As most of you already know, tomorrow is the first day of
fall which marks the beginning of one of my favorite things: swim season.
Though the swim season is always long and busy, swimming is something I love so
much that even a week without being in the pool feels like an eternity! The start of this season has been particularly
exciting because one of the coaches on the YMCA swim team suggested starting a
program where an older swimmer mentors a younger swimmer.
The idea of mentoring a younger swimmer has got me thinking
about the importance of inspiring others. Because of this, I’ve been thinking
about all the people who have inspired me in many different aspects of my life,
and how I can learn from them to inspire others.
One inspiration of mine, who came to my mind while I was
thinking about this blog, is a girl who would probably never consider herself
an inspiration. This girl is a section leader in the marching band, and she has
taught me so much more than how to be a decent musician. She has taught me the
importance of knowing where everything is and where everything needs to be. She
has taught me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She’s
taught me that the best attitude is the calm and collected, especially when
faced with a difficult challenge. She’s encouraged me, and told me things will
be okay, even when things are looking really bad. From her I’ve learned that
things are what you make them, and that having fun and doing things correctly
can be done simultaneously.
After thinking about all the things that people who have
inspired me have taught me, I’ve realized that inspiring someone is a lot more
than just influencing them with few quick words of wisdom. Inspiring someone is
when you give them the tools and the encouragement to be the best they can be.
Whether it’s mentoring these younger swimmers or helping someone in another
way, I want to inspire them. I want to be a role model that helps people be the
best they can be.
As a challenge, I want you to think about the different
people who have inspired you and made a lasting impression on your life. How can
you use what you’ve learned from others to inspire those around you?
I really like this. It makes you think about how little things that you do in your everyday life can have an impact on other people's lives, even when you think nobody is watching you. Being an inspiration to others is one of the greatest gifts we can ever give someone and is, most likely, the most rewarding one. And because I think I know who you are talking about in this blog, it is really cool to think that even though they might not consider themselves an inspiration to other, they really are. And I think that is something that should be brought to people's attention. Being an inspiration is a huge deal. Thanks for posting this blog because I really liked it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mandi! I'm glad you liked it so much!
ReplyDeleteThis blog made me stop and think about if I had recently inspired anyone. After pondering this for a few moments, I reread it. I really enjoyed how you connected your mentorship (I think that's a word?) with swimming to being an inspiration to others, and how you had been inspired by someone else. It's a wonderful thing to be looked at with admiration, and even more wonderful when you can share your wisdom with another person in order to help them. I think your mentoring will go a long way with the younger swimmers, as I remember from swim team that you are dedicated and hardworking, two attributes any young swimmer would be lucky to have. I hope your season is successful and your mentorship goes well.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you are focused on bettering others in order to be an inspiration, and what goes around comes around. Good vibes will be returned with good vibes. All in all, I really enjoyed your blog and the new perspective of how to be an inspiration. Great job Donna!