I didn’t sleep well Friday or Saturday night spending most of those nights up, pacing. Yesterday morning I was nervous about my competition.
Admittedly, I’ve been running a little low on inspiration.
There’s a big difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is external, inspiration is internal. I was motivated to do the competition else I wouldn’t have said yes. When I’m motivated, I’ve pumped myself up! But inspiration is far more powerful. When I’m inspired, my spirit is called to do something and it can’t wait to go do it. It’s the greatest sense of self and purpose.
My daughter came into the room and motioned for me to pick her up. I held her in my arms and we sat in front of the french doors overlooking the back deck where it was raining. It was a beautiful sound. We talked about how I was getting ready to leave for my competition and run.
And then she laid her head next to mine and said in the sweetest voice,
“Mommy. You’re a winner. I love you.” 
I said, “Stay 3 forever please.”
She said, “Sorry. I have to turn 4.”
I wasn’t sure what to do: laugh, cry or both.
And with that, I snapped out of my funk. My 3-year-old daughter was right. I am a winner. I just need to go finish what I started. And I did. It was so awesome to see her and Daddy at the finish. God blessed me in that moment to hear those words and see her angelic face.
In this marathon of life, inspiration is far better than motivation.
This week we are going to hear from two other people who’ve inspired me: Christyna Beaty, a runner who just finished a 50 mile race earlier this month and Ruth Ann Johnson, an entrepreneur mom who turns 40 later this week reflecting on the best years of her life.
How do you get motivated? Who inspires you? How are you inspiring others?
(Graphic from littleinspiration.com)
This is beautiful, my children have been an immense source of inspiration! Knowing that my actions, not words, are what shapes their reality inspires me to be a better person, mother, leader and role model!
Thanks Sarah. I didn’t think something so simple could click me I to action. I love how blessed we are through the love of our own children. Makes me proud I’m raising a confident child.
My children are my inspiration. My middle one who has been in pain all her life, probably always will be and yet does not let it hold her back. My son who has stood by friends through unbelievable trials, when everyone walked away. My youngest who has an incredible heart for the poor and homeless even, when she was only 4 or 5. It’s impossible not to be inspired.
Lindsay that’s because of your awesomeness. Isn’t it great to watch what you’ve created grow and inspire you and others more!?
Katie – I was your timer on the day of the FIT Company competition and was SOOOO pleased to see that you won the Inspiration Award. You certainly inspired me that day and I had so much fun cheering you on. You NEVER gave up and gave those men and women a run for their money. I look forward to many more of these competitions in the future with the aspiration to compete myself.
p.s. I participated in the Bayou City Classic 5k, am doing the ROC Race on the 22nd and will sign up for multiple other fun runs to keep me moving in 2014 and beyond.
Nicole Quinn
Wow Nicole, it’s so good to hear from you. And thanks for the kind words. I was honored to get most inspirational. It’ isn’t every day you tell someone “good luck” and hope that you run into them. I’m SO grateful you found my site and posted. I hope you will send me your progress and maybe even guest post sometime about your experience with the running. I’ll be at 4 the Park…my next run! Keep going. You, got this girl!