I’m one of the lucky ones, mine does and it will even further this upcoming year.
This past Monday I found myself realizing another source of inspiration as I was watching The Voice. A little odd because I don’t typically watch that show or much tv at all for that matter. So when I was about 20 mins. in, it hit me why I continued to watch – the people and the moments were inspiring to me.
These brave people who came from all walks of life, were taking the risk to put their whole heart and soul on the line for millions to see and to judge. But what I noticed to be different about this situation than what happens in most of our daily lives was that on the other side, the people doing the judging, continuously met these brave souls with such positive, uplifting, kindness that I felt like I could literally see the contestants’ lives changing in that moment.
Before the judges spoke, you could see the contestants’ eyes squint in apprehension. You could see their grips on the mic grow a little tighter. Yet time and time again, these judges met these people at some of their most vulnerable, challenging and possibly influential moments in their lives with kindness and support. After the judges spoke their words of praise, you could see the weight lift. You could feel their motivation increase. You could sense the relief from the contestants that indeed, what they felt good about in their hearts and what they shared was meaningful. (Some in the education profession need to take note on how that works.)
I get it. The judges are paid to increase viewer ratings. But what I felt to be true is that these judges were genuinely pulling for the contestants’ success just like I am pulling for my students and for people in general.
Watching these types of interactions between people, these positively transformative moments, are what fill my heart and inspire me.
My heart grew even more this weekend when I got to watch in person, the St. Anthony’s Triathlon.
Again, people from all walks of life pushing themselves to extremes. The amount of physical preparation and mental determination to simply cross the finish line alone is inspirational. But it is the little moments that you can stumble upon that leave an impression on my heart.
I will never forget two years ago when I saw a triple amputee get carried out of the water by two volunteers after he just completed the swim portion…perspective check-he just finished the swimming portion of an Olympic Triathlon with only ONE arm, complain I will NOT…to get suited up in the transition area to begin the bike portion. As I was standing at the fence watching this man in awe as he strapped on his limbs, right in front of me without knowing stood his son. I smiled as I watched his son jump up and down his little fingers clutching the fence in excitement and yell to his hero, “You can do it Daddy! I love you!” instant waterworks and inspirational moment indeed. Also a good reminder to all of us, our character is shining through to anyone who is watching. Hopefully yours is one you can be proud of – this father’s certainly was.
Last year, my brother and a friend of his committed to competing in the triathlon. My brother is a warrior. He consistently inspires me and I had no doubt that he would finish and even enjoy the race. But this time as my friends and I chased after him around town in ridiculous garb and donning inspirational shirts for a quick glimpse and moment of encouragement, I had more time to notice other positively encouraging moments. The moment I realized that my friends were there to encourage my brother but in essence were supporting me. The moment I watched the 80 and over division get called into the water. The moment I watched a father ride by pulling his child in a carrier similar to Dick Hoyt. The many moments I watched all sorts of people cross the finish line filled my heart because I’m sure all of them had a story that brought them to this place. I felt lucky to simply be there to encourage these people from all walks on their successes.
This year I found inspiration by watching the successes of these athletes and also the support that they were receiving from their loved ones. The woman who won the female division won her 6th event for the season and as this powerhouse crossed the finish line, her male counterpart sprinted to get her and her 2nd place finisher water and Gatorade. I watched a young man enter the starting coral with his father right next to him to encourage him along the way. There were supporters everywhere I looked. I listened to the volunteers coordinating and making sure that the athletes were safe. I heard young ladies cheering on people they didn’t know as they handed out water. I saw families line the streets watching for their loved ones.
But my “moment” this year, I found on the back of one of the triathletes before he entered the water. The back of his wetsuit simply read, “Redefine your possible.”
As I looked around, it sank in. Women weren’t allowed to participate in triathlons not too long ago. Thank goodness there were brave people out there pushing to make it possible now. Amateurs from Nebraska would have never been able to sing in front of millions of people and get coached and encouraged by professional singers. What a difference it will make in their lives now that it’s possible.
As we’re about to launch Indi-ED, I know that many people are watching and some who may think it’s impossible. However, I am constantly reminded that just because it’s not done yet, does NOT mean that it can’t be done.
I have the drive like the triathletes, am genuinely inspired by encouraging human progress like the coaches on The Voice, and am surrounded by positive and uplifting people like those cheering on the triathletes.
Thanks for all of the reminders this week. My inspiration aligns with my profession and this year could very well be the inspirational moment that others are waiting to observe.
Where do you find your inspiration? What is your motivation to make a positive influence? Do you have a transformative moment that you’ll always remember?