... *tut-tut* Dave, Dave, Dave... video was great, hun, but I'm almost sure you didn't read the post... (correct me if i'm wrong, lol)
SMH... *tut-tut* Dave, Dave, Dave... video was great, hun, but I'm almost sure you didn't read the post... (correct me if i'm wrong, lol)
what a good thing you realize all this so young! full marks Ruthi...yeah, you're the star of your own life...shine as much as you can or want!
Another winner Ruthibelle!! Selfless = absence of self = death... love it!! Too true!
Great post, you will find life is a lot easier when you love you self first and purse your happiness above other.
Big ups to you Ruthi for this post. It's important to live life as fully as possible and be good to yourself in the process.
love to live; live to love!
lord girl... you mekkin me think AGAIN!!!
i pondered over this for a while... and, by and large, i agree - we should all be able to dig deep within ourselves to find those things that make us shine...
having said that, i ALSO believe that sometimes motivation flags - we go through periods when nothing seems to fit and when we feel like something is lacking... so we rely on other people for inspiration... i think that part of inspiring ourselves is being able to allow others to inspire us... ultimately the inspiration comes from, but is it so wrong to let someone/s help out once in a while?
PS - think of it as jump-starting your own self-inspiration when the battery is low... or something...
:-)
it's really great having you back in the blogosphere...
Hey Ruth! Yes, it is very good having you back on the blogesphere.
I can relate to this post from both my own perspective and the perspective of my boyfriends. He's always saying, "This is my movie."
He too has said something similar to your argument about the old saying, "You need to love yourself...."
In fact, these are the lyrics to his favorite song:
"I love myself so much, So, I can love you so much, So, you can love you so much, So you can start loving me."
Sounds a little co-dependent, yet, it's so sweet.
Again, Great topic!
LOL Luce, your boyfriend's song is one of my favourite little 'catch rhymes. I actually hum it to myself sometimes. It's a cute little song with a catchy tune... (funny enough, the same mentor that always said 'wake up to your own power' taught me that song!)
Will, I agree with you, but wherever the inspiration comes from, it starts with us realising that we are in ultimate control of who/what we allow to inspire us. It's not something that we have to sit and wait for. So when motivation sags, yeah, we allow others to help us, knowing that this person/thing is NOT the ultimate constant source of our life's inspiration...
And I feel so shpe-shol (special) with all these welcome backs. Thanks guys. I appreciate it muchisimo.
oh Ruthi!!! Awwwww! This is a bonding moment! He does the same thing!!! *Big Hugs with a squeeze!
Well Luce, you know what they say, birds of a feather... :p :)
xoxoxo xoxoxo
awww...I love this post! I am seriously excited to see where life (and writing) takes you hun! You're so talented and already so aware that I know wherever you end up, it will be too remarkable not to be a force in this world. But bwoi, I have to say...It's hard to "be my own inspiration." I have to go searching for it, but when I do, watch out! Lol. Yes darling, welcome baack. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome baack! (8)
OK. It's official, I'm surrounded by saps in blogland!!
LOL@RUTH... erm, so, no pressure, eh? LOL! And watch out I will, cause I know Shakespeare aint nothin on you!
I think we've been socialised to believe that seeing ourselves as continuously talented, bright, beautiful, smart and downright inspiring is wrong, prudish and selfish.
Amen Ruthie. If we believe it look out world
Must agree, be your own inspiration cause if you're not, who will do it for you...you have to take the first plunge and not sit around waiting for it to happen
Is it just me or is socialisation starting to look like a bad word, lol!! WHy we must always be teaching ppl some messed up principles to live by?? Is it relly that easy to transfer negative values instead of positives? Or we just not trying hard enough??
Inspiration is my fuel and it's all around and in me. Being sensitive is key to receive.
good point believer... u must be able to see inspiration in the little things as well as the big things. Too many ppl spend too much time dwelling on the big things (which are so rare) only
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