Aryn Henning Nichols

You are Worthy: Believing in Yourself! (Read the Winter 2023-24 Inspire(d) issue online here.)

I know this affirmation stuff can feel a little (waves fingers) woowoo. It’s awkward to say stuff like “I am worthy,” aloud to yourself. But I think when things start to feel a little silly, you gotta push on through. This is the first step in not caring what other people think and believing in yourself.

This past November, our daughter ran a 5K with the local Girls on the Run group (great program, FYI!), and I volunteered to help on the 5K course. Being the seasoned cheerleader I am, I grabbed some pom poms from the costume bin and contemplated the unicorn wig. Was it too much? Yes. Probably. Was I going to do it anyway? Signs still point to yes.

I put it on before we drove over, because I was afraid I’d decide I didn’t need to be that mom, again. People stared at me. As I waited for the runners to reach my cheering corner, cars slowed down to gawk. I waved (and wavered) a little.

But when those girls came to my section, they were motivated! Unicorn horn-booping commenced, and they were rallied to continue on through the next miles in their run. 

This past year, our Inspire(d) Magazine themes have centered around an affirmation that I imagined myself cheering aloud to all of you, dear readers. You are Here. You are Fun. You are Inspired. You are Worthy. 

And now, as we’re peering straight into 2024, it’s time for you to take the reins. Believe it: You can do this! (Or, shall we all say, “I can do this!”)

This is a great time of year to look back on what you learned over the past 12 months, and what you’d like to do differently for the next 12. It’s also a time when we can be a little hard on ourselves. I know I am. “What?! Another year has gone by and I haven’t gotten that done yet? How can I possibly make new goals and plans when I didn’t even complete last year’s?”

I don’t know how many weeks I wished there was an extra day to get it all done. But there is no extra day. Okay, except this year and every four years after, in leap year. Generally, though, we’ve got to make the time. To take care of ourselves. To go beyond our comfort zones and reach for goals. To remember to rest. And then we’ve got to believe in ourselves and our abilities. 

Consider this issue a workbook on tapping into that self-care and self-efficacy. Don’t know that phrase yet? You can learn more about it in Olivia Lynn Schnur’s mental health article in this issue and get tons of great ideas in Lynsey D. Moritz’s story, “Self-care for the Season.” You’ll also read about Community Builders – Alison Bunge Leathers in Lanesboro, Missy Hoch in La Crosse, and Laura & Andy Patten in Viroqua – who believed they could help make their Driftless communities better. Jennifer Sime turns her grief from losing her son, Brendan, into passion for awareness. Jessica Rediske was brave enough to change life directions entirely in 2012 and build up Red-Roxy Quilt Co. in Decorah. All of these people realized they were worthy of their dreams.

So, this season, we encourage you to take a deep breath. Take care of yourself. Get rest. Get inspired. And if you can, get outside. Find inspiration while reading intern Peter Heryla’s story on Larry Reis and his 40 years as a naturalist for Winneshiek County, or while learning about lichen in conservation writer Craig Thompson’s piece. He writes, “Even the most unobtrusive forms of life are essential for a healthy planet.” Lichen are essential, and so are you.

Here’s to making 2024 the best year yet.

Looking forward,

Aryn Henning Nichols

In this issue, you’ll find:

You are Worthy: Believing in Yourself! Jennifer Sime • Larry Reis • Community Builders: Alison Leathers • Missy Hoch • County Seat Laundry • Sum of Your Biz: Red-Roxy Quilt Co. • Mental Health: You are Worthy • Self-Care for the Season • DIY Affirmation Cards • Conservation: Lichens • Probit: Walter Langland

In 1984, as parachute pants landed in clothing outlets and floppy discs took the then nascent computer world by storm, the late, great Harvard biologist Dr. Edward Wilson popularized a term that recalibrated our relationship with the natural world: biophilia. Humans have an innate desire to connect to and interact with nature, Wilson surmised in his book “The Biophilia Hypothesis.” Everyone, he asserted, has “biophilia” embedded deep within their DNA. Simply put, we are hardwired to love nature.

Growing up in rural Alabama, young Wilson had ample opportunities to collect bugs and chase frogs. Deeply influenced by the biological richness of Alabama’s wild places, Wilson would go on to become one of the world’s great theoretical ecologists. His work examining the extinction of species ultimately led him to assume the mantel of ardent conservationist, inspired by nature and concerned for its future.

Perhaps it was biophilia that, in 1872, inspired President Ulysses S. Grant to establish Yellowstone as the world’s first National Park, setting the stage for a conservation movement that would lead to protection of America’s most iconic landscapes. By the early 1900s, America’s national park system was not only rousing legions of citizens to connect with wildlands, it also served as a model for the protection of nature globally. One hundred years hence, in 2008, the citizens of Ecuador voted overwhelmingly to create a new constitution that explicitly recognizes the inalienable right of nature “to exist, persist, and be respected.” Biophilia writ large?

Closer to home, “tiny” backyard experiences that play to our biophilia can also inspire. Who isn’t moved by the radiant symmetry of a sunflower, yellow-orange petals blazing against an azure sky? Likewise, a sprouting seed inspires the promise of possibility. It boggles the mind to realize a 200-year-old white oak originated from a quarter-sized acorn. Surely it is biophilia that sparks our desire to both connect to and steward nature. A mother robin feeding a nest full of bright eyed young above the front door can inspire pride. Many a neighbor has been heard proudly stating, “our robins just had babies.”

