UA&P I AM S.T.R.O.N.G. : Inspiration- Finding it, using it and loving it. (Part II)

By Shirin Eugenio

So how does one find inspiration?

Get out of your bubble. If you have defined your inspiration to be your boyfriend who is also your classmate, carpool-mate, movie-partner, org-mate and neighbor, then inspiration will be as predictable as a Disney fairy tale. To find true inspiration, the range of experiences you must allow yourself must be wide enough. This is precisely because, the inspiration will jump from the myriad sources you are attuned to. And the surprise of an inspiration will animate you like you’ve never felt before. So, burst that bubble, and join bigger bubbles.

Embrace the brilliant, the unique, the unexpected, the different. We often get intimidated by somebody more brilliant than us, or stay away from the unique – because it’s just hard to accept it. Being inspired by something completely unexpected (example, those funny Japanese products) does not mean you’ve found the ultimate solution to your mental block. An inspiration can spark your own idea, or open your eyes to new possibilities. From there, you will be surprised that you can twist, modify, add, minimize, exaggerate or reverse your first thought after one teeny-tiny dose of inspiration.

Don’t put a high price on inspiration. There is a huge expectation on inspirations, like time has to stop when it happens, or a choir of angels will signal the moment. Anything short of this is not inspiration, it’s just… wala lang (a technical term now). If we continue to think this way, we fail to see the little things that are actually big sources of inspiration. As a teacher, it would be fantastic to have geniuses to inspire lecturing for three hours straight. However, I was surprised to realize that it was the little things from my students that excited me – the reactions to my corny humor, the crazy ideas they throw, the understanding that registers in their eyes. These are easy to miss if expectations block your view.

Look for diversity. When you are with the same kind of people 24/7, chances are the inspiration bursts are next to none. Because everything is comfortable, convenient and conventional. If you are an advertising major, hang out with engineering students once in a while, and be swept away by all that technical genius. Take a break from your whiny friends and get new conversations from older, more mature people. Sit down where you can view a crowd and a place at the same time. You’re good at math? Enough with the advanced calculus already and study a new language. Read good quality magazines. It’s like listening to the most fascinating minds talk. Having diversity in your life is like planting seeds of inspiration. Soon these will grow into new passions that breathe life into you, everyday.

Find the real good thing. Let’s get one thing straight – there is no inspiration in a guy who smokes pot all day. Or a girl who sleeps around. Or a corrupt boss. Unless, you are inspired to be their total opposites. Even then, it takes the most enlightened minds to figure that out. So, if inspiration is meant to awaken you to be better at something, then the source of the inspiration has to be a good thing. So, find the real good thing in the things and people around you. I believe that goodness is in abundance. It just hard to see them through the haze of apathy and bad reviews. Is your mom naggish? They all are, but that’s not the only thing they are. They love us unconditionally. Be inspired by that. Is schoolwork so exhausting? Of course, but that’s not all it is. It is your source of conversation with other people. Be inspired by that too.

Inspired people are fearless. Deadlines, break-ups, bad grades, tight budgets, crazy families, moody friends – these things don’t intimidate them because they find inspiration to rise above all these. Inspired people are both thinkers and doers. That’s why they accomplish more. Lastly, inspired people inspire others. Without their knowing – they let other people experience that smile in the mind, that tug in the heart, and the tiny miracle that changes them forever.

What do you think about Ms. Shirin's blog entry? How do you see inspiration?

UA&P I AM S.T.R.O.N.G. : Stressbusters!!

Jewelz Lim says:

Just the other day I was thinking how people manage their time and deal with stress. Once in awhile we have work to do that suddenly piles up. Then what do we do? I just want to share a few ways how I deal with stress.

First, take a breather. There's no better way to relax. I think once in awhile we should stop everything were doing and take at least 5-10 deep breaths. It would be good to close your eyes too. -.- This provides more oxygen to your brain so that we could think better!

Second stressbuster, take a walk. Sometimes we should take 10 minutes outside the room. Leave everything behind and get a little exercise.

Third, eat. Have a light snack, like fresh fruits. This would also be good for your health. You might get caught up in so much work that you forget to eat meals, hehe! Sometimes happens to me.

Fourth, play a sport. At the end of a long week, I would play flagfootball to release stress. I think it worked for me because I focus more on the game and I don't think about the pile of work I have to do.

Fifth, watch some funny videos. One of my favorite videos on youtube is humantetris. One of my friends told me about the japanese game show and I just can't get enough.



Here's another favorite..



Stressbuster numero 6, chat with one of your friends. They never fail in cheering you up. I have this friend who I can always talk to whenever I'm down (or even when I'm not). She just completes my day.

7. Think of a happy place. I know this might seem funny and I used to think it was funny when I first heard about it, but it really works. I'll share my happy place: It's a view over looking the ocean of the sun setting. I'm surrounded by tall swaying coconut trees and I could smell the seabreeze. I could hear the waves washing up the shore and feel the humid, warm air on my arms. Create your own happy place! :) It's a place where only you can go.. or anyone you want to imagine. Don't forget to smile..

Eighth stressbuster. Play with children. I always feel that there will always be a kid in me. They say the most innocent and hilarious things. They also don't judge who you are. I think it is also very rewarding.

Nine. Try something new. My list is just growing! But I'm glad I'm typing them down so I can refer to it anytime.. and hopefully people can add to my list. :) I always like to try new things. Whether it be tasting new kinds of food, new sports, learn a language, read about how things work. For me, this is one way of relieving stress because it allows me to find out my talents and learn more about who I am and what I can do. I've tried scuba diving, spinning poi, karting, football, wall climbing. I also join contests like the amazing race held in Subic. Trying something new can also be learning how to type using the proper fingers (I just taught my mom that and I think she's really enjoying) or painting!

My tenth stressbuster is giving myself a little treat. This could be in any form... like a lollipop, kitkat, caramel puffs. After finishing a task, I give myself little rewards.. or they could be big rewards for accumulated tasks, hehe!!

Let me know other ways how to fight stress and rejuvinate. I'm excited to hear other ways to unwind. :)