INSPIRATION IN NEED
Here are three outstanding examples of the positive emotion of INSPIRATION, and how valuable it is to help overcome negativity and flourish.
The first is the Susan Boyle rendition of “Les Miserables’s I Dreamed a Dream”.
At 48 years old this unemployed volunteer charity worker sang this song before a critical and cynical panel and audience, stunning them with an extraordinary performance. She has leaped to stardom and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXPZh4anwyk) has been watched over 100 million times in less than one month.
What a voice and what a choice to capture so many with such a beautiful song!
The second is my coach’s response to Susan’s inspiring example-“So needed at this time”.
In the current recession for so many people facing savings and job losses, swine flu, home ownership endangerment, and people who would like to be able to help others, it is so apt-an inspiring song about a dream sung from such a surprising source. Watching it gives that warm feeling followed by uplift in positivity, and an elevation to the good in a person that helps us all.
The third comes from the example of my family. When the great depression hit in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, my parents had just started their family. My mother’s parents, three brothers, my parents and their three children moved together and then learned new skills and enjoyed life in a new community.
A song, a coach, a family-three moving examples of inspiring use of skills to draw on inner strength, rise and reach higher satisfaction and beauty of life.
INSPIRATION is a positive emotion that helps us thrive, warms our heart, brings out our desire to do good, and urges us to do our best, according to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, renowned positive psychology researcher of positive emotions and professor at Univ. of North Carolina. Read more about her work at www.positivityratio.com.
What do you need in your life? Who can help you achieve that satisfaction? When will you be willing to change to get there? Where are you in the possibility of that necessary change?
Dr. James Prochaska, Univ. of Rhode Island, is noted for his extensive research on change. Here is a brief recap of his model of five stages of change:
1. Precontemplation – haven’t really thought about it, tried and failed, stopped.
2. Contemplation – cons are stronger than the pros, procrastination
3. Preparation – intent to take action; have a possible plan, most successful time to recruit for action in change programs- e.g. coaching.
4. Action – observable behavior change in life-style within the past six months. Vigilance against relapse is most critical.
5. Maintenance – Less tempted to relapse and increasingly more confidant that the change will continue.
INSPIRATION is a good, healthful, moving positive emotion and change is possible to flourish into life satisfaction. I’ve lived it and recommend it.
Rita M. Thompson
Life Coach
