Inspiration Archives

Contrast as a Catalyst for Awareness

Contrast can often be the catalyst that causes us to notice the world around us. This Labor Day weekend has been a great time for hiking in nearby Glacier National Park. Autumn is on the way and the first snows have sprinkled a sparkling white dusting on the high mountain peaks. On a hike a few days ago, I was struck by the contrast of the stark white snow against the lush, verdant green of our Montana summers. Moving to Montana from Colorado more than a year ago, I had forgotten just how lush and green Montana is, as compared…

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Glacier National Park- Sept. 3-5, 2010

This Labor Day Weekend we spent a few days hiking our local area in northwestern Montana. The first two shots were taken while hiking the Bond Creek Trail in the Swan Valley. Can you tell from the shot of Koda that the trail was a bit muddy in places? :) The rest of the photos were taken in Glacier National Park, at Lake McDonald, on the Going to the Sun Road and while hiking the Hidden Lake Trail from Logan Pass. Just double click on any of the thumbnails to see an enlarged photo and to comment. I hope you…

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I Want A Vitamix Because….

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what do you do when a friend shows up at your home with hundreds of apples? That's easy....You make apple juice! Last Friday evening my friends Tom and Sherry stopped by our home for a visit. For the last few weeks they've heard me tweeting, blogging and raving about my new Vitamix machine- and they had an idea. They live in Montana next to some wild open space that happens to be the home of a very abundant apple tree. Sherry and Tom showed up at my home with several hundred…

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Inspired by Vitamix

For the last month I've been consulting on a project for one of my favorite companies- Vitamix. I'm helping them compile a book of inspirational stories to celebrate their 90th Anniversary. When I was first approached about the project, I have to admit my first thought was, "a book about a blender?" Boy, did I have a lot to learn! I recognized the name from seeing them at Costco or at the fair, but I'd never taken the time to stop and listen to the presentation, let alone sample the wonderful concoctions they create in the Vitamix. I flew back…

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Friendly Reminders from a Montana Huckleberry Patch

Living in Montana definitely has its perks- especially this time of the year- during huckleberry season. A few days ago, my son, his girlfriend and I went into the mountains of Montana in search of huckleberries. We drove for a few miles up a dusty, dirt road, then parked the car and hiked into the woods. For those not familiar with huckleberries, they grow on bushes usually not more than 18" off the ground and produce a somewhat tart berry, most closely resembling a blueberry. As usual, I couldn't help but relate this experience- in this case berry picking- to…

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How Big is Your Smilebreaker?

Today I'd like to offer you the opportunity to participate in a challenge with me. It's something I've been playing with for the last few days. I've named it.... How big is your smilebreaker. It's a little game of self-awareness that helps me reflect on my own level of happiness. Please, allow me to explain. For the past week or so, each morning as I wake up, I consciously start the day with gratitude. Rather than focusing on the problems that I need to deal with that day, I envision all the things in my life that I'm truly grateful…

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EAA AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh (B’gosh!)

For the last few days Darryl and I have been in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA's AirVenture Air Show. We've been meeting with airplane manufacturers with the hopes of finding an airplane for the Global Hug Tour. Here are a few shots from the show... hope you enjoy! (Just double click the image to enlarge, read more detail and be able to comment, thanks!)

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Fast Company Asks- “How Influential Are You?”

How influential are you? Just asking that question makes many people cringe with negative connotations of the meaning of the word "influential". If we go a bit deeper, the dictionary defines, "influential" as one who exerts or possesses influence. "Influence" is defined as the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command or, the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways. In some way, if you're reading this blog, you may have been influenced by the content we provide each day on InspireMeToday.com. (Hopefully in a…

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10 Tips to Get Through Hard Times

Each morning as we wake up we have a choice to determine the direction of the day. We can go into default mode and wake up fearful and worried about things like how am I going to pay the bills, heal this relationship, find a job, etc..... or we can make the conscious decision to choose the kind of day we'd like to experience. Many times the events of the day happen so quickly, we get caught up in the drama and we truly feel that we don't have a choice. Things just happen. Bad things happen to good people…

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Transforming Mountains to Molehills

What I think is a mountain today, is a molehill tomorrow. - Gail Lynne Goodwin In 1991 - 1992 I attended Jean Houston's Mystery School. I clearly remember an exercise we did one morning. Through a guided visualization process she asked us to focus our attention on a problem, challenge, difficulty we were currently experiencing in our lives. As the process continued she instructed us to view the problem as though it has occurred 1 year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 100 years ago. Not only did my mountain turn into a molehill - from the vantage point…

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