Tip of the Day: Motivation

Sometimes, you see something and instantly feel the urge to respond.

Yesterday, I came across a great post with a motivational video that wrapped up with: “What’s your favorite routine that gets you fired up?”

So, naturally, I wrote, “I smile and remind myself of who I am and what I’ve done. Every single morning.”

Now, you may think that’s not much of an achievement or it’s just me trolling – Oh, so you got up in the morning? Congrats!

Yeah, thanks. I did. But I also got up after I spent an entire year virtually paralyzed due to severe spinal issues I had a few years back. Not to mention all the years of recovery, and the things I’m still going through, even though I am “okay” today.

We look for inspiration in people around us, whose stories echo admirable achievements, when all we need to do is look within.

External motivation makes for an excellent push, but it’s usually short-lived. The true motivation comes from inside.

It’s wonderful to hear stories of famous people who have made it, but that’s all they are: stories. You never get to see the struggles, and the tears, and the breakdowns. The moments of doubts and letting go. And then grasping once again at that final, broken straw, and holding on with everything you have left.

My story isn’t great. If anything, it’s a harrowing one. And my achievement isn’t the fact that today I can do most things that a “normal” person can do again. Like walking, jogging, sitting. Doing sports.

My achievement is every moment I didn’t give up. Every step I made when I couldn’t. Every breathing exercise I did when I couldn’t breathe. And every time I cried for hours or days and then got up and did the only thing I could – walk. Because everything else was out of the question.

Every cell in my body loathes this part of my life. But through some perverse twist of fate, it’s also the best thing that has ever happened to me. Because without it, I could never have become the person I am today. And for the first time in my life, I really like who I am. And I would never have had the courage to do the things I do. And I truly love what I do.

So, stop looking for inspiration in others and, for once, look within. Your story may not have a grand ending yet, but you’ve been building the storyline your entire life. You’ve added meaningful chapters every time you didn’t give up, every time you did something differently, every time you were kind to a stranger. And every time you made a mistake and said sorry, or decided never to do it again. Every time you stumbled or failed but persevered.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be resilient. You don’t have to be anything else but you.

And it’s not that you don’t have a story. It’s just that your story is in the making. So be kind to yourself. Because every step counts, even the ones you make in your head.

And next time, when you’re looking for a sign that everything will be okay, look in the mirror. And smile.