Finding Motivation to Live a Healthier, More Meaningful Life

My words won’t be very cerebral… just words about my thoughts and feelings during and after President Obama’s Inauguration yesterday.

I’ve never paid much attention to Inaugurations in the past, but this time I was glued to my TV all day. I tried to get other things done but kept drifting back to the TV. Of course, it helped that I work at home AND it was somewhat of a snow day, making it easier for me to watch the festivities all day long.

Another thing that’s new for me… I frequently got choked up throughout the day. I felt proud of my country, felt like we’re growing up, coming together, and I was moved that so many other people—often of very different backgrounds from me—expressed similar feelings.

For example, here I am, an older, middle-aged white woman, watching my new president, and feeling inspired—finding motivation—to do more with my life, feeling like it’s not too late, feeling that I can still become more than I am today, to strive to reach my potential. Whew, that was powerful. Then this morning on Good Morning America, the beautiful, young, pop singer Beyonce said he (President Obama) made her want to be smarter…and other words that I can’t remember exactly, but that echoed my sentiments, in that she wanted to grow, to stretch.

I don’t pretend to understand what it is about the new president that brings about these feelings and thoughts. Part of it is probably because he feels so NEW… that alone brings hope that we can turn around the negativity (the economy, the war…) that’s going on right now.

There’s also a sense that racial healing is occurring in this country. Not just blacks are feeling proud and hopeful about this, but all of the population. There’s a hope and coming together.

What Is Motivation?

It is something that spurs us to action, that moves us toward a desired goal, that gives us the reason for wanting to reach that goal.

I have heard that finding motivation is an internal process, that it comes from inside. Inspiration is a person or thing that causes us to feel motivated to reach a goal.

There’s something inspiring about President Obama and about the Inaugural ceremonies that is causing people to feel motivated to improve their lives. But not just their own; they (we) want to reach out to others, they (we) have a greater sense that we’re all one and we’re here for each other.

Finding Motivation Is different for Everyone

We’re all given different gifts in life. For me, I’ve been given a strong interest in natural health methods having to do with healthy eating and living. It’s not grand… I’m not going to be standing in front of Congress and orating. But I feel more inspired today to honor my calling and do my part to the best of my ability. That might mean reaching out to others more, perhaps presenting classes (which would take me out of my comfort zone), certainly continuing my research and writing, and becoming increasingly committed to a healthy lifestyle so that perhaps my small contribution will inspire others to make healthy changes, to perhaps feel a growing motivation to eat healthy or to at least begin to look at healthier diets.

Return from Finding Motivation to Motivation.