Inspiration is a sudden, profound wave of joy that washes over us when we feel fully connected to the world, and everyone in it. This powerful feeling can transform us, because it feels like all of life’s pieces have clicked into place, and the meaning of our lives has suddenly become clear.
The challenge with Inspiration, however, is that we can’t summon it. Inspiration happens suddenly and without warning. Yet, even though we can’t will it to happen, we can put ourselves in a position this summer to make experiencing this life-changing joy possible.
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS MONTH
Now that summer is upon us and the days are longer, July gives us many ways to open ourselves to the possibility of Inspiration. With this abundance of light, we get outdoors more, reconnect with friends and family, travel more, and feel excited to try new things. Start tomorrow, with Independence Day—one of the most inspiring holidays of the year:
Attend 4th of July festivities—especially the fireworks
If you’re able, attend your town’s Independence Day parade, and go out to where your community is hosting fireworks. Celebrating with the nation, and seeing the awe-inspiring fireworks together with your community will help inspire feelings of patriotism and connect you to something larger than yourself.
Visit a museum
If you have kids, try bringing them to a museum on a hot day. As you move through rooms of art, history, or science, take a moment to become aware of how your children are reacting to the exhibits. Recognizing the discovery and wonder they feel may inspire awe in you as well.
Host a block party
Throw some hotdogs on the grill and invite your friends, family and neighbors over for a meet and greet. Being a part of a group that helps you feel Grounded and linked to your community can help encourage a feeling of connection to something larger than yourself.
Go to an outdoor concert or movie
Outdoor concerts in the summer are a great way to combine the outdoors and a feeling of connection with your community. When you go, take a few moments to become fully aware of the environment with each of your senses. Feel the warm breeze, hear each of the tones and notes in the music, gaze at the stars. Afterwards, reflect on the entire experience. How did it make you feel?
Go for a hike
Like witnessing the beautiful colors in a piece of art, exploring nature can help you feel Inspired. Try going for a short hike one weekend. If you find a scenic overlook that inspires feelings of awe in you, pause there for a moment. Try to become deeply aware of your surroundings with all of your senses to increase your chances of Inspiration.
Summer can be a busy time, and these are just a few examples of some of the many ways you can look for beauty and connect to the world around us. If there is a summertime activity that inspires you, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below. It may just help someone else become inspired as well!
Share with us in the comments below: What summertime activity inspires you?
Watching Sunsets,picking wild berries in my backyard, learning about the different herbs that just grow around me, that require no real work on my part other than picking and storing. It makes me feel that I will always be taken care of. I just love these quiet moments.
This was SOOOOO what i needed!!!
Those are lots of good ideas, but when your plans for fireworks viewing are upset by rain and storms, it can be inspirational to stay home with a friend or two, a pet and just keep it simple with some music, a movie, or a book. Any of those can be inspiring.
Thanks for the reminder Lorell – one reason nature can Inspire us so, is that it can be unpredictable and really remind us that we are not always in control. I like your ideas for a change of plans!
you all have inspired me .so I just told my husband I think we should go on a family pic nic down by creek or stream of water so the grandkids can wade in the water,hearing all the wonderful sounds of nature birds singing wind blowing threw the trees water running across the rocks and the sound of laughing children when they splash one of us unexpectedly as the colld cold water takes our breath. wow I cant hardly wait till the weekend.
Been feeling so genuinely happy the last few weeks. Been spending some wonderful quality time with my family. Been very excited about the creative energy I feel inside myself. I have always been creative, but it’s like something has been awakened in me. I am so full of this energy that it is overflowing, and I think some friends and I are going to try getting together once a week to just relax, spend time together, and create together! This is a very exciting thing! Will share what we come up with as it all comes together.