| d has it that Robert the Bruce of Scotland was losing | | | | 1) Nature -- In the middle of the worst crisis, we |
| the battle and he barely escaped with his life. His | | | | could take a few minutes to clear our minds and look |
| soldiers were hard pressed to keep up the fight as | | | | up to the sky or the stars. A little walk in the park or |
| many were wounded and dying. The Bruce, tired, | | | | in the woods will do wonders for the body, mind and |
| dismayed and broken-hearted found a hidden cave | | | | spirit. Breathe in the fresh air, watch the ripples on a |
| where he took refuge. | | | | pond or river, get inspired by the sheer magnificence |
| He threw down his sword and sat to rest a while. | | | | of Nature. |
| Gloomy thoughts filled his mind and he reflected on | | | | 2) Music -- Listen to some music you really like. The |
| the insurmountability of the task he had tried to | | | | sound will take your mind to another place and you'll |
| accomplish. Perhaps Scotland would never be free -- | | | | find that miracles can occur. |
| at least not in his lifetime. Perhaps he should abandon | | | | 3) Books and tapes -- Spend a little time absorbed in |
| all efforts, give it up and lead an obscure life as a | | | | a good book. And I don't mean just self-help or |
| fugitive. | | | | spiritual books. It could be any book that engages |
| As these thoughts raced through his mind, out of the | | | | your mind and thoughts. For example, when things |
| corner of his eye, he noticed a tiny spider trying to | | | | seem really gloomy to me, I'd read one of Edgar Rice |
| climb a strand of web that extended from the top | | | | Burroughs' Tarzan tales. For me, that works. For you, |
| of the cave almost to the floor. Up went the spider | | | | it might mean a totally different type of book. |
| and just a few feet from the top, it slipped and fell | | | | And audio tapes, CD's, video tapes and DVD's have |
| all the way down. | | | | been a wonderful gift from technology. Just the |
| Over and over again the spider repeated the process | | | | other day I watched the movie, Richard Bach's |
| as the exhausted Bruce watched, fascinated by the | | | | "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" on my video player. |
| perseverance of the little life form. Once again the | | | | Shortly thereafter, I watched the western movie, |
| spider climbed, this time almost reaching the top. | | | | "They Call Me Trinity" on my DVD player. Talk about |
| Again it slipped and fell to the floor of the cave. Now | | | | being recharged! I was able to face the seeming |
| with rapt attention, Robert the Bruce watched to | | | | impossible and come out smiling. |
| see its next move. A few more tries and finally, with | | | | 4) Friends -- We are fortunate if we have a few |
| one quick dash, the spider reached the ceiling. The | | | | good friends. Somebody once asked me if I told my |
| Bruce slowly got up, picked up his sword, cleared the | | | | friends about something I was very involved with. I |
| depressing thoughts from his mind and went back | | | | smiled and answered, "Yes, I told them all -- both of |
| into the battle, inspired by the strength, will and | | | | them." Real friends are few and far between, but |
| perseverance of such a tiny creature as a spider. | | | | they can be a tremendous help to you by just being |
| The rest is history. The battle was won and the | | | | there and listening. |
| Bruce was, once more, the triumphant, gallant leader | | | | There are other sources of inspiration and I am sure |
| of his people. | | | | you can come up with your own list that works for |
| There are times when everything in life seems dark | | | | you. For example, take a long drive, go fishing, bake |
| and dreary. There are those times when we feel we | | | | some cookies, paint a picture or make some pottery. |
| are totally unable to take the next step or to even | | | | The point is simple. Use all the sources of inspiration |
| move one inch. These are precisely the times when | | | | available to get you through your tough times -- to |
| we most need inspiration. | | | | help you, not only to overcome but to prosper. |
| Why inspiration? It helps recharge our energy when | | | | Remember, the Universe is on your side. Just give it |
| all seems hopeless. It gives us encouragement when | | | | a chance to show its magnificence in your life. |
| our "spiritual well has gone dry". | | | | Happiness should always be our most important goal. |
| The dictionary gives different meanings to the word, | | | | All else is secondary. Lift up your eyes and look |
| "inspiration". But I think "inspiration" actually means | | | | beyond your troubles. Perhaps you'll see a whole |
| divine messages from the Universe. There are many | | | | new, beautiful day dawning for you. It's there. Go for |
| sources of inspiration and I want to list a few of | | | | it. |
| them below. | | | | |