You are the inspiring story.  YOU.  Yes, you!

I know that many times in my life, I’ve been told that I inspire others in some way or another. I’m happy that I’ve been that for others. The truth is, I’ve often been uninspired and even depressed. I believe deep in my heart that WE all have that capacity in us.  It may just be we could be the difference in someone choosing to move forward or maybe avoiding taking their own life.

So, how do we become that inspiring story that might empower others? I believe there are just a 5 things we need to do.

Draw From The Stories of Others. I start from outside of ourselves because there’s someone in this world who will motivate your new and powerful story.

I love to read stories of others and bring that to light.  Today there are so many stories available to us via the internet.  All you have to do is look.  Stuff like:

The father & son team of Dick & Rick Hoyt. Dick has over 1,000 races where he has pushed his disabled 51 year old son in a wheelchair.  Rick has cerebral palsy.

Joanne Rowling, better known as JK Rowling, wrote Harry Potter and literally became a billionaire, despite at one time suffering from major depression and living on welfare.

There’s also a great website called Everyday Heroes.  Check it out: https://everydayheroes.life/herostories/

Lead From Where You Are. Every one of us has a story.  It really doesn’t matter where you start.  For some like Rowling, they are dirt poor.  For some like Colonel Harlan Sanders, it’s age 65 and finding that that social security check isn’t going to be enough.  For others, like  Mother Theresa, it was about loving the dying and diseased in Calcutta.

Just start. From. Where. You. Are.  Leadership inspires.  Be that leader! It’s not easy, but it is rewarding. When you’re starting that new business or relationship, it won’t FEEL easy, but the journey begins with that first step. I’ve felt trepidation when I started my business. I felt anxiety when I moved to Chicago to start a new relationship. I have felt different emotions when I started, but in ALL cases, I felt better from just starting, and in most cases someone else was inspired by my actions.

There’s a Story Being Born in You. When you watch a movie, there’s always a protagonist who faces a challenge or a challenger to overcome. In the animated movie, Aladdin, it’s obviously Aladdin facing off against the challenge of being street rat wanting a princess and the evil Jafar.

Our story may not seem so dramatic,  but here’s what I know:  when you show up every day and play full out to solve your problems, there’s a victory you are winning.  The hero is you and you play to win every day.  That inspires others when they see you doing it without complaint and being your very best in your own trials.

Enthusiasm is  a Catalyst. In a world where our world gets colored with the daily news feed (or Facebook, for that matter) repeating endlessly the latest negative verbiage of the latest homicide, political corruption, or pro athlete’s indiscretions, people long for positive emotion.

You can be that positive emotional catalyst!  When you show up for what you do with enthusiasm, people get that charge for your engaged presence.  We  get to choose whether we have a negative, complaining energy, or a massive dose of what’s right and what’s good.  That energy is sorely needed and it’s an everyday choice.  That enthusiasm inspires and it makes people happy just to be around you.  I will admit to needing more of this in my life and I so appreciate those uber enthusiastic people who spark the fire.

Be the Inspiration the World Needs. It’s time to quit looking for the heroes and be that hero.  Yes, by all means read and look for the stories that empower you from within! Then, lead from where you are, realizing there’s a story being born inside of you. Your enthusiasm and animation for life will create that spark of inspiration that will change the world.  People say they can’t change the world and I say this:

We can change the world in which we live.   Why not start today?