I have been asked many a time about the difference between inspiration and motivation.

 

We love getting motivation from various sources. A YouTube video, a story online, a friend(s). Yet some of these experiences are more inspirational than motivational.

 

Inspiration is largely connected to an internal feeling while motivation is driven from direct action, mostly external.

 

The visual is of us being a boat in the untamed ocean of life, tossed around depending on the weather. The beacon on the horizon is the inspiration that is PULLING us forward. It comes from deep within, and a longing desire to chase that once long held dream close to our hearts. To be able to set it free and see us living that goal. When we see other people do something amazing or similar, it fans that flame to be pulled toward our OWN dream and aspirations.

 

The motivation comes when we are externally PUSHED forward. The boat is pushed forward towards the beacon by the wind and the force of the seas. Whether it is by other people guiding us along or encouraging us or creating an environment or space for us to grow that allows or even helps us to heal and pursue that goal. It requires a force. Sometimes that motivation can be a pain that is too great and requires us to get unstuck from our comfort zone, to get jostled and loose from our bondaged thinking and be released from that inertia and build forward momentum.

 

Now what happens in between the inspiration and the motivation? What lies between our boat being pulled and pushed, internal and external forces in a constant play of dance. That journey of in between is our WHY. Why do we want this for ourselves or others? Why do we choose to get better and become healthy, wealthy and wiser? Why do we love to fulfill that goal? Why is that goal so important? It is the WHY that carves out the space to get us where we want to go. The WHY is the PATH.

 

So inspiration…. The why…. The motivation. These 3 are the steps to achieving any goal. Yet on the way there will be as many obstacles as there are dangers in any ocean. Predators, unpredictable storms, unfavorable conditions all hinder our boat, but when we are reminded to focus on the inspirational beacon to help navigate our course, we become calm. Envy, jealousy, anger, hate, complacency, apathy, doubt and fear all play their roles as the challenges to our figurative boat on our worldly travels. We may see someone being inspirational and our mind in a fit of jealousy tries to discard them as being ridiculous or overreaching and then we settle with “ well that is just not for me, or I cannot do that, I am built differently, they are just too much etc ” as we cement our own wall around us with more excuses.

 

Hence before starting any project whether it is in a relationship, an exercise program, a nutritional shift, a habit change, wealth growth plan, it is wise to have powerful enough “ whys “ and not just the solid inspirational beacon, that will guide us to our goals.

 

It is equally important to give ourselves a wide berth during our journey that is filled with gratitude and grace. No course is ever smooth sailing. if it were, then there would be no fun in practicing the tricks of the trade to overcome the hurdles and challenges that make us evolve. Sailing would be no fun, life would be no fun.

 

The more fun we have on our path, the greater the realization that all is love. The path, the challenges, the people we meet along the way, the environment, even us, everything is part of that consciousness of love. And since love is perfect energy, then even our journey, no matter how tumultuous and fraught with seemingly insurmountable mountains, is all the perfection of love at play.

 

Life is an adventure, a celebration that we are invited to rise to each day.

………….

 

I love you