A Simple Way to Identify What Inspires You

In Oahu Hawaii enjoying an ice cold coconut, with my brother from another mother and father ;- )

What truly inspires you?

What is that creates a sense of deep expansion throughout your whole entire being?

That thing that really brings you alive….where time effortlessly floats by?

I ask these questions because they are areas that are often always at the top of my mind.

At the time of writing this, it’s been just over 2.5 months since relocating abroad to Costa Rica.

To say I feel absolutely blessed and fortunate to be where I’m at would be a vast understatement. However, with any change there’s a certain level of uncomfortability that takes place just before integration.

Being in a completely different country and culture is already one thing, however all of the different aspects that went into the original vision and cultivation of the intentional actions that have led me to this place today, must also be acknowledged.

My vision of first moving abroad appeared intimately in different doses throughout my travels in Europe and South America a few years back in 2016.

I had actually been to Mexico three times prior to this point, but I was in a completely different head space then, as I was more focused on the partying and drinking scene, rather than the true desire to immerse in the cultural experience.

However here I was, a couple years removed from that trip south of the border, and a few months after resigning from my then corporate sales career.

I was on the path of truly recreating a completely new version of myself, and I had finally reached a point where after ferociously fighting against the ego, I gently surrounded and allowed my heart to be the leading guide.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was scared or felt deep levels of fear at various times.

There were periods where I felt completely alone, as I recognized that no one in my inner circle or family could truly speak to or relate with where I was at.

From a young age, I always had a sensitive and warm soul, however I also matched that with a fiercely independent and free-thinking mind.

I tended to walk to the beat of my own drum.

Shortly before writing this, I came across an old e-mail that my mother responded to when I first shared with her the results of a personality test I took a few years ago.

I tested as an INFJ, the rarest of all the personality types within both genders (and by far the rarest amongst boys and men, with only 1/3rd of the entire 1% worldwide belonging to the male gender).

Just after reflecting on the results myself, I shared them with her and with one simple question that I desired her answer to:

“How would you describe me as a kid?”

One of the very first things that she mentioned in her response was that I always used to take initiative and not depend on others to get anything that I wanted done (even as a young child).

Her specific example in the e-mail was that I would make myself breakfast on the weekends when I arose prior to her waking up.

Through seeing her model how to make eggs and toast (French toast was my favorite), I took that visual and began attempting to cook them myself (without asking).

I also would ride my bike to the donut shop quite often, or go to the grocery store and buy different items around the house if needed.

This may not sound like too much, but given that I was doing this at the tender age of 9 years young, I guess provided an impression on her.

It was one that I truly never even thought too much of, until she brought it back to my awareness that day.

Seeing and reflecting a bit on that delicate memory brought a smile to my face.

You see my mother passed away in the summer of 2017, and one of the things that I admired the most about her was the exceptionally sharp memory she had.

Any question that I could muster up, that had anything to do with recalling a prior event or experience, she would effortlessly retell the story, as well as share specific details she remembered that took place during that exact period too.

She was also a very straight shooter, which I can say required a certain level of thick skin (as I vividly remember times where this pushed up against my more sensitive nature).

I’ve always been very explorative, matched with a never-ending thirst to learn.

However, the caveat has always been that I’ve only been grossly interested in learning or exploring aspects that truly provide me a sense of inspiration and excitement.

As an example, growing up, math never provided that for me. Neither did physics or any of the other hard sciences.

Why do I mention this?

To reiterate that we all deep down intuitively know what provides us a deep spark or sense of aliveness.

The aspect that when we think about it, we notice an expansive energy within and throughout our whole entire bodies.

Just like on the flip side, as when we’re doing something that isn’t aligned, or where the reward or outcome isn’t something that we truly visualize as being worth it, then it’s easy for our commitment or focus to waver.

There are many aspects that truly inspire me. Some of which are meditating, writing, and creating a safe space for others to authentically express and identify their unique strengths and gifts to the world.

However, at this present moment, what’s really been inspiring me is the learning of the Spanish language.

Upon moving to Central America, I immediately began taking one-on-one Spanish lessons every single week.

The first two-three sessions were absolutely brutal.

My mind was completely exhausted afterwards and I became frustrated because it didn’t feel as if any of the prior studies I had of the language (3 years in college plus a couple months just before traveling to South America for the first time back in 2016) was computing at a neurological level.

My teacher, Isabella, kept sharing with me to just keep on studying each day.

“Even for just 15-minutes Brandon, you got this.” She would often say at the end of each session.

As my frustration arose at times, I then reflected back on my “why” for even desiring to learn the Latin American language.

Simply put, it’s because I have a strong desire to speak the language fluently.

it’s been there since as early as when I was in the 4th grade.

Edgar, my best friend at the time, was from Mexico and would speak the language to his parents (who didn’t speak any English).

I was extremely fascinated then, and remember having a desire to “crack the code,” in terms of understanding what him and his parents and relatives were communicating to one another.

Needless to say, deep down that desire hasn’t truly wavered ever sense, and now I have the unique opportunity to pretty much out of sheer necessity, place myself in a position where now it truly is a daily commitment.

You know what though, I absolutely love it.

Why do I mention this?

Because if something truly does inspire us, I believe there’s a reason behind it.

And that reason may not even clearly be seen until we acknowledge and honor that inner feeling, and consciously choose to go towards it more and more (even as the levels of discomfort or fear, bubble up to the surface).

So back to the original question…. What truly inspires you?

I invite you to close your eyes in this moment, mindfully slow down your breathing, and ask yourself…. what would I truly love to create within my life?

What is my heart calling out for in this moment?

Create the picture and feel it… truly feel it!

And know, as well as embrace, that there will be uncomfortable times. Times that inevitably press up against subtle (and not so subtle) fears that are always a part of the process in leveling up, and progressing forward throughout our lives.

However always remember that when we slow down and intentionally bring focus to what the heart is asking us to acknowledge, we can then embrace the inevitable periods of the unknown with a certain level of grace, a depth of stillness, and maybe even with a slight smile upon our face.  :- )

With Love,

Brandon

P.S. –

One of the gifts that I personally embody is that of combining deep presence with a highly visionary spirit. It’s something that’s always been one of my unique strengths, as I can effortlessly see the power of each and every individual whom I am in deep dialogue with.

This has led me to supporting clients in the crystal-clear creation of their dreams, while at the same time offering tangible tools and accountability to continue progressing forward towards said dreams (especially during those times when a push is needed, in order to elevate to one’s next level).

 If you feel stuck or confused, and are tired of going at it alone (recognizing that you keep bumping up against the same roadblock, time after time after time), then let’s connect.

My mission in life is to be a stand for those who desire to tap into their highest potential. Those who recognize that they have a purposeful gift to share with the world. A gift that is bigger than just them, but one that creates a positive and peaceful impact in the lives of others too.

If this sounds like you, and you’re intuitively receiving a “yes” to lean in and take the next step in seeing how it is to be coached by me, I invite you to set-up a Complimentary Clarity Call.

On it, we’ll get crystal clear on the areas that are holding you back at this time (and it’s probably not what you think), and if there’s mutual synergy on both ends, I’ll share more details on how it is to work with me (as well as answer any and all questions you may have).