Finding inspiration from the women around us
- saramulhearn
- Mar 17, 2025
- 3 min read
'INSPIRATION: The process of being mentally and/or emotionally stimulated to do or feel something especially something creative.'
Who or what last inspired you?
Was it reading a few words, meeting someone, seeing something, hearing a story or following an extraordinary journey that moves you in some way.
The thing about inspiration is it is often associated with big things, big people or huge achievements and we don't always associate what we do as inspiring others by just being us.
Last week I attended a Women Who Inspire event for International Women's Day where we listened to a selection of Inspiring Stories from women who were achieving amazing things here in Suffolk and across the globe. I am always fully immersed in listening to these speakers and their stories and generally get a lump in my throat at the impact they have.
What became clear as a result of the event was this: it was not just the speakers that inspired me. Just driving to this event and the anticipation of being around people drawn together because of this event, the conversations, laughter - sometimes tears - and the ripple effect that would be set off as a result for individuals and wider. Imagine attaching a little GoPro to everyone to see what the ripples actually were in the months following!
Whilst I was there I chatted to old and new friends around my table. Hearing their news, stories, jobs and experiences was heart-warming, uplifting and humbling with the reminder that to inspire others you don't have to be an Olympic athlete, trek across the world raising huge sums of money or encounter something that most ordinary folk don't.
The women around my table all inspired me that night. The experience was time to reflect and resolve to tweak a few bits to continue to make a difference to the ripple effect I have just being me.
My Takeaway
Everyday unintentional Inspiration is available everywhere, what happens after feeling inspired is down to you.
I used to talk about this in a Leadership program I delivered which was based around inspiring your team. It was a powerful programme and rewarding to see those in leadership roles find their version of inspiring. Who doesn't want to be inspired by their leader, right?
I usually feel quite excited and energised when inspired, it catapults me into some form of action such as signing up for this endurance paddle. I know I keep mentioning the endurance paddle, but it's become a huge learning journey for me and along the way it is inspiration that has kept me committed to the belief I can do this.
As we started with Women Who Inspire we'll finish with the women who committed with me to do this. If it wasn't for having them alongside me, arranging to meet at the lake, to paddle with I may have wavered. If it wasn't for sharing our knowledge and research on nutrition I would probably not be sourcing better food options. WhatsApp messages in the morning sharing the exercise we had completed independently definitely keep me on track and of course there's Anni, our coach from Frangipani SUP who has inspired us all in so many ways.
Thank you ladies, all of you in my life, you inspire me every day.
Would you like to be part of our journey and join our Be Inspired Accountability Group ?
If a daily nudge, a weekly topic and friendly support could help you reach your goal then let us know here and we'll send you the details on joining for the next few weeks as we lead up to our event dates.
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