Monday, November 7, 2011

Motivational Quotes...living by example.

I've been noticing quite a few...hundred (lol...kidding).....motivational quotes posted on facebook everyday. One after another, and another, and another.... Am I not a nice person if I get irritated by motivational quotes? It's not that I'm irritated by the quote, but by the lack of follow through.... Here's what I mean.

When I read something that moves me, motivates me, or inspires me, it's because it usually relates to something I'm intimately going through. Or may not be anything serious, but it touches a nerve and reminds me of my own capabilities or power to create my own destiny. In other words most times I find motivational quotes as reminders not to play victim.

The reason why I find myself becoming irritated by the barrage of motivational quotes on facebook is that I want to know how the person posting that particular quote was affected by it themselves! How did that quote change their day? How did that quote change their mind? How could or did they apply that quote to their lives? Just one tiny example would make me a happy girl! If you care enough to share the quote, then can you care enough to share how or what it means to you?

Call me crazy but, if you follow through and share a bit of yourself, then instead of a bunch of "like" clicks you might actually get some kind of conversations going...isn't that part of what facebook is about?

I'm not trying to hate on anybody or anything, I recognize and appreciate the intent. So as not to single anyone out by picking any one quote from a facebook post I googled "motivational quotes" and the first thing I clicked on with was this quote by Marrianne Williamson....it's kind of long but I decided to go with it anyway because it's how I feel practically everyday, and she reminded me!

Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine, as children do.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.


Since going through this crazy de-clutter I'm realizing that almost all of the habits I have that I want to change are "fear based". At face value "fear" is usually connected with the fear of "not". Not being good enough, or not having enough in some way. But Marianne reminds us that it's the fear of what we know to be inside of all us. In this culture, in these times, it's not "PC" to "toot our own horns" so to speak. But our own unique individual greatness does not take away from anyone else, instead it can motivate and inspire others to realize their individual greatness!

I've always known I was special from the time I was a little girl, and I believe that most people have had the same feeling, at least deep inside of their hearts. But my feelings of being special does not take away anyone else feeling special because I believe we are all special from the day we are born into these bodies (and way before!)

Deepak Chopra writes about all of us having one unique thing, one unique talent that is ours alone......something we do better than anyone else, and to embrace it, follow it, nurture it, celebrate it, grow it. What's inside of you? Let it shine, living by example is the most inspirational thing you can do....so give me a few examples!


10 comments:

guy said...

Since you are going through the declutter phase, which I have been through, more than once. Because I have been through it more than once, a motivational quote comes to mind specifically directed toward decluttering. "Remember, one needs little to live a happy life." -Marcus Aurelius.
Notice marcus said "Little" and not "Nothing".

Tracy Reifkind said...

Guy,

I learned that this very week! That's why I wrote my post about "what's the rush?"

Little does not mean "nothing"...thank you for that. I'm learning how to seperate the "treasures" from the clutter. And clutter takes on many forms, not just our physical possesions.

Mark Reifkind said...

great point Guy. One can get TOO minimalist, and slip into Nihilism."make things as simple as possible but no simpler" or something like that ( einstein :))

Unknown said...

"A goal without a date is a dream".

This quote might not mean much for some but it means everything to me. It really struck me the first time I heard it. I realized that I was dreaming way too much. I have goals now, and my life has definitely improved.

Maribel said...

I like reading quotes...sometimes a quote can sum up what I'm trying to say nicely because I tend to be wordy (as I'm sure you've noticed!).

I do struggle with sharing on facebook or anywhere else, unless specifically asked. You hit the nail on the head when you said that in these times/culture, it's not cool to toot your own horn. I even feel uncomfortable when people compliment me, and I'm getting a lot of compliments lately! After I train, I feel so proud of myself and I want to share, but then that fear/insecurity of coming across as a show-off takes over and I just keep it to myself. As you say, I don't take away from anyone by being and doing my best...I need to ingrain that in my head.

My example is (I replaced the focus to training...the original quote was about losing weight):

Being unfit is hard
Training is hard
Consistency is hard
Choose your hard

I always think of this when I don't want to train (read, feeling lazy).

Tracy Reifkind said...

Hanneke,

Thank you for sharing! I think a goal needs a "plan" too!

Personally I can't say that I'm a big goal setter, but I am a big plan ahead-er!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Maribel,

We are going to have to talk about the word "hard", lol (unless it's part of the word "hardcore"!)

In the mean time, it seems to be working for you....super!

Julia said...

You inspire me, Tracy! Loved this post. I just started "friending" industry / fitness people in the hopes of networking. It is like flipping through the poster section of a DB Watson catalog (break rooms, water cooler, HR office wall art). I get it - but I'd like to know the why behind the like as well. I think the whole audience thing gets really confusing on FB. I'm down with putting it all out there - or thought I was until the moment of truth - hitting "post". I've been told to "keep my counsel" regarding my new-ness to this industry and my weaknesses. I don't agree. Loved the poem. You inspired me to get going on my own blog so I could pontificate a bit more. Not sure I have a target audience - just me getting stronger by being true to myself...Thank you for the inspiration! http://hissyfit.posterous.com/my-rkc-experience-a-view-from-the-laurels-whi

Tracy Reifkind said...

Julia,

Don't write with the hope of an audience....in the words of "Field of Dreams", if you build it they will come....if that's what you want. At the very least you will hone your skills at being a writer.

I started my blog specifically because I was constantly asked the question of how I "did it", and that was the only reason. Little could I predict where I would end up. True passion, compassion and hope shine through...."selling" and "marketing" also show through...what is your motivation?

I have, on average, maybe 2-3 people in my weekly classes! Not very much! And if I had to make a living I'd be in serious trouble! I do what I do because I can't force myself NOT to! Lucky me!

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