Yesterday there was inspiration

Now, I'm not much of a one for so called 'inspirational poetry.' You know, the sort that hold some kind of 'don't give up, everything will be okay' kind of message. I find them too schmaltzy, too twee and sometimes when I receive one, I can't help but feel patronised by them which makes me feel guilty because they are usually sent to me by people with good intentions. I think that true inspiration has to be unintentional. I am not keen to have inspiration rammed down my throat especially when I'm feeling miserable and the only thing that will do is a snuggle with Andy and a cup of tea and biscuit, not a flipping poem.

Also, I think they are a lazy way out of helping a friend or relative through a crisis. They smack of 'I can't be bothered to give you my individual consideration, I am far too busy with more important things than your problems, but here, have a poem instead. It isn't especially personal or private, or comforting to your circumstances because I've already sent it to twenty other people, but it'll do won't it?'

However, yesterday I received one such poem from a member of the running group I have joined. And it seemed somehow relevant and helped me make a couple of decisions and see my situation more clearly. I saw it as a set of questions to ask myself and thereby came the answers. So here is it. Maybe it will do something for you...

I like to feel the squish of sand underfoot
To feel the dawn wind
To hear the birds
To learn my strengths and weaknesses
To be out there
To switch off
To go to another place
To smell that summer has arrived
To clear my mind
To see the wood for the trees
To stand outside myself for a bit
To do something simple, dull and repetitive
To give problems some perspective
To enjoy the freedom
To hear the quiet
To feel tired and worn out
To beat that part of me that wants to stop
To feel that feeling I get afterwards
Don't call me a runner

I just like to run.

What I really like is that the word 'runner' can be interchanged with whatever other label you find attaching to yourself. In my case 'writer.' Or 'teacher.'

De-label yourself today. Try seeing yourself as something other than a mum, sister, wife, daughter, friend.

See yourself as you. It's surprising how clear life becomes.