Not Another Resolution

Like many people, I need to be inspired to make a change in my life. Sometimes the change is a pain I want to avoid or remedy, and often it is something I want to improve. I am something of an inspiration junkie, so I make change best when I am inspired by something or someone to do so. Unfortunately for me, that often means waiting for my muse to find me – that moment when, from nowhere, a brilliant idea, the spark of meaning, or the compulsion to be motivated hits me. It can sometimes be a long wait.

To make matters worse, New Year’s resolutions seldom work for me, and as a coach, I hate to admit that I struggle to make and keep goals. That’s why I’m happy to share a new way to find inspiration – quicker, more reliable, and literally everyone alive can do it!

Here is the secret. It turns out that to be inspired simply means to take in air … to breathe in deeply, so deeply that there is a divine connection. According to the dictionary, the root of the word “inspiration” comes from “Middle English (in the sense ‘divine guidance’): via Old French from late Latin inspiratio(n- ), from the verb inspirare (see inspire),” –  all meaning to draw air into the lungs.

All this time I thought inspiration needed to come in some epic, transformational way from a divine or spiritual source – a source so big I’d be compelled by its influence to change the entire way I was living my life. In reality, I can just breathe – draw air into my lungs – to inspire and to find inspiration. It’s always available to me and without intention – homeostasis does the work!

So as I more intentionally breathe, as I take deep diaphragmatic breaths, I reflect on my love of music and the inspiration I have always found there. Please allow me the indulgence of sharing a few breath-related lyrics and their meaning that just may inspire you:

 

“Breathe, breathe in the air.
Don’t be afraid to care.”

Breathe/Pink Floyd

 

“Oh, I’m a lucky man
To count on both hands
The ones I love
Some folks just have one
Yeah, others they got none

Stay with me
Let’s just breathe”

Just Breathe/Pearl Jam (also covered by Willie Nelson)

 

“Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe
And to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe
Yes, to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe.”

The Air That I Breathe/The Hollies

 

I think my resolution this year will be to not have a resolution, an identified change, but to focus instead on the inspiration that comes every moment … simply by breathing. If you would like some help with your own breathing or inspiration in the new year, contact me at bill@emergent.com. And Happy New Year!