This week my thoughts keep circling back to the importance of inspiration… I like to think of inspiration as the energetic fuel that keeps us going when we are going through times of great transition and change. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel that bostlers our spirit.
Inspiration also means the act of drawing air into the lungs. Air, naturally, is the most basic need that we have for survival. Therefore, inspiration not only is perhaps the fuel for our spirit, but also the fuel for our bodies.
When we practice the art of mindful breathing- or inspiration- we practice the art of being in the NOW. Being able to stay in the present is so valuable for our ever busy minds, that wish to dash off and dash away from the present. Thus we have inspiration to thank for calming the mind.
When we feel inspired, when we are breathing, when we are finding a stillness in our mind and body, we find our way back to ourselves. We might not always recognize the person we find, because cancer can impact us in fundamental ways, but for most of us there is at least a glimmer of who we have always considered ourselves to be. Especially if we focus on the act of simply being with our breath.
You don’t have to do extraordinary things to connect with inspiration, although it is always inspiring to see examples of authenticity and bravery- like the remarkable breast cancer survivors who walked the catwalk this week at New York fashion week, representing AnaOno Intimates. Or the story of Patti McCarthy who hiked through cancer treatment in order to keep herself reminded of her passions, “A passion that would let me live life, and not be swallowed up by cancer”.
Whatever form it might take, take some time to find inspiration. Feed yourself, feed your soul and share it with others as a reminder to breathe.
As Marty Rubin reminds us:
Sometimes just breathing is enough
And I might add- the only thing that is possible for you at this time…
– Stephanie McLeod-Estevez, LCPC, is an art therapist and breast cancer survivor, and a former oncology counselor at the Dempsey Center. She began Creative Transformations to help others who are healing from a life threatening illness or injury. Through Creative Transformations, Stephanie works with people in person and online to offer cancer coaching, a DIY Individual Art Therapy program to enhance any healing work you are undertaking; workshops; and this weekly blog. Sign up today so you never miss one by visiting our website, Creative Transformations, where you will also find the links to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.