Weekly Inspiration: Nature, Hidden Treasures & Vitality

Many meaningful bits of life are found simply by slowing down. To honor that, I want to share a few things at the end of each week that have inspired me. Each Friday morning, I complete a thorough review of my week to recommit to my whys, celebrate what happened, acknowledge what didn’t happen, take stock of what inspired me throughout the week, and set intentions for the following week. I want to share part of that with you- the inspiration part- in hopes that something might resonate with you.

• Spring In the Mid-Atlantic, leaves are appearing on trees this week. I have no recollection of delighting in nature as a child, but I have slowly developed a love of watching nature move through four distinct seasons. As a young adult I used to hate spring because of how much the temperature would fluctuate. I loved winter because everything died, but I never had an appreciation for new life that flourishes in the spring. Now, I’ve grown to adore spring, watching day by day as flowers bloom and leaves sprout. It’s a fascinating process to witness and serves as a reminder that new life can grow with time and fitting resources. I also highly recommend watching spring return from the comfort of a gently swaying hammock on a warm sunny day.
• Joie de vivre A professor from my undergraduate education passed away unexpectedly almost two weeks ago. I attended a small liberal arts college and spent the majority of my life in undergrad within the department where I studied. The department felt like a family, and my alma mater was the first place that really felt like home to me. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting of the legacy of my professor as well as the heartbreak left in his absence. He had so much vitality, and truly delighted in making life beautiful around him. I aspire to follow his gracious example and cultivate joie de vivre in my own life.
• Big Magic I’ve always loved author Elizabeth Gilbert. Eat, Pray, Love was the glue that held me together at one point in my life when so much felt meaningless to me. Last week, I decided to reread Big Magic again, and borrowed it from the library in audiobook form this time. I can’t begin to explain my delight when I realized the book would be read by none other than Elizabeth Gilbert herself. I could feel a part of me awakening and stirring inside just from hearing her words, and it’s sent me on a hunt for the hidden treasures within me. I’ll leave you with this quote from her book that I’ve been soaking in all week:

“And you have treasures hidden within you—extraordinary treasures—and so do I, and so does everyone around us. And bringing those treasures to light takes work and faith and focus and courage and hours of devotion, and the clock is ticking, and the world is spinning, and we simply do not have time anymore to think so small.”

Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

So, onward to the weekend where I hope you find time to pause and soak in nature, find a moment to seek or acknowledge your hidden treasures, and live with vitality.

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