Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes wrapped in bows, crumbled in fortune cookies, written on a graphic tee, stated in a speech, and on and on – inspiration is life.
Inspiration is necessary for so many things like putting the clothes in the dryer, grooming your dog, washing your hair, or walking the mile. Motivation isn’t just imperative for go-getter goals, like going to Harvard Law. It’s essential for everyday life sometimes! Let’s face it: every day is not a get-up, vacuum the house, seize the day kind-of-day.
Not every day needs to be a productive day! But when it is a day where you need to be efficient, but the day feels like a pair of unflattering, lowcut jeans – you may need a large coffee and dose of inspiration.
A fun place to find motivation is movies – where lessons are packaged with sarcasm, far-fetched storylines, and picture-perfect moments.
Here are some noteworthy life lessons that we tend to forget from flawless films.
Cheer Yourself On
Why not kick-off this blog with an icon, a legend, my role-model: Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
Elle teaches us always to put ourselves first. To pursue dreams for us, no one else, because that’s what we want to do. To give our best efforts, while still working on our mental health, physical health, and relationships.
She knew what being a lawyer would entail for her professionally, but she didn’t let that change her personally. She chose to keep the same spunk, pink attire, and peppy attitude. Just because there is a stereotype for lawyers, doesn’t mean she needs to conform. That is a career that she’d like to have, not who she wants to be.
Always be yourself, have confidence in yourself, and be your #1 fan. If you’re not doing it for you, why are you doing it?
Remember to live for you.
What, like that’s hard?
Remember to Live
Sam, from A Cinderella Story, did two things right.
First, she listened to the Goo Goo Dolls as she began narrating. Always listen to the Goo Goo Dolls.
Second, she began living her life instead of working it away. She had been picking-up countless hours at work, never stopped worrying about school, and let everyone else dictate her life. Finally, she began taking risks, attending events that she was interested in, and sticking up for herself.
It is always good to work hard, but it is necessary to stop and ask yourself what you’re doing. Are you merely working for one day, where you’ll end up working for another “one day?” Are you working so hard that you are stuck in a routine and aren’t living life, taking risks, or being happy?
Work hard in all that you do, but remember that you deserve to have fun. Live your life! What if you’re working tirelessly for a day that’ll never arrive?
Love is Worth Work
50 First Dates is a movie that showcases the weight of wedding vows.
If your spouse was genuinely struggling with a lifelong issue, would you be able to stay? What if that problem was them not remembering you from one day to the next?
Every day, Henry tried to get Lucy to fall in love with him.
When Lucy gave her heart to Henry, he had to remind her of that love every morning.
When you choose to love someone, would you love them through that? Would you be there for them like Henry was there for Lucy? Or would it simply be too much?
If it would be too much, maybe that isn’t who you should exchange vows with.
Love isn’t always fair. It isn’t always easy. Sometimes it weighs on one person more than it ever should. But love should generally be worth it.
If your partner became a Lucy, would you become a Henry?
Nothing is Beneath You
A true princess is Cher from the classic, Clueless.
Cher knows that she is beautiful, fantastic at negotiating grades, and someone that everyone would like to be associated with.
However, that does not make Cher above anyone or any task. She still wants to help by handing out makeovers, going through papers for her dad’s work, and donating millions of skis.
No matter what you’ve done, what your name is, or how you look – you’re never better than helping. Everyone can afford to help out, do small favors, tackle minor tasks, and donate time.
If anyone ever disagrees, look them dead in the face and squeal
“Ugh, as if!”
There’s Always Someone Better
Bianca, who stars in The Duff, says it best: we will always be somebody’s dumb, ugly, fat friend.
Don’t worry; I’m semi-kidding!
There will always be somebody with smoother hair, better pay, a more jaw-dropping Christmas tree, a higher GPA, or more appealing dinners.
There will always be somebody else who could do your job, and maybe they could even do it better. There will always be someone who catches on quicker than you – even if that’s what you’re best at. There is always someone who will be kinder, or taller, or “better” at something than you.
That makes them extraordinary in their own way, but you’re still stellar in your way. Just because they are better at changing car oil than you does not make them better than you.
You are you! How amazing is that! Many people look up to you for different things – even if someone else may be better at a few things.
It is okay for there to be people better than you at things. Do you really care if Barb’s fifth husband is quicker at changing oil than you?
If you’re happy with where you are, that’s all that counts! Even if you aren’t the best at something, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the best. You still deserve less frizzy hair, a promotion, and beautiful Christmas ornaments.
Stop comparing yourself and start embracing the life that you have! A few years ago, you probably would’ve killed to be where you are now. Stop chasing your
so, like, now what
and take a second to enjoy the life you have. Enjoy the inspiration surrounding you, enjoy the life that God created for us, enjoy the love you’re blessed to experience, enjoy the mundane tasks, enjoy what you’re good at, and enjoy a good ole cheesy movie.
So, Like, Now What? 