Inspired

Basically as soon as I knew how to screenshot something on my iPhone I was hooked.  I began saving pics of pretty scenery, quotes I loved, outfits I wanted to emulate.  The word “muse” comes to mind but this is not the extent I want to relay.  To me, “muse” is long-term.  It’s someone who serves as constant inspiration for whatever your project maybe. These moments I compile are tiny hits of inspiration that are ever-changing and always being replaced or forgotten.  It’s the things in life that come across my path that cause me to make a certain “small” decision. It’s like this: I see a bright bunch of flowers at the farmer’s market and then choose my outfit based on that combination of vibrant orange and hot pink that I saw in those flowers.  Get it?

Boom.

Inspired.

I am a collector of beautiful things and by “beautiful” I mean something that provokes emotion in me, just as much as something that I see as physically and aesthetically pleasing.   Pinterest and Instagram has made this possible

As we speak, I’m sitting at a Panera drinking iced coffee and I can hear one of the male cashiers tell every customer to “have a beautiful day” at the end of their order.  This is something that inspires me.   The same man let me know he loved my dress while I was getting my coffee.  Some people barely squeeze out a “thank you” or a “bye.”  I always know that I am in that specific place and time because I was meant to witness that kindness and beauty.  (Huge believer in timing right here.)

Anyway, I feel like starting a regular recap of my own inspiring moments I collected with all of you.  Thursday night seemed like a good time to do this.  Right before we head into the weekend, the last night that isn’t particularly joyful for most since we have one more day of work.  Some times I might have lots of quotes, one time I may seem to be drawn toward landscapes, and I just know that my collection will include a lot of style, fashion, and even some gorgeous people.

I’m hoping that by sharing my inspirations, you notice those moments in your own lives and let them inspire you to do something wonderful.

Beauty is all around.

I’ve started here with my Instagram picks from the last few days.

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Umm, hello, I’m going here.  Something for me to reach for.

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This one is all about the caption!

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Every struggle is a chance to grow.

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Seriously.  My astrology sign cat is Indiana.  It’s fate.

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Listen to yourself.  You will hear what you want.

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We can heal ourselves from within.  Oh yes.

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I’m betting on myself.  How about you?

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Yessssss.  No one is telling you what to do, say, think, or believe.  That’s all you.

Yours,

Whitney Victoria

Look Up! Inspiration’s Everywhere

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Oh wait, you mean I don’t go directly to my Instagram feed for daily inspo?  Sure, I do that, but I’m actually pretty zen (hah!) and see inspiration all around me!  It’s the tiniest things that sometimes mean the most.  Like finding a penny in the parking lot.  That penny was put there for me to find.  I truly believe that.  Maybe it’s a date of something I’m meant to remember.  Maybe the 2 seconds in which I bent down to pick it up saved me from getting in an accident.  The fact is, I totally paused, and noticed.  That penny might give me the next billion $ idea.

Inspiration

(Oxford English Dictionary definition…because if it’s good enough for Rory Gilmore,  it’s good enough for me.)
  1. The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. 

  2. A person or thing that inspires.

  3. A sudden brilliant or timely idea.

  4. Divine influence, especially that supposed to have led to the writing of the Bible.

It is sooo interesting that humans naturally do not look up. I think it has something to do with us not having natural predators from the sky…I could be way off so don’t tweet that.  But anyway, start by looking up!  I’m super child-like and still think clouds are fascinating.  They change every day in shapes and sizes and colors and how much sun streams through them.  Yeah, that’s inspo free of charge, courtesy of G.O.D. (Yeah, you know me.)

Back to Insta/IG, seriously, what are the cool kids calling it?  Instagram has actually made me notice even more tiny works of art and great marketing signs all around.  When I see some amazing photo op, obviously I want to share it as much as possible, via social media!  I genuinely like to put it out there and get a person moving on that soul train.  It’s like paying it forward but with sharing kindness.  Oh god, that took a turn down Rainbows and Puppy Dogs Alley.

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Unicorn Don’t Care.

I’m always looking to get into peak state.  (Shout out to Tony!  Hit the link.  More on that later.  I’m obsessed.)  I want to be excited about life and feel good about it.  It’s simple, but not easy.  I still have to choose to work on it every day.  It’s not something that comes naturally to most of us; I’ve just trained myself to look for it.

Now please, take some of my favorite ways into consideration.

  • Take a different route to work tomorrow!  No doubt you’ll see something amusing.

Today I used my GPS to go a new way to my friend’s house.  I got to drive through a scenic route that I didn’t know existed and was surrounded by gorgeous tree-lined streets.  I know, I know, I’m wonderful.  I took the road less traveled.   Please call me Whitney Frost.

  • Google inspiring movies!

I just watched The Pursuit of Happyness and now think I can be a stock broker.

  • Listen to a podcast! Hint, hint…

I’ve heard countless quotables that I write down on sticky notes.  Sometimes I throw them in my purse or stick them to the back of my phone.  I’ve even written phrases on my hand, like a high school kid, if it’s something I want to remember.

  • Make a vision board!

Flip through a magazine.  You have no idea how nerdy I am about VBs.  Just proved my point by abbreviating it to “VBs.”  I get little bursts of happiness when I cut something out for my boards.  I’d call it one of my hobbies at this point since I set aside time to sit on my bed and clip some  pics of Zac Efron and Tahiti.  Trust me. It’s a good time.  #joyjolt

Get out there. Find something that inspires you in your daily routine.  It’s there.  Stop and look around.

I dare you.