I got an email the other day asking me to participate in an inspirational quote chain mail. Usually when my eyes flit across an email and I see “send this to X number of people”, I automatically hit delete and move onto the next item in my inbox.  In this case, I did just that.  Then a few minutes later, I pulled it out of the trash and read the message in it’s entirety.

The opening request was not filled with the usual dire consequences if you choose not to forward it. It basically said, look, we’re all pretty busy, but a group of us are trying something new and thought you’d be a good participant. The request was simple: send an encouraing quote or verse to the person whose name is in position 1 below. Then forward this email to 20 other people.

When I saw the “forward to 20 other people”, I deleted the email again. I hate doing stuff like that. Plus, I don’t think I have 20 people that I can afford to irritate with something like this.  I moved onto another message in my inbox.

Maybe it was my conscience kicking in or maybe I was reminded of how good I’ve been feeling about what’s going on in my life lately, but I un-deleted the message again.  I re-read it for a second time.  The following sentences leapt off the screen at me:

It should be a favorite text verse/motivational poem/prayer/meditation that has lifted you when you were experiencing challenging times.  Don’t agonize over it–it is one you reach for when you need it or the one that you always turn to.

“Don’t agonize over it”.  Agonize is one of those words that makes me think of someone wearing sack cloth and ash, with rents in the clothing.  If I’m being told not to agonize about it, does that mean I should just be really casual?   Should I pick a well known quote by a well known person? Should it be related to women and mother’s because that’s what I am? Well, by the same token, maybe it should be by a Black writer.  Should it to be funny? Should it be oblique and therefore applicable to a variety of circumstances? I don’t know who is going to receive this, so maybe I should opt for something safe like a line from Dr. Seuss? And just like that, I deleted the email again.

Not going to do it.

Still, I kept thinking about it.  The person who sent it to me is someone that I respect and whose company I enjoy. I didn’t really have a reason to not participate aside from, “Bleh, I really don’t like doing these things,” and that just seemed like such a wet blanket answer that I un-deleted the email. Again.

I jotted down a list of names, people who I thought would appreciate a little inspiration or motivation in their lives.  I’ve been working through some challenges of my own.  I’m often reminded of the quote, “Be Nice To Everyone You Meet. They’re Fighting A Battle You Have Absolutely No Idea About.”  Often, I let my emotions get the better of me. I’m stubborn and I hold grudges, yet I expect courtesy and kindness from others. Lately, I’ve been more introspective and as a result, I’ve been keeping the aforementioned quote, the golden rule and the prayer that I ended up sharing at the forefront of my mind.  Here’s what I sent:

Whether or not the person to whom I sent the Thomas Merton Prayer interpreted as inspirational or not, I don’t know, but I can hope. I chose it because it helps me connect to my own feelings and to something greater than myself. It’s hard for me to ask for me help. It’s hard for me to feel like I’m making the right choices for my family and myself. I second guess myself. A lot. I have doubts. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I’m just trying to do the best I can the best way I know how.

When I read those words, though, I can feel something in my chest loosen just a bit, enabling me to breathe a little more fully. I’m inspired to keep moving forward when I read these words. I’m motivated to push through my discomforts and uncertainties. I’m more willing to accept the good that others see in me as truth.

What quote or prayer, phrase or song inspires you to keep pushing?