Tony Fahkry's Blog - Posts Tagged "inspiration"
How To Live An Inspired Life
Every morning after a cup of coffee while catching up on the daily news, John retreats to his studio, a small space situated at the rear of his house. This has been John’s ritual for as long as he can remember. As the hours pass, John is completely consumed by painting. It isn't until evening draws near that he soon realises he has been painting for over ten hours with only a break here and there.
Now in his late fifties, John has been painting since his early twenties and has managed to carve out a successful career. His artwork is regularly featured in corporate foyers across the country, not to mention the regular art exhibits and private buyers who flock to buy his work.
John represents one of many artists who are inspired and, more importantly, not afraid to put in the dedicated hours to create masterpieces. Inspiration is the call from the soul to express itself through you. Inspiration is not only confined to the arts, it may express itself in various forms. You may be inspired if you’re a stay-at-home mother tending to your family. Inspiration is not defined by WHAT you do, rather it is defined by the state of being one experiences when inspired.
Inspiration is the expression of creativity and the mind of the universe flowing through you – and it is not exclusive to artists. If you yearn for direction, inspiration may be beckoning. How can you tell the difference between inspiration and happiness, since they both share similarities? Inspiration is characterised by a deep sense of joy and fulfilment. When you are inspired and pursuing your passion, time stands still. You are oblivious to your surroundings.
Those who are inspired find meaning and purpose to their work. They view their purpose as a calling rather than a job or career. Because of this they operate from a higher frequency, allowing the source of their inspiration to flow unimpeded through every cell of their body. Happiness on the other hand is a fleeting experience. You may be happy one moment and sad the next. We might conclude that happiness is ephemeral, bound by the constraints of external reality.
The following points are ways in which to cultivate and nurture inspiration in your daily life. It is worth reiterating that you need not be an artist, musician, dancer, etc. to connect with inspiration. Cooking and sharing a delicious meal with your loved one at the end of a long day may be regarded as an act of inspiration, since it is a calling from the heart.
1. Discover your passion and connect with purpose: What are you most passionate about? What stirs your soul and leaves you daydreaming throughout the day? Those who find passion and purpose report an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, joy and bliss throughout their life. Their spirit is alive. Not only does time stand still, one feels the expression of their soul come alive. Happiness becomes an extension of universal intelligence, which serves as the conduit of this life-force flowing through you.
2. Identify with thoughts which foster inspiration: It seems nowadays life has become a constant battle for survival. Amid the backdrop, inspiration takes a backseat as the mind is caught up in ‘survival mode’ rather than ‘inspired’. Weeding out thoughts which do not resonate with your deepest self allows inspiration to make its way into your life. Let go of disempowering thoughts of lack or limitation since that can stifle inspiration. As you distance yourself from such thoughts, you create a space around them rather than becoming invested in every thought. Drop those thoughts which no longer have a place in your mind and replace them with empowering ones. It won’t happen overnight, yet with persistence and compassion you can entertain thoughts which serve your highest good.
3. Develop a purposeful vision: A purposeful vision is one that is connected to your WHY? A purposeful vision is the pursuit of that which resonates with your deepest self. To others it may seem trivial or a waste of time. To you, it is an opportunity to connect with your purposeful self – pursue it with determination. Your determination to succeed will be governed by how strong your why? is. If you have a strong enough why? success becomes an extension of your efforts. Your why? is your call to action. It is your internal reference and guidepost leading you towards your purpose-filled vision.
4. Inspired people can’t wait to wake up in the morning: Inspired people don’t sleep in. You might be surprised to learn that inspired people are often insomniacs. Many of them ruminate in a positive way about their passion even while asleep. They live in the present moment. They practice infinite patience, since they are not bound by the constraints of tomorrow or yesterday. Inspired people make time in the afternoon for brief power naps in which to recharge. Not only does a twenty to thirty minute nap serve to lower stress, it improves cognitive function and stimulates right brain neural activity.
5. Inspiration is an act of Flow: I previously wrote about Flow as a way to deeply connect with a pursuit or passion. Termed “Optimal Experience” by the Hungarian psychology professor, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, Flow is the internal state one experiences when consumed by their passion. Therefore a violinist may be said to be in Flow during a live performance on stage. Inspiration is heightened when one is in Flow since they are connected with higher brain regions, notably the right hemisphere. The good news is that inspiration crosses over into other areas of your life as you become open to it. Inspiration loves to be called upon, so the more space you make for it, the more readily it is available to you.
