Mindfulness Mondays 22: Inspire
October 26, 2009 by dr. lam
I was recently doing a high school college-night fair and helping students decide about which college would be right for them. Of course, college is not right for everyone nor is my college right for you. However, for me I really enjoyed being able to give three presentations about my alma mater and share with these aspiring students the passion that I had about my school.
Toward the end of the night, I had this shy young Indian boy and his very sweet, smiling mother come to me and ask what he needed for pre-med requirements. I said that the first most important requirement was an open mind and an open heart for his future because medicine may or may not be the right vocation for him. In short, I wanted him to follow his burgeoning passion. Maybe something that he had not found yet but I did not want him to close it off due to societal, parental, internal pressures that compelled him to think and act in a certain way.
One of my life’s goals is to inspire those around me to be better than they thought they could. I guess that is a huge reason why I write these blogs. That is my passion. However, I remain fully cognizant of Wayne Dyer’s admonition: ”Don’t underestimate your ability to change yourself and don’t overestimate your ability to change others.” This week, radiate peace and joy, give counsel when needed, offer compassion, provide shelter, and be a mentor by inspiring others to be better than who they thought they could be. By doing so, you will help yourself be better than you thought you could be too.
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4 Responses to “Mindfulness Mondays 22: Inspire”
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Awesome blog topic! I love being inspired by someone and also inspiring others. I like Dyer’s quote that you mentioned, Dr. Lam, and I also liked your point that by inspiring others to be better than they thought they could be, in return will help ourselves to be better than we thought we could be. I like how focusing on others tends to reap personal benefits.
I wonder why that is so. Cool, Dr. Lam!
cool. glad you got a lot out of it. when we help others, it makes us feel good. it is a way for our own personal growth by not being so egocentric, selfish, and self-absorbed. by being compassionate, we elevate our own feeling about the other person, humanity, and ourselves.
best,
sml
Wow, Dr. Lam, that was well said and thoughtful! You must have practiced that a bit.
every day.