Spark of Inspiration, Sparkives

Changes

11-18-2004

In my last writing, Mud Baths, I said, "In other words, if you are in circumstances that are 'making you miserable' then do what you can right now to change the circumstances. You are not trapped. You have choice."

Many people cannot see choices that they have simply because they have convinced themselves that they are trapped. They are stuck. There is nothing they can do. And so, this is what is reflected to them, "trapped. stuck. nothing you can do."

There are things we can do to make changes. Number one is realize everything is a choice. If you chose to do something you hate then you still chose it and it must be serving you in some way. One of the things you could do is figure out what that motivation is. Then you can decide if you still need to keep that around.

Number two is realize the attitude makes all the difference. When we acknowledge we are choosing these things, even if we aren't enjoying them, it puts the power back in us. We are no longer helpless victims. We remember we are people and not just robots. We are (to some extent at least) creative and intelligent just by nature. In fact, the only thing stopping us from being as "great" ourselves as a Michaelangelo or Leonardo DaVinci or Einstein might be our attitude and a few subtle changes.

Make a quick list right now of ten things you could do today (or tomorrow if it's already late) that are new and different. They don't have to seem like life-changing things, and they don't need to be practical, but make them things you might enjoy. Here's an example list:

1. Take different streets on the way to work (or the grocery, etc.) and back.
2. Window shop at different places and talk to different people.
3. Go to the library and look in a section you've never been in before.
4. Wear two different colored socks. Watch what people do when they notice. :)
5. Put your watch on the other arm, or put it in your pocket, or throw it away.
6. Drive or bicycle to a different city and play explorer.
7. Take a bus and talk to the people on it.
8. Draw random lines on an old shirt with a marker, and wear it.
9. Play with crayons, sidewalk chalk (yes outside on the sidewalk, street, or driveway), and paints. Do NOT "do your best" and do not stay inside the lines.
10. Go sit under a tree for at least fifteen minutes. Talk to the tree.

The juices of wonderment can begin to flow again just with something as simple as a change in scenery. New doorways can open up for major life changes just by talking with a few different people. Inspiration can strike while browsing ancient architecture or recipe books in the library.
..and when inspiration strikes, sometimes nothing is ever the same. :)

None of these things require a major windfall of dollars (most don't require any dollars) or quitting a job, or moving to another area, which are the top three things people use to keep themselves stuck. Since they can't see a way for one of those three to happen, they must be helpless. Baloney.

New life will squeeze into "old territory" when we clean our glasses, look at things in new ways, and have new life within us. And if those big miserable circumstances still don't seem to change, then maybe it's time to change those, too. Godspeed to a fuller, more joyful experience.

2004 Beth Shearon