Lucy Lane - The Little Book of Inspiration

THE LITTLE BOOK OF INSPIRATION

Copyright Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 2016

With research by Katherine Bassford

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, nor transmitted, nor translated into a machine language, without the written permission of the publishers.

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eISBN: 978-1-78372-808-4

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

We all want to feel joy, passion and purpose in our lives, but it can be hard to stay motivated and enthusiastic when faced with the demands of everyday life. Thankfully, there is inspiration all around us, whether you find it while sleeping under the stars, by spending time with optimistic people, or in reviving a long-lost ambition. New experiences can open the floodgates to fresh perspectives and ideas, so if youre feeling stuck or uninspired, dip into this little book and try something new today. These motivating quotes and simple tips are designed to help you tap into your creativity, reignite your passion, and open your eyes to exciting new possibilities.

WRITE A BUCKET LIST

Its easy to get caught up in a flurry of day-to-day activities and forget what you really want from life. A bucket list is a list of all the goals and dreams you want to achieve in your lifetime, and can be a great way of reminding you of whats really important. To create your list, sit down and think of all the things you want to do, see, feel and experience. Keep going until you have at least 100 items on your list. If you find yourself stuck, you may be mentally limiting yourself. Let yourself go what would you do if you had unlimited time, money and resources? What have you always wanted to do but not yet done? Items on your list may be big, such as travelling around the world or running a marathon, or small, such as watching a sunrise or seeing your favourite band play live. Once youve written your list, start ticking off the goals you achieve and add any new ones that come to mind. Writing a bucket list should encourage you to live life to the full and look forward to the days ahead with renewed enthusiasm.

Catch the trade wind in your sails.

Explore . Dream . Discover .

H. Jackson Brown Jr

BREAK FROM THE ORDINARY

If youre stuck in the same old routine, it might be time to try something new. Spend a day (or at least a few hours) purposely departing from your normal routine: tune in to a different radio station, take an alternate route to work, try a new cafe or restaurant, visit an unusual shop or say hi to a neighbour you dont normally talk to. Take every opportunity to experience your world in brand new ways. By widening your perspective, youll expose yourself to new ideas and inspirations.

Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.

Roy M. Goodman

ALL LIFE IS AN EXPERIMENT. THE MORE EXPERIMENTS YOU MAKE, THE BETTER.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

SAY YES

If youre feeling uninspired, doing something spontaneous may not be the most obvious solution. However, doing something fun or unusual may be just what you need to lift your spirits. A good way to practise this is to start saying yes to things. If youre invited to a party that you wouldnt normally attend, say yes and make yourself go. If you walk past a poster advertising a dance or photography class youve always secretly wanted to try, sign up the second you get home. By saying yes to possibilities that are placed before you, youll open your world to new people, places and experiences. This will probably entail stepping out of your comfort zone but the benefits include more spontaneity, excitement and adventure. Try saying yes to life for an hour, a day or a month and see what happens.

Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.

Tom Stoppard

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

CREATE A BUZZ

One of the biggest challenges with meeting goals is finding the motivation to keep going. This can feel like an uphill struggle at times, but there are simple tricks that can help you generate energy and excitement to help propel you towards your dream. Whether you dream of entering a triathlon or starting a new business, seek inspiration from others. Talk to your partner about your idea or share your thoughts with a supportive friend. Chat to like-minded people via local clubs or online forums. Imagine what it would feel like to achieve your ambition, and visualise yourself succeeding. Motivation is not a constant thing it will come and go but by surrounding yourself with positive people and images, youll generate the buzz and excitement that will keep you moving towards your goal.

BE THE CALM CENTRE IN THE RAGING FLOW OF LIFE.

Leo Babauta

SAVOUR A SUNRISE

Have you ever taken the time to sit and watch a sunrise? This wonder of nature can fill you with awe and reverence. Check the weather, pick a clear day and find a beautiful spot. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so make sure you have a clear view. Arrive in plenty of time, so you can make the most of the experience. Wrap up warm, sit down with a friend or loved one, and enjoy. You wont need to go back to bed afterwards youll be inspired and ready to take on the day.

SECRET DESIRES

Is there something youve secretly always wanted to try? Many of us have heartfelt desires we have buried deep inside us. Maybe youve always wanted to learn to dance, play the drums or go rock climbing? Think of something youve always longed to do and find a way to experience it in some way. Booking a lesson or taster session may mean stepping out of your comfort zone for a while, but it will boost your confidence, light up your soul, and fill you with a sense of accomplishment. No matter how things turn out, youll know you had the courage to try something new. Youll realise the only thing holding you back is your thinking and with this thought, an exciting new world will start to open up to you.

Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave.

Remez Sasson

Try to be like the turtle at ease in your own shell.

Bill Copeland

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Being creative is a great way to express your thoughts, feelings and ideas. It can help you make sense of your experiences and the world around you. Try expressing yourself creatively in a way youve never done before, such as flower arranging, singing or dancing, for example. There are adult education classes in all sorts of subjects, but if youd rather not commit to a class, you could get a How To book out from the library, watch an instructional DVD, or take up a creative hobby you can learn by yourself at home, such as cake decorating. Whatever you do, choose something that sounds like fun. Remember, anyone can be creative, and no matter the outcome, if youre embracing this side of your personality youre always winning. Experimenting with new or unusual creative outlets can lead to new thoughts and unexpected breakthroughs. At the very least, youll have a blast.