Creating Moments for Inspiration
- Hayley Tharpe
- Feb 2, 2024
- 4 min read
I. Introduction
One of my favorite Disney movies is Soul. In this film, two souls are sent down to Earth on a search to find their “spark,” which is essentially something that lights your soul on fire. You may feel a spark when you are in your element or “in the zone.” Your spark also fuels your reasoning to live. Amongst numerous takeaways, the movie illustrates both the intentional and serendipitous nature of finding your spark.
I personally love this idea of creating a balance between crafting experiences in your life to promote inspiration, while also living naturally and authentically. In fact, I practiced this a couple of years ago when my life felt like it was at a complete standstill. During that time, I had no source of present inspiration or any viable future dreams to look forward to. Now, having found my spark (Self-Care, yay!) I’m eager to share with others, including you, about how it all connected!
II. A Mindful Environment
After the COVID-19 Pandemic, I had to be very intentional about placing myself in environments where I could be inspired. The couple of years that were spent in isolation caused me to forget what some of my favorite hobbies were. I also realized that staying home had become so comfortable, it was actually hindering my growth. I felt that I needed to be more active and engaged with the community. So, I joined yoga, tennis, singing lessons, sewing lessons, and whatever else my heart desired! The key was that I needed to do these things in-person because as you can imagine, a singing lesson is a lot more valuable in-person than it is on Zoom or YouTube!
I was also mindful of the people and the content in these environments. In other words sometimes we may do the right activities, but with the wrong company! Also, do not underestimate the value in solo dates either! All of the activities and lessons that I mentioned above, I signed up for alone! However, if you do have company, it is important that the conversations and information exchanged in these environments are positive, fun, challenging, and different! Your environment will either encourage or discourage your intellectual growth and creativity.
III. Going with the Flow, but Intentionally
My search for my spark happened at a very unique time in my life. I had just made the decision to retire from practicing law and the number one question that everyone asked me at that time was, “what’s next?” In response to each person, I answered, “I have no idea.”
I honestly did not know what was to come of my professional career. On one hand, I felt a slight pressure to be active in my search for inspiration, but I also did not want to force anything to fit. I wanted to make sure that the next career that I transitioned into would be the right one for me!
With that being said, I chose to remain open and receptive to however long it would take, but thankfully, it did not take very long because of my intentionality. Choosing to be intentional required me to tune in with myself, understanding my interests, talents, abilities, and so on. I also decided to tap into my “inner child” by catering to some of my most pure desires. For example, I started tennis lessons because I remembered how much I enjoyed playing tennis with friends at the recreation center in college. Back then, my tennis name was "Patty." Even though I knew that I would not want to become a professional tennis player per se, I saw it as an experience that's active, challenging, and fun. Therefore, I knew that these feelings which tennis evokes could potentially inspire me in some other areas of my life!
IV. Finding Your Spark
Then one day, it finally happened. I was taking deep breaths during a Hot Yoga class when I was sparked with inspiration! I felt so amazing during the Yoga session—something I wished I could feel all the time. It was the feeling of engaging in Self-Care.
I then realized that if I would have done more Self-Care in law school and while working as a lawyer, I probably would have had a more manageable and enjoyable experience. And it was this thought which sparked the idea for starting my business, Legally Well!
Yet, while it is one thing to find your spark, it is another to act on it! A lot of people whom I speak with are on a search to find it, not realizing that it was something they had already found but have just not participated in so long due to being disconnected from Self! This is why I mentioned above of the importance of tuning in with yourself! For me, it happened while taking deep breaths. For you, it may be during that dance class or seminar that you have been wanting to go to!
V. Conclusion
There is a popular phrase that states, “Life is not happening to you, it is happening for you.” With this mindset, I choose to take advantage of what life has to offer and choose to believe that I am here for a reason!
I am meant to love the days that I live, and so are you. I therefore encourage you to create moments in your life for inspiration. Make this life worth living! And do so without undue pressure, timetables, and judgment. Allow yourself to have fun and be open while you discover what lights your soul on fire!
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