Inspiration goes a long way for me. My mind travels to all sorts of new exciting locations and new ideas begin sprouting like crazy, even though my body stays put. Especially in times like these, when I start feeling antsy (which typically happens after staying in one place for more than, oh, a few months) I find inspiration EVERYWHERE. I feel like every single thing I read or watch has some subliminal message telling me to go, go, go!
Needless to say, after living in our current location for over 2 years now, I started feeling the bug long ago. But I have to pinch myself and say HEY! You were raising a baby in that time who has now blossomed into a smart, sassy toddler. Let’s not forget you were busy, doing the hardest job in the world! But as any stay-at-home-mama knows, you can get so stir crazy hanging out with a tiny human who doesn’t speak your language yet. I did try to get outside as much as possible with her, but now in the throes of wintery, icy January our options are somewhat limited. And to that I say, YAY for daycare!
But I digress. Inspiration. It truly is all around us, so I thought I’d take some time today to give a shout-out and appreciate all that has personally inspired me.
I read a lot of books, mainly adventurous, outdoorsy biographies and memoirs. I love anything that involves travel, a road trip, self-discovery, or anti-norm in our society.
This may be predictable, but the movie (and then the book) that truly inspired me to change my lifestyle was Into the Wild. It’s a moment that I’ll never forget: sitting in the theater while the credits rolled, tears rolling down my face and having a total epiphany. I thought, I can do that too. Not poison myself while living in a bus in Alaska, but travel. Up to that point, I had never been anywhere I couldn’t drive to in a day. Never even been on a plane! So in that moment, I decided I wouldn’t be going back to college, I’d be getting on a plane to Florida to work on a farm for the rest of winter. Which, after a couple of tries, I did and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
After that, I read and re-read Kerouac’s The Dharma Bums and took an Amtrak train across the country to California (a poorly thought-out idea but an adventure nonetheless.) Later the next year, my then-boyfriend and I took 5 weeks driving from Maine to California and then back again the following spring. Then, much later (with no boyfriend) I enrolled into the Adventure Recreation program at WCCC. And now three years later, I’m on the greatest adventure of all, raising a child with a wonderful man.
But the time has come to travel again! I’ve been in Maine for 5 years, meanwhile still reading inspirational books, blogs, Outside and Backpacker articles. The itch hasn’t been terrible (that sounds weird doesn’t it?) in the past couple years because we have to travel all over New England to see family, but it’s definitely there. Maybe I seek inspiration out because I’m feeling stuck or maybe it is the gods sending me signs. Whatever it is, I’m listening.
Here’s a short, incomplete, no real order list of Inspiration for you to enjoy (or maybe even get inspired yourself!):
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (movie also)
- Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
- Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck
- On the Road and The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
- The Last American Man and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Letters to A Young Poet by Rainer Maria Wilke
- A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins
- The Bodacious Book of Succulence by Sark
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed (movie also)
- Following Atticus by Tom Ryan
- The Peanuts Guide to Life by Charles Schulz
- National Geographic’s Guide to the National Parks
- Wandr’ly Magazine
- Van Go-Go family
- Michael Franti, Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, Keller Williams Kids album, 311 – all music that makes me want to drop everything and get up and shake my groove thing.
Lastly, I think what inspires me the most, more than anything I’ve read or watched, is the people I’ve come across in my life so far. I met so many incredible people while working in the Bar Harbor hostel, strangers that gave me couches to sleep on or rides across the state while in California, fellow farmers in Florida, and truly amazing co-workers and friends. I’ve stayed in touch with some of them, but not all, and to those who I may not see or talk to again, thank you.
My number one man, TW, inspires me every day for persevering and keeping a cool head on his shoulders. My sister, for being an awesome mommy to a beautiful baby. My best friend, Pookie, for believing in whats important to you and for getting a full scholarship, holla!! My dad, for being his own boss in the most beautiful place in the world and letting me tag along once in awhile. My mom, for being there for me and for the super awesome encouragement when I needed it. And lastly, but certainly not least, my little baby booshka, for simply being awesome and smiling and giggling and being curious and loving doggies. I love you all, thank you for the inspiration!
Wonder Drive 