Yesterday we took Koda, our big white fluffy fur ball of a dog for a hike in the newly fallen snow by our home in Montana. Being a Samoyed, Koda loves the snow and went bounding into the forest and fields jumping, rolling in it and playing in every way possible. I had to laugh at his unbridled enthusiasm.

What struck me the most was our big white furry dog was no longer white- he was cream colored against the backdrop of the stark white snow. I smiled and wondered how many other things in my life I automatically judge or evaluate as black or white, good or bad, etc, without thinking, in comparison to what?

Koda was white until he stood next to something that actually was white- then he wasn’t.  A bear in a photograph is so cute, until you put him next to you on a trail, then he’s not. Losing ten pounds is a good thing- unless you’re ill and you’re trying to gain weight. It’s all a matter of perspective.

That made me pause and look at things in my life that I judge and ask myself, as compared to what? The problem that seemed to be so big suddenly got small when I changed my perspective and asked myself, “As compared to what?” When we change the background or the circumstances our perspective can change dramatically. Great opportunity comes from the fact that we get to choose our perspective.

When I readjust my view of ‘what is’ and look at a big problem in comparison to the world in front of me, it is but a speck of dust. Just changing the way we see things can help us put things back in their proper perspective and therefore, deal with issues and opportunities more effectively.

For example, if you think your job stinks ask yourself, as compared to what? You have a job and many don’t. Or perhaps you think you are broke, but again… as compared to what? You have the ability to read these words and the mind to question your life- so you are already more fortunate than so many.

I encourage you to do two things right now.

The first thing, reevaluate the worst things you say about yourself- and stop doing it. Stop beating yourself up. Look at things from a different perspective and ask yourself the question, as compared to what? Chances are you’ll see the blessings that have been in front of you all along and things that might have been perceived as problems will diminish right in front of your eyes.

Secondly, take this opportunity to change your perspective and come from a place of gratitude. That alone can create the biggest shift in our lives- when we change the backdrop of our life to one of gratitude. Wherever we are in life, we all have something to be grateful for.

And all of this came from thinking I had a white dog- until I realized that I didn’t. I have a cream-colored dog, and that’s a good thing….. or is it, as compared to what?

This morning I wanted to share one of my very favorite poems with you, called the Desiderata. It was written more than 50 years ago by a man named Max Erhmann. If this sounds familiar as you’re reading it, this was turned into a recording and was quite popular on the radio in 1971. I just purchased the recording on iTunes this morning.

This powerful little poem was the inspiration behind our Today’s Brilliance on InspireMeToday.com. As you know, each day we ask a new Inspirational Luminary, “If today were your last day and you had 500 words to share with humanity, what would you say? What have you learned that you’d want to share?”

I believe that the Desiderata would have been Max Ehrmann’s Today’s Brilliance. So, I share it with you here and invite you to write your own 500 words. Don’t worry if it’s not as eloquent as this poem- what matters is that you write it for yourself. If you’re anything like me, it will bring up all kinds of things for you- in a really good way. If you do decide you’d like to share it, please post it below. I’d love to see hundreds of them posted here!

But for now, go enjoy the wisdom of Max Erhmann and the Desiderata and be inspired.

With love and hugs,

Gail

The Desiderata
- by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Dear Friends,

My blog today is a bit different in that it’s a personal letter from me to you. Let me start by saying, “Thank you” for being such a valued member of our InspireMeToday.com community. I personally appreciate your support.

I wanted to talk with you today about several things that we’ve been working on for the last few months. Recently you might have noticed a few minor changes to the site where we implemented your recommendations for improvement. We asked, you answered and we responded. We greatly appreciate your input which allows us to constantly improve our site for you.

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Many of you have asked how you can help InspireMeToday.com continue to provide high-quality inspiration and help us grow.  Here are 5 simple things YOU can do right now to help….

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- Book Gail to Speak- Speaking to your corporate or civic group allows us to share our message with more people and grow our InspireMeToday community. Email bookgail@inspiremetoday.com for topics, rates and availability.

It is our intention to keep our inspiration free for everyone and with your help, I feel confident that we can continue to do so. Please feel free to share your suggestions with us on how we can continue to improve our site. In an effort to continually improve, please tell me what you like and what doesn’t work for you. We’re here to listen anytime. We’re here FOR you and truly want to inspire your world. Please, share your comments below.

Thank you again for being part of the community and for caring and sharing your thoughts with us. We invite you to comment below and get the discussion going within the community. Thanks again and know that we love and appreciate your support.

Hugs,

Gail

Yesterday afternoon I took a break and went for a walk with my dog Koda along the shore of Flathead Lake, where we live in Northwest Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest lake west of the Mississippi- about 12 miles wide by more than 30 miles long. The shoreline of this alpine, mountain lake is very beautiful, covered with rocks of all shapes and sizes.

I needed a break from what could have been a stressful situation, so I went for a walk to play on the beach with Koda and reconnect with nature. Walking along the beach I started looking at the rocks. For some reason, the rocks in Montana look like Easter eggs to me. They are various shades of green, red, grey, blue and white and are simply gorgeous. I’m always fascinated by the shapes and intricacies of each rock. For me, it’s almost a form of meditation and I could spend hours looking at the variations.

After walking for a bit and thinking hard about this particular situation I decided to focus on what I was doing and let go of the situation. I allowed myself to just take in the beauty that surrounded me, be present and pay attention to what I was seeing IN THAT MOMENT. Something shifted.

They say you get what you’re focusing on and what you’re looking for, right? I went there to reconnect, to remember that I’m part of something so much bigger- and I found it. As I walked along the shoreline I kept seeing rocks shaped like hearts! I felt like the Universe had sent me a belated Valentine’s Day card- or 5 or 6 of them, all in the form of heart-shaped rocks. As silly as it sounds, I felt loved. I felt like I mattered. And, I felt like the situation that  could have been perceived as problem, didn’t matter at all.

In that moment, my day changed. I don’t think it was a coincidence that these rocks were there when I needed their message. I’m sure they’ve been there- on this same beach- all along. What was different was my intention. I was looking for reconnection. I was looking for confirmation that I mattered.

Through the beauty of Nature, I was once again reminded that I am an infinite being with unlimited possibility. If the Universe could put heart-shaped rocks in my path to show me how much I am loved, then certainly what I perceived as a problem was nothing more than a tiny bump in the road. I have the choice how to react to whatever shows up, and I’m choosing to react from a place of balance and calm rather than from fear. I choose love, knowing that I am loved.

Take some time for you today to reconnect in whatever way works best for you. Perhaps you’ll find heart-shaped leaves or dollar sign shaped clouds. Whatever you need to find for you will be there, just like my heart-shaped rocks were there for me. There’s something very magical about this and I can’t wait to hear your stories. Please share with us what you find on your path.

May your day be filled with sunshine and may you remember the depth of your own magnificence.

Hug,

Gail

p.s. Can you see the six hearts in the picture or am I just crazy??