Wednesday Wisdom 2/11/09

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant, there is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks. – Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Our beautiful and exceptionally talented goddaughter, Lauren Delapaz, plays for Eastern Michigan University’s women’s baseball team. Last week I found out one her coach’s strategies for success. Each and every day, a player brings an inspiring thought to team practice and the team contemplates it. Hum, great idea, huh?!?

It’s no wonder their team is motivated to drive for results. Somehow we all know it works for sports teams, so why wouldn’t it work for us? Why live without regular inspiration? Lauren’s coach, Karen Baird, teaches us that without specific intention, it’s easy to rush through our days with little or no attention to the small and great opportunities each day offers.

Some start each day with prayer to increase their awareness of the day’s gifts. Some meditate. The meditation may be contemplative prayer – a way to listen rather than always do the talking – a way to eventually reduce the mental chatter that so easily occupies the mind. Some read an inspiring passage to begin their day with mental readiness. What do you do to begin your day with a zest for life and attention to what the day will offer? If it’s nothing, you may want to reconsider the start of each day. And, today’s as good as any to begin.