Wednesday, April 21, 2010

WHAT INSPIRES ME; AGAIN IT'S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

Inspiration Today before Ily's Post!

Close-up of Inspiration

Discarded Ribbon in Field...Twisted almost into the Symbol for 
INFINITY!


It's all a matter of perspective. Ily from Lil Red Hare, asked the provocative question: "What Inspires You?", after brilliant examples of what Inspired her. Others commented, inspiring me!

This is something that always is on my mind in one way or another! What is going to make me get up off the couch today? Most days recently I haven't felt like it. I just want to lay there in a funk staring mindlessly at a TV Screen. It's very easy that way. No expectations--no disappointments!

I should be dead. I got a do over- after a Triple Bypass in 2004. This should be enough one would think to Inspire me for a Lifetime! To a degree it did. It also led to other circumstances that left me depressed. As time went on- Ecstatic..depressed, ecstatic,-  Up, Down, Up Down...a veritable Yo-Yo effect. Similar to dieting!
IT'S CALLED: LIVING!

My wife kept asking at times, Don't you realize what you have been given? The Gift of a second chance? A Mulligan! Another shot! So, I should have a totally new perspective on life right? Really? OK. But the jumping up and down stage is over! That's why I bought a Wii  !!!  LOL!

I'm very very grateful that we have the technology, (not for the Wii- ((for the By-pass!)), that cheated death and gave me  "X"  more years on Earth. I was also completely at peace with the other alternative too. Death.
Oh, come on..many say--You can't really mean that!

Yes I can. And do. Don't tell me how I feel about that! That's a perspective I have a firm grip on!

However, something happened over the past Month, to Month and a Half that changed my perspective, my outlook! What or Why, exactly--  I honestly don't know? Prayer?- probably! Karma? Luck? Whatever happened, I have a new-found joy in Life again. Blogging, Friends, Going, Doing, Hoping,..... I'm not sure why,  but all of a sudden it's back!
Now, I'm looking forward to each new day and the challenges it brings! I did force myself to break that cycle..... I had tried before and failed, but I gave it another go! 

I'm  finding Inspiration in all sorts of places. I'm LOOKING for it! Actively! And when I find it, I'm taking pictures of it, writing it down, and at this point and time Blogging it. That is my artistic outlet. I hope and pray that this may also inspire, spark a smile, jog a memory, anything, in someone who may stumble across this Blog, on their Funk-de-Jour!!

Jim and I were laughing so hard today after only 3 minutes on the phone, just discussing what time I was going to leave Thursday. Crying, we were! Laughing so hard, tears were streaming down our faces like kids at a sleep over! And we haven't even started the trip yet! If this is my last memory on Earth it will be well worth it.
But, I'm also a realist. There will be days when the Inspiration is just not there. To say it is would be a lie. However, I pray I don't dwell there, and if and when that happens; I'll come across a simple, yet profound post from a friend that simply asks, "What inspires you?" I too, hope to inspire someone on a down day, to pick themselves up off the Pity Couch, and propel them into the World of Hope and Inspiration, however brief their journey!

Sometimes that first step is a bitch! Take it- it's worth it!



GRAND CANYON PERSPECTIVE

Three people were viewing the Grand Canyon-- an artist, a pastor and a cowboy. As they stood on the edge of that massive abyss, each one responded with a cry of exclamation:

The Artist said, "Ah, what a beautiful scene to paint!"

The Pastor exclaimed,  "What a wonderful example of the handiwork of God!"

and finally the 

Cowboy mused, "Hell of a place to lose a Cow!"



3 valid and honest observations, eh? Just a matter of perspective!






DOC.  Looks exactly like Doc #1 that died the day we saw Sir Paul in Concert!





I DID NOT TEAR UP THIS COUCH, NOR DID I EAT ALL THE CHEETOS!

This is Faith

These guys help you keep life in perspective! When you think you've got it all together--
CALL A CAT!!!!


JMc











11 comments:

  1. Well, look at this...an inspirational post from "my leetle fren," Juan! :)

    You're right, every day is not going to be a "go out and get 'em!" kind of day, but I agree with your wife, we've been given second chances (maybe even third and forth) and we need to run with it while we still have our legs!

    Beautiful quotes and cute pics, my friend. Have a bee-you-tee-full day, amiguito! :)

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  2. Yup - I suppose the odd kick in the ass is pretty inspirational too.

    I wonder if life is so hard for everyone. Are some more inspired?

    Have a great trip! I wish I were going too. Anywhere.

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  3. John I will answer this same as I answered it there. Inspiration, like love, comes when least expected so i never look for any.

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  4. Ahh, the "Bearded Iris" !

    You've got another thing comin' with the "Floral Heff" season kicking in to high gear !!

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  5. Great post. I especially liked the part about "LOOKING FOR IT". Taking an active approach.

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  6. Ily,

    YOU started all of this, and I Loved it! Thanks, and I'll out run those bound legs like Forrest Gump!

    Then I'll Die! (After hopefully many many anos! Then the fun REALLY starts!

    Much Love,

    Juanny D!!!!!!!


    Jeannie,

    Kicks in the Ass are High Fives from best friends!

    Chica-- you are GOING TO BELIZE--YES???

    High Five my Bestsestestset Friend!

    John

    The walking man- Damn Bro--That will work too!
    Great insight, and seriously--very inspiring; and you're right--I wasn't looking for it- and Bam! There it was! Cool!

    John


    Heff,

    It that a FLEUR Smackdown (As in a Nice challenge)? Or are you saying I'm in for some Bama Eye Candy a la Heff???

    Bring it Baby! After food: Flowers and Gardening give me a woody! HB&G and Nursery? LOL!

    Can't wait Bro!

    Have a monster weekend!

    John

    buffalodick-- Not surprising...not surprising to me at all! Part of my resurgence have been the very people on this page, plus a couple of other special ones. I truly thank you all....and No--there is no responsibility attached, you just being you, reminded me, that I just need to be me...and quit with the excuses and whining!

    John


    TROLL Y2K,

    Seek and ye shall find comes to mind...

    I agree with the walking man, that "things happen, serendipitously",

    I also believe, and at this particular time, I am taking a more proactive approach, as I tend to get lazy and distracted when I'm just waiting on life. Of course both work. But right now I need to create and help along that process. Maybe it isn't as pure as letting it happen- but reacting to the effort is also cool!!!!

    Thanks for the props!! That helped. It all helped gang!

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  7. wow this is great (:

    -cris

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  8. cris,

    Thanks a lot--Big {{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

    John

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Incredibly smart relies: