What does being an inspiration mean to you? My definition is to help those who need help. It means to help those at work, help your friends and family, help those you do not know and helping yourself with positive thoughts and actions. Helping anyone and yourself allows you to become inspired and be inspirational. Merriam-Webster dictionary states, “an inspiring agent or influence.” I love being inspired, influenced and I love being an influencer and inspiring others. Below are five places I feel we all need to be inspirational.

Work: I have talked a lot about how to treat others and how to respond to the way others treat you at the workplace. I truly feel that no one should feel above anyone at the workplace. Yes, respect is of the utmost importance, but so is inspiring everyone around you. Digging in where help is needed regardless of your title shows inspiration. Inspire everyone, allowing workers to want to come to work, inspire workers to want to learn, inspire workers to want to smile while working. Inspiring co-workers with small tasks instead of overwhelming them with huge tasks. It is a lot easier to go over a mole hole than climb a mountain.

Friends: I have many friends who inspire me and I have some that make me feel unimportant. I love helping my friends feel empowered, important and loved. When I become jealous of a friend, I take a look at why I am feeling these feelings and turn what I thought was jealousy into inspiration for myself. When a friend does something they are proud of, be inspired and let them know they are an inspiration. I cannot stress the happiness one feels if they know they have inspired someone…So feel free to tell those who have inspired you, you will definitely make their day. Spread inspiration to your friends by cheering them on, not by telling them they have done the same thing you have, only better. Be the sunshine, not the thunder.

Family: Sadly, growing up I didn’t have any close family members who inspired me to be better and I certainly had no chance to inspire them. My grandfather was my biggest inspirational family member, but he passed away when I was 25 years old. If you have family…love them and inspire them, don’t only call/text when you need something. Let them know how they inspire you and be an inspiration for them. Compliments are so inspirational. Influence family to be the best they can be.

Those We Do Not Know: How much do you love it when someone you don’t know inspires you? Yesterday there was this woman standing in line to cash out and I told her she had the most amazing boots I have ever seen. I wish you all could have seen the huge smile on her face. You can see the confidence in her and I loved it. Compliments are a form of inspiration. When we are positive around others, this will inspire them to be more positive.

Yourself: Inspiration comes from within. Be proud of yourself. Look in the mirror daily and be proud of who you are and where you are going. Accept life challenges with open arms knowing you can find ways to handle anything. Trust yourself without overwhelming yourself. When we are inspired, we find new possibilities to transform any negative feeling into a positive. Face life with enthusiasm and you will not only inspire yourself, but also inspire others.