Who inspires you?

I love inspiring others, but I only love inspiring because others have inspired me. It is this beautiful pattern in life we must always follow. One of the people who has inspired me over the last year is none other than my beautiful wife.

Let me set the scene for you: Megan worked downtown Toronto for an investment firm. She was being paid very well and increasing in salary on a fairly steady basis. Everything seemed to be going incredibly well except for one thing, Megan hated what she did. She found no  joy in her work and was completely unsatisfied with what she was doing. So she did the unthinkable, she quit. Everyone around us couldn't believe it. Constantly we heard, 'how are you going to survive?' 'Why would you quit, we all don't like our jobs, it's just a part of life.' 'What are you going to do about money?' The list of questions goes on and on, but Megan was concerned about one thing her health as a person. Why would a person stay in such an unhealthy place just for money and security?

There were a few other reasons as to why she quit: stress, career change, and many more. The main reason above all was she wanted to get healthy and do what she loved and wants to do. She simply said to me, "why can't I do what I love?" What a great inspirational question!

From here she started looking for a job she would love to do. It was really difficult. For 4 months of solid searching and investigating she didn't find much. For some this would dampen their spirits, but not Megan. She just asked the question again, "what do I love?" The answer was yoga. She decided to apply for the teacher training program at Octopus Garden in September, got in, and then graduated by December. What she realized in the process was she understood what she loves to do: help people to be restored to full health and yoga is a way of doing that.

After graduating the New Year began and things were again tough, but Megan stuck to the question "what do I love to do?" She believed teaching yoga and still trying to find a place to work part-time at a place she cares about was a priority. In February an organization gave her a call and asked her to interview for a position. Needless to say she got it and it is the exact place she wanted for a part-time job. She is a receptionist for a Pyschotherapy clinic being inspired by therapists around her and helping bring people to greater health. Amazing.

At this point still wondering why things weren't beginning with her Yoga teaching she kept working hard at it. This Friday she begins a multi session class with more than 4 people wanting her to teach them yoga. Also she has secured her first private student starting in the next couple of weeks.

It is incredible to see Megan now doing what she loves to do. From the beginning she dared to leave comfort and security to find joy. She decided to follow God through it all knowing He would honour her desire for doing what she loved instead of the easy things. She took a risk, dreamed big, and that dream became a reality.

Months after wondering what she would do after quitting her job downtown she is a certified yoga teacher holding a multiple week class, secured her first private student, working at a place she cares about and loves, working on an application to an MDiv in Counselling, and is doing it all with the joy of being a mother in August. All of this because she dared to ask the question, "what do I love to do?"

I am so inspired and proud to be her partner in this journey. She is my inspiration right now and you can understand why. God has blessed me with an incredible woman and for that I am grateful.

Thanks for inspiring me Megan. Keep dreaming and never settle for comfort and security.

This brings up the question, what do you love? Are you doing that? What steps do you need to take to make it a reality?

That's it! Thoughts are of course welcomed.