Inspiration is a funny thing. A random thought, a conversation, something you see, hear or do, can spark this little flame of goodness and suddenly your black thundering sky of a mood is gone and replaced with unbearable optimism. Your body tingles, your minds a tremor and the world is your oyster, you could do anything in that moment of time. You can be whoever you want to be, you can succeed in whichever challenges you choose to face and life is clouded with a wonderful rosy glow. However…..the hard part is holding on to this flash in the pan feeling and using it to its best opportunity. 

So far my little piece of New York inspiration has succeeded with its staying power and I continue to ride that high wave. Its hard to imagine myself but a few weeks ago, a hermit, not in the making but finished and current, not leaving my home, shutting myself away from social contact and generally being, though not at all moody and grumpy, withdrawn from the world. What a difference a month makes! Just this weekend I went out on the town both Friday and Saturday nights….now while this may be incredibly uninspiring to you, to me it is a huge step forward for I have not been out two nights in a row for many months, perhaps years. Just going out for a single night into London proper was enough for me and caused my friends to look at me in astonishment as I arrived at the venue, as if I was some weird apparition or non lucid image. But here, in the flesh, I managed it…and if I have to be honest, I quite enjoyed it! I didn’t get trashed, I didn’t feel horrendous the next day, rather, I had a couple of sociably great evenings followed by a feeling of invigoration the following day. It is quite a strange feeling. 

But the wave rolls on…..I have already made steps to get back into the volleyball scene. Watching Wimbledon always inspires me, I watch mere teenagers at the peak of their game going round by round through this wonderful sport. They are athletes, true stars and to be able to do it with such grace and at such a young age…that is inspiration! Roger Federer, being two sets down and then fighting back with a hell of a push, that is determination and strength of character….yet more inspiration! A local centre near me runs volleyball sessions on a Wednesday night which I will attempt to reach this week and looking forward to this coming weekend I have vague thoughts that I may even attend “Lovebox.” That’s an even bigger step for me….attending a pub or bar, that’s one thing, actually going out ALL DAY for a festival….now that’s quite another! I may need this wave to roll a little higher!