Now in his late fifties, John has been painting since his early twenties and has managed to carve out a successful career. His artwork is regularly featured in corporate foyers across the country, not to mention the regular art exhibits and private buyers who flock to buy his work.
John represents one of many artists who are inspired and, more importantly, not afraid to put in the dedicated hours to create masterpieces. Inspiration is the call from the soul to express itself through you. Inspiration is not only confined to the arts, it may express itself in various forms. You may be inspired if you’re a stay-at-home mother tending to your family. Inspiration is not defined by WHAT you do, rather it is defined by the state of being one experiences when inspired.
Inspiration is the expression of creativity and the mind of the universe flowing through you – and it is not exclusive to artists. If you yearn for direction, inspiration may be beckoning. How can you tell the difference between inspiration and happiness, since they both share similarities? Inspiration is characterised by a deep sense of joy and fulfilment. When you are inspired and pursuing your passion, time stands still. You are oblivious to your surroundings.
Those who are inspired find meaning and purpose to their work. They view their purpose as a calling rather than a job or career. Because of this they operate from a higher frequency, allowing the source of their inspiration to flow unimpeded through every cell of their body. Happiness on the other hand is a fleeting experience. You may be happy one moment and sad the next. We might conclude that happiness is ephemeral, bound by the constraints of external reality.
The following points are ways in which to cultivate and nurture inspiration in your daily life. It is worth reiterating that you need not be an artist, musician, dancer, etc. to connect with inspiration. Cooking and sharing a delicious meal with your loved one at the end of a long day may be regarded as an act of inspiration, since it is a calling from the heart.
1. Discover your passion and connect with purpose: What are you most passionate about? What stirs your soul and leaves you daydreaming throughout the day? Those who find passion and purpose report an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, joy and bliss throughout their life. Their spirit is alive. Not only does time stand still, one feels the expression of their soul come alive. Happiness becomes an extension of universal intelligence, which serves as the conduit of this life-force flowing through you.
2. Identify with thoughts which foster inspiration: It seems nowadays life has become a constant battle for survival. Amid the backdrop, inspiration takes a backseat as the mind is caught up in ‘survival mode’ rather than ‘inspired’. Weeding out thoughts which do not resonate with your deepest self allows inspiration to make its way into your life. Let go of disempowering thoughts of lack or limitation since that can stifle inspiration. As you distance yourself from such thoughts, you create a space around them rather than becoming invested in every thought. Drop those thoughts which no longer have a place in your mind and replace them with empowering ones. It won’t happen overnight, yet with persistence and compassion you can entertain thoughts which serve your highest good.
3. Develop a purposeful vision: A purposeful vision is one that is connected to your WHY? A purposeful vision is the pursuit of that which resonates with your deepest self. To others it may seem trivial or a waste of time. To you, it is an opportunity to connect with your purposeful self – pursue it with determination. Your determination to succeed will be governed by how strong your why? is. If you have a strong enough why? success becomes an extension of your efforts. Your why? is your call to action. It is your internal reference and guidepost leading you towards your purpose-filled vision.
4. Inspired people can’t wait to wake up in the morning: Inspired people don’t sleep in. You might be surprised to learn that inspired people are often insomniacs. Many of them ruminate in a positive way about their passion even while asleep. They live in the present moment. They practice infinite patience, since they are not bound by the constraints of tomorrow or yesterday. Inspired people make time in the afternoon for brief power naps in which to recharge. Not only does a twenty to thirty minute nap serve to lower stress, it improves cognitive function and stimulates right brain neural activity.
5. Inspiration is an act of Flow: I previously wrote about Flow as a way to deeply connect with a pursuit or passion. Termed “Optimal Experience” by the Hungarian psychology professor, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, Flow is the internal state one experiences when consumed by their passion. Therefore a violinist may be said to be in Flow during a live performance on stage. Inspiration is heightened when one is in Flow since they are connected with higher brain regions, notably the right hemisphere. The good news is that inspiration crosses over into other areas of your life as you become open to it. Inspiration loves to be called upon, so the more space you make for it, the more readily it is available to you.
How To Live While You're Alive
“Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes
When it became clear that the Master was going to die the disciples were depressed.
The Master smilingly said, “Don‘t you see that death gives loveliness to life?”
“No. We’d much rather you never died.”
