in·spi·ra·tion
/ˌinspəˈrāSH(ə)n/
the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
mo·ti·va·tion
/ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/
the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
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I think a lot about people in my life who motivate and inspire me, so it’s fitting and timely that the theme of this week’s Friday Five is 5 People Who Motivate Me. I’m going to take it a step further and include those that inspire me as well. Because without inspiration, there is no motivation. And without motivation, there is no inspiration.
1. My parents.
My mom inspires me to be a better, more forgiving person. She always has a smile on her face and is the first one to volunteer to lend a helping hand. She doesn’t let much get her down and she can always find the bright side of things. She’s the woman behind the song, “The Sun Will Come Out.”
My dad motivates me to be a better athlete. Whether he knows it or not, his minor health setback in the early 90s has completely influenced my lifestyle and life choices ever since. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my dad. He keeps me focused, motivated, and strong.
2. My kids.
This one’s easy. Everyone says their kids, right? My kids motivate me to be the best mama I can be and to stay the course when things get tough. They inspire me to pick myself up when I fall down. If they fall down and bump their elbows, I give them a kiss and tell them to brush it off. Seconds later the fall is forgotten. They inspire me to do the same. They motivate me to be a strong mom. I want my daughter to grow up knowing she can do whatever she sets her mind to. And I want my son to know that women aren’t just a pretty face, or just an asterisk to their male counterparts. I want both of my children to know both of their parents are strong, successful, and tenacious individuals.
3. My husband.
My husband is a tricky one. He doesn’t know it but he motivates me every day. Every time he talks about sports or going to the gym, or doing pushups. Every time he brings up what he ate and how well balanced his diet is — these are all meaningless conversations and and small snippets of our lives but they bind together to create an inspiration for me to be a better person: a better athlete, a better cook, a healthier person.
4. My athletes.
The individuals that I coach inspire me on a daily basis. They make me want to get out there and run 3 miles. Or take on a yoga class. Or go for a power walk with my daughter in her stroller. Their dedication and rate of achievement make me realize that I am capable of so much more. I can only hope that I am equally inspirational to them.
5. My training partners.
My training partners (aka my friends) are the most hardcore, ridiculous people I’ve ever met. Every one of them brings something unique and amazing to the table. One of them is easily more obsessed with running than I am (how, I’m not really sure). Another loves running but not racing, but will run a race on a whim. Yet another doesn’t race much but he will train for a marathon with you even though he’s not running it himself. And another will log some serious mileage discussing topics such as books, museums, and job opportunities. Their unique and divergent personalities make not running with them motivation enough to run with them.
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| I miss these fools!! |
And one for good luck…
6. The blogging community.
As trite as this may seem, I am infinitely inspired and motivated by the blogging community. Day in and day out, the men and women that make up this seemingly tight-knit community are out there running, hiking, canoeing, yoga’ing, HIITing — and cooking up some phenomenal looking meals to boot! It has been a privilege to grow and learn from this group, and it has been amazing to watch marathon training cycles, Ragnar relays, Ironmans (men?) and trips abroad come to fruition.
Now it’s your turn. Give me one person that motivates or inspires YOU.
Have a great weekend!
xo
