Sometimes, We Have To Tread Water Until Inspiration Returns
by Susan Thom(42)http://onsuchthings.com
I have written many articles of inspiration and hope, peace, strength, love, and faith. I have experienced those feelings of elation and power and control over my own life. I have felt fearless and creative. I was inspired to have three children whom I love with all my heart. I was inspired to pick a home they could be proud of, and enjoy.
I was inspired to be a mother my whole life, but especially once I had my first child. I knew, looking at her, that motherhood was my calling, and I was going to try and make a positive difference in her life. The same feeling accompanied the birth of my two sons. I felt like I had a purpose, something that was mine to do. Something I could accomplish in honor to God and all that he had blessed me with over the years.
I was proud to be doing my job. My two hands worked very hard for them to have a clean and aesthetically beautiful home in which to grow up. Of course, they didn’t know it because it was all they knew, but it didn’t matter, I knew it. I had incentive to work productively and do what I believe was God’s choice for me to do. No matter how exhausted I was, and there were many times I felt that way, one smile or cute remark from one of my kids, and I’d get back some energy.
It was destined for me to go to12 step meetings for years, and I learned a great deal. I was inspired to change in a more positive direction, and to help others along the way. I spoke in front of many groups and many people, and I took my sobriety very seriously, and it has been 15 ½ years now. I was learning about the human characteristics we all have, and how to get rid of the destructive ones. The old, " Better to give than receive " came up again, over and over.
With all this to back me up, I still go through my times when I can’t get inspired even while trying all my little tricks. When I am upset over something painful, all the sayings I’ve heard in 53 years, and in the 12 step meetings, only take me so far. This is father than I ever used to get, but I, too, have my limit. I can recite the sayings, I can pray to God, I can take a hot bath, I can give in to a crying spell, but sometimes, I just can’t get inspired.
Then I wonder how I can help to motivate other people, and yet, I can’t seem to do the same for myself. I have finally learned that there is no shame in being depressed from time to time, and for reasons close to our heart. Sometimes, we need to go with our feelings and rest as much as we can until we re-evaluate, and regroup so we can be rejuvenated. Priorities seem to get lost in the everyday problems of life.
These are the times we must tread water until our senses are reborn. When we have gone through our lesson, which we always figure out in retrospect, and realize it was meant to be that way, we get back the strength we need to jump out of the water. Inspiration returns. We start to perk up and do a little cleaning here, a little walking there, a little project, some gardening, some raking leaves, a little writing, and our spirit is once again whole.
Sometimes, we have to tread water until inspiration returns.
Article submitted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 & read 5241 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow CO (310 days 4 hours ago.)
Guess it is through those valleys that we get material for our next mountaintop? I hear you about being free - for me it has been almost 35 years but I have about 10 more on the total life counter than you do (63 1/2). The Lord Jesus did many wonders in my life and one of them was pulling me, feet first, out of the bottle! We have much to be thankful for, don't we! Thanks for sharing your heart in this piece. MarijoRespond to this comment
» left by Susan Thom(42) (309 days 3 hours ago.)
hi marijo,
yes, it's been wonderful remembering everything i do, and when i don't, i know it's simply forgetfulnness. i have gone through a recent 28 month divorce, and it has been my worse nightmare come true, but one thing i didn't do, is drink!
thank you for reading and responding,
i truly appreciate it,
my best to you,
sue
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» left by Julie from Austin, TX (64 days 3 hours ago.)
Hi Sue,
There's such work at acceptance that we face..accepting that God holds us and He is with us. I've been divorced for 3 1/2 years now, and I get better at acceptance adn living my days with pressence and gratitude, but there are times I feel what is lacking, I miss things...And when I saty in those places too long, I find I miss out on much that is there in my life. I've truly found more truth to the " better to give than receive" lessons lately. When I step out of myself and start giving to others, I find such greater worth and joy.
Peace,
Julie
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