Jan 10

Jan 10 finding your own inspiration.

Sometimes you need to shut your mind off and let your heart breath. Take a step outside of the stress in your life and let go. Everyone does this differently, but it's important you figure out how you can unwind. Some people work out, drink, take a hot shower, write, or go for a drive.

For me, it's listening to music. My headphones are always with me. Whether I'm going for a long drive, a walk down the beach with my dog, sitting in my living room or a coffee shop, when I'm listening to music I feel like my mind can let go. No better way to work things out than a long drive and a killer playlist.

Being able to connect to a beat, melody or lyric is therapeutic. It takes me somewhere else, like an out of body experience. It allows me the chance to take a step away from the physical pain and stress.

Sometimes with a chronic illness you need inspiration just to get out of bed in the morning. I discovered this author, J. Raymond on Instagram and I've never read anything that I can connect to as much as with his words. After reading a bunch of his stuff I saw that he wrote custom prose. So I purchased one. He asked me to tell him something about myself and what I wanted him to write about. I told him about my arthritis and that I wanted something to read every morning to remind me to fight. To get up and try, even if it's just enough to take a shower.

A few weeks later I got this in the mail. It is everything.

I don't know how, but from the few sentences I shared he saw into my soul. I read this every morning when I wake up, it is one of my favorite piece of art on my wall because of how incredibly personal it is to me.

Last week I ordered his two most recent books, Let her Run and Concrete Music. As I was flipping through Let her Run I saw my prose. My story was on the pages of his book. I started crying. The fact that this resonated with others that he included it in his book, I was overwhelmed. He is an artist in the truest form and I'm so thankful for his words they are a huge part of why I fight every day.

Whenever I need a minute, I turn on music and grab one of J. Raymond's books and try to recenter myself, because I'm always going to be someone who feels too much...