“Whatever is truly alive must die. Look at the flowers: only plastic flowers never die.”
Tony de Mello’s fable underscores the message that a life well lived does not perceive death as absolute. It celebrates its meaningful existence reflected through infinity.
Our time here is but a fleeting moment in eternity. Relative to your life’s journey, you may hold a different perspective of what living fully entails. Those in their final moments will recount a list of regrets or failed opportunities. Many of which stem from working too hard, not spending enough time with loved ones, an emphasis on material possessions and not expressing their true feelings to those who matter.
What are your regrets regarding the road less travelled? Regrets are a call to take action in that part of your life. Do not wait for the right time since that time may never arrive. Why? Because time is bound by your internal state. If your inner state remains the same, you may never take action.
In Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie, the author recounts his time with his dying sociology professor. Morrie states the following on the impermanency of life and the need to take inspired action, “Everyone knows they’re going to die,” he said, “but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.”
Knowing this, we can take life by the lapel and seize every opportunity while we are alive. I affirm that we need not compose an elaborate bucket list, nor undertake extravagant experiences hoping to discover the essence of life in those encounters. To live while you are alive begins at the smallest level and expands far reaching, like a pebble dropped into a pond so that its ripples are felt by those around you.
It begins at the level of the self by making peace with your inner world. Internal conflicts which perpetuate means going to war with that part of yourself. What you oppose within, you oppose in others. As you make peace with your fears, doubts and anxieties you transform them into higher emotional states.
Freedom and inner peace is gained from this purposeful intention. Do not go to your grave having allowed your emotions to dominate your existence. There is much to be attained by transforming disempowering emotions into the wholeness of your being.
Author and philosopher Julian Baggini writes in his book, Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will, “The springs of our actions do not appear to be our conscious thoughts, desires and intentions but unconscious processes in the brain, ones which often set actions in process before we are even aware of anything.” Viewed from this context, your actions originate from the unconscious will and stem from your beliefs, thoughts and observations spanning your lifetime. Can you truly claim your thoughts are unique to you or are they the product of your conditioning?
“I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” - Bernard Berenson
Consider your response to the following question. What does it mean to be in tune with your emotions? To know your emotions at the deepest level, not dismiss them as fleeting experiences. What emotions arise when complimented by a stranger? What is the smell of a spring morning? Or the sense of falling in love for the first time? Connect with these emotions by allowing yourself to go into them. Only then can you claim you have fully lived.
Equally, don’t dull or anaesthetise your emotions with drugs, alcohol or toxic foods. Your body is a wondrous chemical facility capable of producing hormones and sensations it perceives from its environment. Nowadays a potion or pill is readily available to dull every mood at the drop of the hat, yet it does nothing to dissuade you from perceiving your way through life.
We must strive to attain self-mastery if we wish to live while we’re alive. Self-mastery at the deepest level is the knowledge of one’s core self beyond the superficial facade of your likes and dislikes. I consider these the paint on the exterior surface of a house, yet it tells me nothing of the foundations of the house. To know yourself entails connecting with your core self which resides at the soul level.
A measure of this wisdom is echoed by your willingness to assume responsibility for your life. Embrace a better version of yourself by connecting with the deeper wisdom within you – the wiser self. Draw on that wisdom to help you navigate the torrents of life. Author and psychotherapist Linda Graham states in her book Bounding Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being, “The wiser self can be seen as an imaginary guide who embodies all the positive qualities – such as wisdom, courage, resilience and patience – that you see yourself growing into.”
This begs the question: what matters to you? Explore your answer to this and sure enough there lies the essence to your existence. I urge you to go deep into it to explore what mystery lays waiting for you. Life does not know what it will become until you step into it with an open mind.
Pursue what makes you come alive – what are your passions, interests, joys? Follow them, fall in love with them. Savour them and let your spirit come alive through them. Find your flow within them. Explore your talents, gifts and genius. It was Dr Wayne Dyer who said, “Don’t die with your music still in you.”
You were born to prevail, to let your light shine. To withhold it due to past suffering or apathy creates a deep void which yearns to be filled. This advice does not take away from your struggles since that is part of the journey contained within this material realm.
“Whatever is truly alive must die…” allows us to acknowledge that a life well lived has not been in vain, yet fertilised the seed for others to know the way.
When it became clear that the Master was going to die the disciples were depressed.
The Master smilingly said, “Don‘t you see that death gives loveliness to life?”
