Pre-step for purpose…get inspired

On Monday I'm going to announce Step 1 for finding your purpose, as we've been discussing this week.

In preparation, I give you this…sent to me by a friend earlier this week:

Last night, Betty and I were talking and I said to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug." She then got up, turned off the tv, hid the remote, unplugged the computer, threw out my beer and told me to clean the kitchen...

Don't just exist through this weekend. Do something that inspires you. And activity that wakes up your spirit that may normally be dull and dormant while you put in the 9-5 amidst life's chaos and demands.

Only you know what may revive you:

• Paint a picture
• Go bowling
• Take a hike
• Go dancing
• Take a date with your spouse or significant other
• __________(you fill in the blank)

Participate in something that get's your engines going.

Then tune in Monday for a first step in your journey of discovering…your purpose.

*Picture is of me on a hike last week…the outdoors inspires me. What does' it for you?! Let us know...it might help give someone else an idea.

Comments

[Jonathan Tollefson]

Kevin, great post. Getting out on the water and wakeboarding inspires me and pumps me up. Just being outdoors alone is enough to get my mind off the 9-4, but being on a boat takes it to a whole new level. I might have to try something new also. Change always does something to me. Jon T

[Dallon Christensen]

I'm fortunate to live near one of the great "flat-land" landmarks of our great nation - the Mississippi River. A good, long bike ride with my wife is a great way to clear my mind.

After that, reading a good book while my boys play in the sandbox allows my mind to play in its own sandbox and generate some good ideas.

[Jeff Batson]

Kevin, this post is very inspiring to me. It reminds me that there are amazing people out there like you, who are passionate enough and bold enough to take the time to invest in the lives of others, THAT INSPIRES ME! some things that really inspire me are being outdoors in nature, playing music, and listening to great music.

Jeff Batson

[Kevin Miller]

Jonathan - hey, if i were nearby Id be hitting you up for some
wakeboard schooling and fun. We need to make it happen someday.

[Kevin Miller]

Dallon - water, wife, kids, book...man, youve hit some of my inspiration points there too. Have a blast.

[Kevin Miller]

Jeff - if Ive inspired you...then Im inspired. Thanks Jeff. Music,
music, music! Probably my most consistent source of inspiration. I take
times of silence, but when working and at home I pretty much always have
music playing. Listening to Train on Rhapsody right now. I dont play
any music, but now have kids who do! My son plays James Taylor songs
for me...thats cool.

[Bluejeansva]

Great posts this week Kevin, looking forward to Monday's.

Being outside in nature is very important for me. Taking the dog for a hike or a long walk at the park, going out and playing photographer, observing God's creation or best of all playing at the Oregon Coast. Making sure to take time to just sit and listen to the crashing waves. It doesn't get much better then that.

[Mark]

Funny story ... it does do a great job of bringing your point home

[Larry Morrison]

Nothing like an evening flight in an open cockpit airplane! Away from the hustle and bustle, yet able to smell the burgers cooking on someone's backyard grill. The cool wind on your face, the perspective of the world from altitude, and the freedom of three dimensional movement. Nothing demands as much yet gives as much as flying!

[Jay Lode]

Ahh yes, the mountains are inspiring. Or a walk in the deep dark Tennessee woods. Oh, to get outside of our paradigm(s) and hectic lifestyles. And in laying down the cares of the day, a lot of those "urgent" issues sputter and dissappear by themselves. I think I'll go get lost in painting...a mountain scene.

[Kevin Miller]

Marta - thank you so much. Crashing waves...you hit a hot button for me there. I adore the mountains...this is where I choose to live. But my getaway? The ocean, no doubt.

[Kevin Miller]

Mark - I really enjoy a good movie (which are so rare to find these
days), but overall believe in living life...not spectating an electric
screen

[Kevin Miller]

Larry - an open cockpit plane? OK, you win so far...for the most
adventurous inspiration activity. I dig it.

[Kevin Miller]

Jay - The Rockies are my fave...but I really enjoy the TN Smokies. And
TN woods in the Fall. Shoot us a pic when you paint that mtn scene.

[Mark]

I agree, my wife and I are glad our 2 favorite TV shows are over, so we can just leave that thing off.

Although, I will say I did take time out from my FAA homework to watch "The Blind Side" with my wife. It was worth it... very inspiring. And she helped me with my FAA discovery homework the next night. I'll try to stay away from that thing.

[Kent Julian]

This is one of the reason I coach a summer swim team. At the pool from 8 AM to Noon. Swim Meets on Thursdays from 4:30 - 11 PM. Lots of interaction with young people and their parents (the team I coach has 150 swimmers). And I love every minute of it!

[Kevin Miller]

Kent - yeah, I dig that about you.

[Account Deleted]

So I work late every day this week, and the boss says , "Why aren't you coming to the corporate baseball event Saturday and the corporate challenge event on Sunday? Ummm, maybe because work is just one part of life..not the only part...unless you let it be.

[Nan Henke]

When your work is painting, a walk with a camera and a break from what you OUGHT to be painting to something you just WANT to paint, works!
Here is what I did:
http://www.texashillcountryart.blogspot.com

Nan in Texas

[Justin Hughes]

I'm looking forward to an actual vacation this week. I'll be fly fishing, golfing, talking with my dad, going to the Lake Michigan beach, and hiking the State park sand dunes. I'm looking forward to recharging and getting new inspiration.

BTW, very amusing story.

[Justin Lukasavige]

I love it Kevin - I did three things on this list already without seeing it. We're headed to the pool later this afternoon, which will use the fill-in-the-blank option. I hiked 10 miles on Friday and came up with 6 new ideas for my business.

[Kris]

I just saw this on Sunday afternoon and must have mental telepathy because I started waking up on Friday. Speaking of waking up...I made dinner on the grill on Friday. I blew the dust off my sewing machine and am in the process of making curtains for my bathroom. And my final achievement for the weekend was starting a blog. I have been wanting to write so badly, and a friend has become my accountability and gave me an assignment. As the over-achiever I tend to be, that is how I started my blog. Although I am a communication major and would love to be a public presenter some day, I find writing more of a release of my ideas because they can flow so easily and I feel my thoughts are much more clear than the spoken word.

I look forward to more of what Kevin has to share with us. I cannot stand a stagnant life; that was my life lately.

[Kevin Miller]

Justin - all that you are doing and make happen...it inspires me.

[Kevin Miller]

Justin - thanks for sharing. Im heading to Ouray this weekend for
hiking, fishing, some ATVing...hope you had a great time.

[Kevin Miller]

Nan - I like your niche of TX Hill Country, and on your blog where you
are showcasing ideas you are working on...brilliant. Just make sure
much of you personally is in there as well. Your art is the product
but the key is people relating to YOU.

[Kevin Miller]

Brenda - on one hand it feels companies expect our life to be at work.
But we also have to realize that for most folks, work is the only family
they have. Sad but true. If theyd only realize the intimacy of that
family if it was through work they really cared about and owned, eh?!