Sometimes I find it helpful to provide myself many sources of inspiration, to keep me reminded of the aspiration of my higher self. I leave myself little affirmations on the dresser or on the kitchen table. I leave a tab open on my browser to a page with an article about mindfulness. I cut out beautiful photos from a travel magazine and let them sit around for a few days, reminding me of how alive I feel when I travel. That’s a good reminder when some days I’ve forgotten what it is to feel alive.

I send little texts to my sister or to a friend who is always cheerful. Then I know I will hear back something loving or funny from a person I care about.

I exaggerate the enthusiasm of my greeting when I’ve been out and return to my two dogs. This makes them respond in kind, and the joyful slaps of their tails and the way they push each other out of the way to they can be the first to greet me–this makes me smile.

It’s very easy for me to slip into melancholy or apathy, if not full despair. I hope it won’t always be that easy, but for now, while it is, it’s a good idea to prop myself up in a dozen little ways every day.

E sometimes sends me inspirational quotes. Today I’m reflecting on the one she sent, a quote by Thomas Merton.

Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself and, if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself. For it is the unaccepted self that stands in my way and will continue to do so as long as it is not accepted. When it has been accepted, it is my own stepping stone to what is above me.

May you accept yourselves; may you inspire yourselves.