The Secret - A Matter Of Inspiration

Legend has it that Robert the Bruce of Scotland waslosing the battle and he barely escaped with his life.His soldiers were hard pressed to keep up the fight asmany were wounded and dying. The Bruce, tired, dismayedand broken-hearted found a hidden cave where he tookrefuge.

He threw down his sword and sat to rest a while. Gloomythoughts filled his mind and he reflected on theinsurmountability of the task he had tried toaccomplish. Perhaps Scotland would never be free -- atleast not in his lifetime. Perhaps he should abandonall efforts, give it up and lead an obscure life as afugitive.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, out of thecorner of his eye, he noticed a tiny spider trying toclimb a strand of web that extended from the top of thecave almost to the floor. Up went the spider and just afew feet from the top, it slipped and fell all the waydown.

Over and over again the spider repeated the process asthe exhausted Bruce watched, fascinated by theperseverance of the little life form. Once again thespider climbed, this time almost reaching the top.Again it slipped and fell to the floor of the cave.

Now with rapt attention, Robert the Bruce watched tosee its next move. A few more tries and finally, withone quick dash, the spider reached the ceiling.

The Bruce slowly got up, picked up his sword, clearedthe depressing thoughts from his mind and went backinto the battle, inspired by the strength, will andperseverance of such a tiny creature as a spider. Therest is history. The battle was won and the Bruce was,once more, the triumphant, gallant leader of hispeople.

There are times when everything in life seems dark anddreary. There are those times when we feel we aretotally unable to take the next step or to even moveone inch. These are precisely the times when we mostneed inspiration.

Why inspiration? It helps recharge our energy when allseems hopeless. It gives us encouragement when our"spiritual well has gone dry".

The dictionary gives different meanings to the word,"inspiration". But I think "inspiration" actually meansdivine messages from the Universe. There are manysources of inspiration and I want to list a few of thembelow.

1) Nature -- In the middle of the worst crisis, wecould take a few minutes to clear our minds and look upto the sky or the stars. A little walk in the park orin the woods will do wonders for the body, mind andspirit. Breathe in the fresh air, watch the ripples ona pond or river, get inspired by the sheer magnificenceof Nature.

2) Music -- Listen to some music you really like. Thesound will take your mind to another place and you'llfind that miracles can occur.

3) Books and tapes -- Spend a little time absorbed in agood book. And I don't mean just self-help or spiritualbooks. It could be any book that engages your mind andthoughts. For example, when things seem really gloomyto me, I'd read one of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzantales. For me, that works. For you, it might mean atotally different type of book.

And audio tapes, CD's, video tapes and DVD's have beena wonderful gift from technology. Just the other day Iwatched the movie, Richard Bach's "Jonathan LivingstonSeagull" on my video player. Shortly thereafter, Iwatched the western movie, "They Call Me Trinity" on myDVD player. Talk about being recharged! I was able toface the seeming impossible and come out smiling.

4) Friends -- We are fortunate if we have a few goodfriends. Somebody once asked me if I told my friendsabout something I was very involved with. I smiled andanswered, "Yes, I told them all -- both of them." Realfriends are few and far between, but they can be atremendous help to you by just being there andlistening.

There are other sources of inspiration and I am sureyou can come up with your own list that works for you.For example, take a long drive, go fishing, bake somecookies, paint a picture or make some pottery. Thepoint is simple. Use all the sources of inspirationavailable to get you through your tough times -- tohelp you, not only to overcome but to prosper.

Remember, the Universe is on your side. Just give it achance to show its magnificence in your life. Happinessshould always be our most important goal. All else issecondary. Lift up your eyes and look beyond yourtroubles. Perhaps you'll see a whole new, beautiful daydawning for you. It's there. Go for it.