Inspiration

- guest post from Wellness Chair Erin-Kate Aleksak

          What inspires you?  Is what inspires you today the same thing that inspired you yesterday, last year, before you had a family?  Finding some way to inspire yourself is key to accomplishing your goals.  What your inspiration is does not matter.  Just find something that motivates you to get up and get moving.

                We draw inspiration from different places as we change; our inspiration needs to fit who we are in this moment.  As a young runner, 20 years ago, winning was my inspiration.  I definitely didn’t win every race, but I always tried to.  I always wanted to run as fast as I could.  Later I ran for a team and together we were great.  I was inspired by my teammates’ dedication to following their dreams and giving their all.  They made me want to be better every day.

                As an overworked college student I was inspired by the finish line.  I got up early and looked forward to finishing work.  I went to class and looked forward to finishing the day.  I was extremely goal-oriented and I pushed through the weeks, months, and semesters looking forward to the finish line, graduation.

                As a self-conscious new mother I was inspired by my children.  After a long recovery after each was born I was inspired to set a good example for them.  I wanted both to be strong, confident, healthy and active growing up and as adults.  I knew that they would not grow up loving and taking care of themselves if they saw me doing just the opposite.  I knew that I had to lead by example, and the dreams I had for their futures inspired me to make my present better.

                As a more experienced mom and more self-confident adult I find myself inspired by my parents.  My mother was never active.  She chased around a lot of kids, but never put the effort into her health.  All of the women in her family were that way.  As the women in our family aged, one by one they were diagnosed with osteoporosis.  In her 50’s my mom decided to break the cycle and took up running and strength training.  She works out 5 days a week now, and is still chasing small children around.  Her courage to begin something new and her new dedication to herself continue to inspire me. 

My father fought in Vietnam as young man in the Air Force and in Iraq as a soldier in the Army National Guard.  He came home to Walter Reed in need of a new knee, from an obvious injury, and help coping with his less noticeable PTSD.  He has his good days along with plenty of bad ones, but he fights on every day.  His strength and determination will continue to inspire me forever.

Exactly what inspires us will change constantly; sometimes with where we are in life, and sometimes simply with our mood.  We need to stay open to these changes, and allow ourselves to be inspired every day.  Look for inspiration in your families, your friends and in the world around you.  When you find it, grab hold and let it push you towards your goals.