Inspiring People

 I often look to find inspiration for my writing in the world around me. Many times, this inspiration is found in nature, but it is also found in coffee shops, malls and playgrounds, among other places. This is where I might find inspiration for a character or scene.

But sometimes the inspiration I'm seeking is for something different. For something that will keep me focused or on track. We are all surrounded by inspiring people. Those who have achieved success in the face of great odds. Those who have persevered. Their stories have the ability to keep me going even when the road is bumpy. These people are all around us if we only stop to listen. It is less often that I stop to consider myself inspiring.

On a drive through the Wyoming mountains one day, I informed my husband I was going to climb the Grand Teton, in Grand Teton National Park. My husband knew me well. "You can't do it. You're afraid of heights." Yet, I knew I wanted to climb that mountain. I overcame my fear of heights, spent two summers training and eventually made it to the top. The task was not easy. The trail was long and uphill. I became winded along the way and at times had to overcome my fear. I walked in the dark and stood on a windblown summit. 

We each have stories of when we worked through a difficult process to find completion. Times when the going was tough and even so, we pushed through. Others would find these slices of life inspiring. Others would think we have it all together and can do anything we put our minds to doing. 

Perhaps today is the day we should all focus on becoming more "self-inspiring." Instead of remembering all of our failures, which seems somedays quite easy, remind ourselves of the successes. Some of us have written a short story, others have had that short story read, praised and published. Others have completed a chapter or two, a novella or novel, or other work. Some have taken a goal of writing each day and achieved it. We are all so amazing in the things we've accomplished. Today, inspire yourself to greatness.

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D. Jean Quarles is a writer of Women's Fiction and a co-author of a Young Adult Science Fiction Series. Her latest book, Flight from the Water Planet, Book 1 of The Exodus Series was written with coauthor, Austine Etcheverry.

D. Jean loves to tell stories of personal growth – where success has nothing to do with money or fame, but of living life to the fullest. She is also the author of the novels: Rocky's Mountains, Fire in the Hole and, Perception. The Mermaid, an award winning short story was published in the anthology, Tales from a Sweltering City.  

She is a wife, mother, grandmother and business coach. In her free time . . . ha! ha! ha! Anyway, you can find more about D. Jean Quarles, her writing and her books at her website at www.djeanquarles.com

You can also follower her at www.djeanquarles.blogspot.com or on Facebook