Dec
14
Posted by:
ACHA
12/14/2012 12:53 PM
By Jon Ritchings, Jr.
Inspiration can mean different things to different people. It can be a picture, a movie, a poem, a person—well, really, anything that makes you want to do better. The only thing that can be said about inspiration is that everybody at some point needs it.
I find inspiration in everything. It's easy for me, as I'm surrounded by amazing people and things. I have a friend who refitted a church sound system so that he could have musicians in to benefit the local food shelter. Another friend dresses up and spends weekends collecting toys for children whose parents can't afford to buy any. Of course, all my amazing CHD friends do incredible things to help out the heart community. And I live in a great area where I have access to the beauty of nature, grassroots music programs, and art galleries.
I make it a point to look for inspiration in everything, every day. I have created a poster that helps me do that first thing in the morning. It hangs on the wall by my bed where I can look at it when I first get up. Here is the link to it. Let me tell you, it is much easier to climb out of bed on a cold winter morning when you’re inspired to do something. The poster is made up of what I call my fives. It's five things to start my day, that I want to do, to do every day, to stop caring about, Dalai Lama quotes, stress relievers, inspirational quotes and favorite photos. I also had it laminated and left a blank spot labeled “goal for the day.” That way I can use a dry erase marker to change it.
I encourage everyone to spend some time figuring out what inspires you. Then make sure that you see it and think about it every day so that you can in turn inspire others to simply do better.
Jon Ritchings, Jr., is a 40-year-old father who was born with pulmonary atresia and hypoplastic right heart syndrome. Although he has made a career in retail, he prefers to be outdoors kayaking and taking photos. Jon likes to draw inspiration from quotes and one of his current favorites is from Lao Tzu: “I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”
Copyright ©2012 ACHA