Feb 182019
 

I have always hated being asked Who inspires you and why? It’s always sounded like a clichΓ© question and a kind of judgment since most people annoyingly say The Dalai Lama or Mother Theresa or some other icon of sycophants’.

Sound cynical enough for you? πŸ€·πŸ½β€β™€οΈ

In my reality and view of the world, I think independence and self-determination includes not looking to anyone else to motivate or ‘inspire’. I believe these should come from within us, then it’s more achievable.

I might pedantically accept the phrasing of Who do you aspire to be like? over the former.

What’s the difference? you might be questioning…. lemme ‘Tara ‘s’plain’.

It comes down to the source for action.

Aspiring to be like someone means that one must work within themselves to emulate another whom one looks up to. Being inspired by another is a passive act. The grammar alone proves that. Aspiring is active. But, you have to be inspired from an outside force to take action.

So… no one inspires me really.

That question will always vex me because I have never been extrinsically motivated to take actions in my life. However, if I ever were forced to choose someone, I believe I finally have a name that I might tentatively share, though the fear of falling into a clichΓ© would likely stop me. πŸ˜›

Reading Michelle Obama’s book _Becoming_ is the reason I have a possible name. She came from a middle class family and acknowledges the opportunities that were not only placed before her, but also those she worked to make for herself. Through hard work and being a decent human being, she touched lives and has made a difference in the world.

The frequent saying that the best leaders are those who don’t want to be is one that I would absolutely apply to her. Though she makes it clear that politics was never her thing, once she moved into the spotlight, she shone bright and guidingly.

While not everyone liked the Obama administration, just like many do not like our current one, I always try to avoid making much of a political statement. I believe these kinds of conversations are only safest amongst the very nearest and dearest to keep the peace. I respect everyone’s point of view even if I strongly disagree, but this isn’t always the case for others.

So, I do not feel inspired by Michelle Obama because of the politics connected to her, but rather for her determination to be the best that she can be and to help others to do the same. She may have had a leg up compared to others like her, but still she worked hard along with her husband to become who they are today.

It is this fact that moves me as a humanist, who believes that every person has the opportunity to be anything even those in seemingly dire circumstances. Sometimes, it is easier for some than others, but we can all be more than we are if we want it to happen.

Therefore, while I liked the public persona that she presented before I read the book, I like her even more after reading her story. It’s a shame more people like her and her husband don’t get to share their stories as examples of inspiring human beings.

Thus, if I haven’t made it clear, I highly recommend this book. It’s put me on the path for aspiring to find inspiration in others. πŸ˜‰

~T πŸ˜€

Feb 112019
 

One of my goals this year is to read more. Though I do read a relatively good amount most years, it is usually done in a binge-style manner on holidays like a plant 🌱 soaking up water when it’s soil is dry.

So, to avoid this pattern and to shift what gets inputted into my mind, I’ve made a bit of a reading list based on recommendations from FB friends (thank you!!! πŸ™) and my own Amazon wishlist that seems to only grow longer.

Also, in my aim to write more myself, I have learned that I need to expose myself to a variety of writing styles and methods to find what resonates with my own style.

In less than two months, I have covered these five books with Becoming being the one I just finished yesterday.

Many years ago, I listened to audiobooks especially as my dad liked them while on road trips and such. In those days, it was cassette tapes or DVD πŸ“€ recordings. Now, it’s all on my phone πŸ“² coming from some ‘cloud’ above.

The digitalization of books may have been a lament to paper book πŸ“š lovers, but traveling and frequent moves has pushed me to appreciate digital ones. Of course, there is still something to the tactile experience of flipping pages and connecting physically to the book itself.

However, I’m finding that the joy of audiobooks is useful for long walks to the station, commutes and workouts. While I still love my podcasts, which is like a TV series vs a movie, I run out of episodes very quickly so then I can ‘read’ while waiting for new ones. Strangely, I prefer TV series to movies though….

Anyway, three of the five titles above were ‘read’ aurally rather than with my eyes. But, I have experienced them similarly.

Plus, my reading πŸ“– consumption has practically tripled! πŸ˜‰

As for my thoughts on them, they were all enjoyed in different ways. So, I’ll only write a few sentences or two on them.

The Sakey book is part of a trilogy and I will definitely read the next one. It’s a bit like X-men without the extreme fantasy side of their ‘talents’.

James Patterson is always a good quick read on a cold or sick day. πŸ€ͺ

I discovered Olsen from trolling someone else’s reading requests online as he’s a Pacific Northwest writer. It’s nice to read/hear the references to ‘home’ along with his engaging storytelling as a psychological thriller type author. This is the second of his I’ve read and won’t be the last.

Listening to Trevor Noah with his voice was amazing really as there is something about having the person tell his own story. I don’t follow him on The Daily Show as it’ll never be what Jon Stewart made it (sorry…), but I feel it was an inspiring story of his beginnings.

Having just finished Becoming, I am still processing it. Probably I’ll write a separate post on it soon as I can only express my feelings at the moment in one word – inspiring. And, I really have a hang up about this word…yet there it is.

So, by increasing what goes in my mind through reading, I am enjoying mundane activities each day more while maintaining my before-bed reading habit and fueling my own imagination.

Can’t wait for my next read….

~T πŸ˜€

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