Normally I try to work on my newsletter throughout the week and craft something over time. That doesn’t happen every week. And that’s OK. As writers, I think we often polish away the beauty in our writing. Sometimes Sunday rolls around and I sit down in the morning and don’t know what I’m going to write about. Today is one of those days.
One thing I do to try and get an idea of what to write about is scroll through the Note app on my phone. Today I stumbled on this thought from a while back, so this is what I’ll be writing about today. Inspiration and Kindness.
It requires energy and hard work to stay inspired. Most of the time you will fail. So when you get that rare glimpse of inspiration, like a surfer catching the perfect wave, you need to seize it and ride it out for as long as it lasts.
I view inspiration in a similar light with happiness. They go hand in hand. I wrote a little poem about happiness a long time ago (I’m not sure when). The word “happiness” here could easily be substituted with “inspiration.”
Lean Into Happiness
If you’re feeling good today.
If at any point you’re feeling happy about anything.
Lean into that feeling.
Embrace it.
Let it grow.
Let it overtake you.
Share it.
Ride it out for as long as it lasts.
It may be minutes or days.
Most of the time you will fail,
But when it works.
It’s amazing.
It can be trained.
Like a muscle.
The happiness muscle.
What inspires me?
This feels like a good question to ask if you want to get a corny answer. Here’s mine:
Good music, nature, seeing a person step out of their comfort zone.
I try to be conscious of this question when I decide what to consume. Which shows and movies to watch, which books to read, which podcasts to listen to.
If it don't hit my spirit, I don't get near it.
-Joey Badass - “Big Dusty”
What is the kindest thing anyone has done for me?
I had a high school teacher named Mr. Lipp who at some point had an interaction with my parents following an incident where I got in trouble at school. I got caught with weed and was lucky to not be expelled. At some point after, he came up to me in the hallway and said he’d met my parents and talked with them for a little while. He told me I had as good of parents as anyone could ask for and that I was very lucky. It was the timing of it and the way he said it that gave it such weight at the time and in my memory. He somehow knew that I needed to hear that. I didn’t appreciate my parents enough at the time, and it took a long time for his words to sink in, but they did. In some ways I think he was telling me to get my shit together. It would be about another ten years before I would do so, but eventually I did. Thanks in no small part to great teachers and influences like him in my life.
Another thing that comes to mind was a small compliment that an acquaintance gave to me a few years back. Someone took a picture of me and showed it to me. I said, “Wow! I almost look like I’m cool here.” The acquaintance said, “You are cool.” It felt honest, and for whatever reason I really appreciated it and still do. I think being seen as “cool” is something we all strive for yet don’t really like to admit.
How can I be more kind?
When someone messes up, be nice to them. When my daughter spills a glass of milk, just say “It’s ok, we’ll clean it up.”
Give someone a compliment, especially when it feels like it will be awkward or that it could be embarrassing for you. Otherwise it’s probably not that good of a compliment.
If you need help, ask for it. When someone asks you for help, they are doing you a kindness by selecting you for help. There are few things more rewarding than being of service to a friend. Or even a stranger.
Song of the Week
This song has been a source of inspiration to me since I first heard it. It’s one of the rare songs I’ve listened to hundreds of times without getting sick of. The lyrics are deep and profound, the melody and harmonies are lovely. Here is a snippet of the lyrics.
Under the curving sky
I'm finally learning why
It matters for me and you
To say it and mean it too
For life and its loveliness
And all of its ugliness
Good as it's been to me
I have no enemies
I have no enemies
I have no enemies
I have no enemies
Article of the Week
https://substack.com/home/post/p-148420842?r=jkbnn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is an excellent summation of information on why there is a “health crisis” in the United States and many ideas on how we can fight it. The quality of the links and resources provided throughout are impressive and expertly woven together. The level of passion that Justin has for these issues is rare and inspiring.
Questions for You
What inspires you?
What is the kindest thing anyone has done for you?
Thank you for reading!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
-Sam
One useful idea I learned in teacher's college is to give very specific compliments.
You want to reinforce a positive behavior. You want that person to do more of that particular behavior.
As a teacher, an example might be saying to a student, "I really liked the way you showed your work on this math problem. It helps me understand your thinking. It makes it easier for me to help you."
With your child it may sound like, "I appreciated the way you picked up all your stuffed animals tonight and put them in the box in your bedroom. I only had to ask you once to do it."
These specific compliments are much better than a generic, "Good job!" or "You're awesome!"
I think the reason specific compliments work is that the person you are complimenting knows you are paying close attention to them. They feel like you see them, and we all like to be seen by others.
Music, books and most important, my friends inspire me!