Inspiring others

I got a note today on my facebook saying that because of me my friend Teresa has joined weight watchers and is going to go to her first meeting tonight.

Teresa, I know that you are going to do well. I'm so proud of you for taking this first step. I'm glad that you found inspiration through my journey and now you will be able to inspire others.

I have had trouble in the past with the thought that I was inspiring others. I know that it sounds silly, but I thought if I was inspiring others and then screwed up I would have to deal with letting others down. I was talking about it with my friend Jason. He has a most inspiring blog at run 4 change. He told me that I inspire him. I couldn't believe that I actually inspire him when he is someone that is a great inspiration to me. We discussed my problems with being an inspiration to others. He told me that it was my attitude and my positive personality that inspired him not necessarily my weight loss. I was thinking of this inspiration deal in terms of my weight loss. If I gained my weight back I would let people down, but it's not necessarily the weight loss that is inspiring them.

I got to thinking that is what I need to strive for in life. I need to always be positive. I need to have a great attitude. Even if I gain my weight back (which I won't) I can still provide inspiration, by how I decide to deal with it. I won't be letting anyone down if I mess up. I'll be being real and sharing what comes with that and getting up, dusting myself off, and starting over. I will encourage those that mess up to do the same. Look at life as the glass is half full, not empty. I will believe in my abilities, never quit, and I will succeed and I will inspire others along the way to do the same thing.

To those of you who have said I have inspired you. Thanks. I never thought that would be the case and I'm glad that sharing my story, the good parts and the bad, have helped you in some little way. Through you sharing your stories with me you have inspired me to keep going as well.

So let's keep the inspiration going by sharing our journeys, believing in our abilities, never giving up, and we will succeed.

Remember, we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength. (Phillipians 4:13). The most important inspiration in my life is God. He sent His only son to die on the cross for my sins, my shortcomings. That is the most unselfish thing anyone could ever do for me and I hope that through my life I can be just as unselfish to others and help them along in their journey.