“No. We’d much rather you never died.”
“Whatever is truly alive must die. Look at the flowers: only plastic flowers never die.”
Tony de Mello’s fable underscores the message that a life well lived does not perceive death as absolute. It celebrates its meaningful existence reflected through infinity.
Our time here is but a fleeting moment in eternity. Relative to your life’s journey, you may hold a different perspective of what living fully entails. Those in their final moments will recount a list of regrets or failed opportunities. Many of which stem from working too hard, not spending enough time with loved ones, an emphasis on material possessions and not expressing their true feelings to those who matter.
What are your regrets regarding the road less travelled? Regrets are a call to take action in that part of your life. Do not wait for the right time since that time may never arrive. Why? Because time is bound by your internal state. If your inner state remains the same, you may never take action.
In Mitch Albom’s book Tuesdays with Morrie, the author recounts his time with his dying sociology professor. Morrie states the following on the impermanency of life and the need to take inspired action, “Everyone knows they’re going to die,” he said, “but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.”
Knowing this, we can take life by the lapel and seize every opportunity while we are alive. I affirm that we need not compose an elaborate bucket list, nor undertake extravagant experiences hoping to discover the essence of life in those encounters. To live while you are alive begins at the smallest level and expands far reaching, like a pebble dropped into a pond so that its ripples are felt by those around you.
It begins at the level of the self by making peace with your inner world. Internal conflicts which perpetuate means going to war with that part of yourself. What you oppose within, you oppose in others. As you make peace with your fears, doubts and anxieties you transform them into higher emotional states.
Freedom and inner peace is gained from this purposeful intention. Do not go to your grave having allowed your emotions to dominate your existence. There is much to be attained by transforming disempowering emotions into the wholeness of your being.
Author and philosopher Julian Baggini writes in his book, Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will, “The springs of our actions do not appear to be our conscious thoughts, desires and intentions but unconscious processes in the brain, ones which often set actions in process before we are even aware of anything.” Viewed from this context, your actions originate from the unconscious will and stem from your beliefs, thoughts and observations spanning your lifetime. Can you truly claim your thoughts are unique to you or are they the product of your conditioning?
“I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” - Bernard Berenson
Consider your response to the following question. What does it mean to be in tune with your emotions? To know your emotions at the deepest level, not dismiss them as fleeting experiences. What emotions arise when complimented by a stranger? What is the smell of a spring morning? Or the sense of falling in love for the first time? Connect with these emotions by allowing yourself to go into them. Only then can you claim you have fully lived.
Equally, don’t dull or anaesthetise your emotions with drugs, alcohol or toxic foods. Your body is a wondrous chemical facility capable of producing hormones and sensations it perceives from its environment. Nowadays a potion or pill is readily available to dull every mood at the drop of the hat, yet it does nothing to dissuade you from perceiving your way through life.
We must strive to attain self-mastery if we wish to live while we’re alive. Self-mastery at the deepest level is the knowledge of one’s core self beyond the superficial facade of your likes and dislikes. I consider these the paint on the exterior surface of a house, yet it tells me nothing of the foundations of the house. To know yourself entails connecting with your core self which resides at the soul level.
A measure of this wisdom is echoed by your willingness to assume responsibility for your life. Embrace a better version of yourself by connecting with the deeper wisdom within you – the wiser self. Draw on that wisdom to help you navigate the torrents of life. Author and psychotherapist Linda Graham states in her book Bounding Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being, “The wiser self can be seen as an imaginary guide who embodies all the positive qualities – such as wisdom, courage, resilience and patience – that you see yourself growing into.”
This begs the question: what matters to you? Explore your answer to this and sure enough there lies the essence to your existence. I urge you to go deep into it to explore what mystery lays waiting for you. Life does not know what it will become until you step into it with an open mind.
Pursue what makes you come alive – what are your passions, interests, joys? Follow them, fall in love with them. Savour them and let your spirit come alive through them. Find your flow within them. Explore your talents, gifts and genius. It was Dr Wayne Dyer who said, “Don’t die with your music still in you.”
You were born to prevail, to let your light shine. To withhold it due to past suffering or apathy creates a deep void which yearns to be filled. This advice does not take away from your struggles since that is part of the journey contained within this material realm.
“Whatever is truly alive must die…” allows us to acknowledge that a life well lived has not been in vain, yet fertilised the seed for others to know the way.