Nature is a potent tonic. It not only inspires, it’s also good for our health. Numerous studies have demonstrated exposure to nature, whether picnicking in a city park or backpacking in a mountain wilderness, can relieve stress, elevate mood, and boost the immune system.  Research published in Scientific Reports in 2022 demonstrated a relationship between birds seen or heard and an improvement in mental well-being. 

Worried about that job interview? A meditative stroll through the woods can center you. Seeking inspiration for your next artistic endeavor? Butterflies dancing across a sunny meadow will hit the spot. Feeling blue about the state of affairs? A dawn chorus from our feathered friends is just what the doctor ordered.  

Let your biophilia intuitively guide you to nature and unlock the awe and inspiration that resides within. After all, according to Pulitzer Prize winning poet Gary Snyder, “nature is not a place to visit, it is home.” 

Craig & Mary Thompson

Mary and Craig are avowed biophiliacs. They’ve launched a “local biota rescue” and can be found ferrying spiders, beetles, and moths out of the house and back into the surrounding woods using old sauerkraut jars.

Ordinary life may not feel inspiring all the time. In fact, many people think inspiration needs to jolt us out of nowhere, like a strike of lightning. But it’s often more of a spark. Sometimes we’re lucky, and that spark finds us. But usually, we’ve got to go looking for it.

When life feels boring or even downright excruciating, looking for sparks of inspiration can help shift our mindsets to a place where anything feels possible.

Finding Your Spark 

Think back to the last time you felt truly inspired. At first, it might seem random. But if you dig a little deeper there were likely some factors that created a spark. 

A spark is anything that sets you up to become inspired. It’s often paired with feelings of joy, gratitude, hope, or excitement. 

Sparks can be both internal and external. External sparks are simple: the sight of a sunrise, the sound of rustling leaves, or the feel of a warm embrace. An internal spark can include positive or encouraging thoughts and feelings. And inspiration usually flows in that sweet spot between calm and excitement. 

A spark is all it takes to light up your life. It can be as simple as a daily gratitude practice or noting your contentment, like when you savor a delicious meal, check in with a loved one, or enjoy a beautiful view.

Remember: Small things can lead to big inspiration.

Creating an Environment of Inspiration

Before everything, we must first be open to the idea of being inspired. What you believe is generally mirrored back to you. If you go around assuming you’ll be disappointed by the world, you will very likely be disappointed with the world. But if you consider that you might be inspired by the world, it’s very possible you will be inspired!  

One of the simplest ways to find inspiration is by engaging with the environment and community around you. For more extroverted types, that might mean joining a group based on shared interests or attending a community event. If that group or event doesn’t exist (and you’re feeling especially energetic), use your inspiration to create it! For more introverted types, inspiration might look like connecting with nature, watching the birds, or reading something inspiring (oh look, you’re doing that already).   

We will have more success at finding sparks of inspiration when we reduce distractions. When we are distracted, we miss opportunities to experience beauty or goodness. Imagine you’re out walking but instead of noticing a smile from a kind stranger or the beauty of a sunset, you’re distracted by your phone. We can get so caught up in routine and habit that we miss the people and places that could inspire us.

Once you tune into this act of seeking sparks of inspiration, make it a practice to be mindful of those opportunities. It’s never too late to look up and notice what is happening around you. The more attuned we are to our environment, the more likely we are to become inspired.

You are Inspired

Think about everything you have overcome and achieved in the past to get to this very moment, right now. It’s easy to assume some things happened by chance. Maybe you were given an opportunity that changed the course of your life or met your life partner in line for coffee. But consider for a moment that it wasn’t chance that led you to change, it was inspiration. 

In a 2003 American Psychological Association publication, psychologists Todd M. Thrash and Andrew J. Elliott proposed that inspiration requires three parts: evocation, motivation, and transcendence.

It is not enough to evoke the feeling of inspiration; we also need to be motivated to act on that inspiration, otherwise we just let the moment pass us by. This might be the only situation in which acting on impulse can be beneficial. That is because inspiration is often caused by something beautiful or good. And when that force combines with your natural talents or purpose, the possibility for greater goodness is exponential. 

Inspiration allows you to transcend beyond what you previously thought were your limits. You are very clearly in the driver’s seat. The most inspirational moments of your life did not happen due to chance. It was a combination of your unique insights, abilities, and decisions that got you where you are today. 

Now, think about that present version of yourself. What or who currently inspires you? How can you use that inspiration to transcend further at the next opportunity that comes your way? Allow that vision of your future self to inspire you.

Act Inspired 

Here is a fun idea: Act as if you’re already inspired. Behave as if inspiration is moving through you. What would you do? Where would you go? Who would you become? 

And when inspiration strikes (or should we say, sparks) – act on it! It doesn’t need to be a life-changing act. Sketch out a scene you can’t get out of your head. Write down a line of poetry that comes to you – then write down a few more lines. Sing or hum a tune bouncing around your head. Get up and dance when the beat is calling you to move. Go for a walk on a starry night. Call a friend. Whatever it is, let that feeling of inspiration move you to act. One step at a time, goodness will flow from your action.

Staying Inspired 

It’s unlikely that every day will feel inspiring. There may also be times when we simply do not like the person we see in the mirror. That is when it is most crucial that we take time to honor our progress, however small. A therapist can also help if a mental health condition is preventing you from feeling inspired, so that the next time you look in the mirror, you might see the spark of your potential. 

Olivia Lynn Schnur

Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Yoga Teacher, and Reiki Master. She writes about healing, health, and happiness in hopes of educating, inspiring, and uplifting readers. To learn more about Olivia, or to book a yoga session, visit oliviaschnur.com.