what two guys from new jersey can teach you about ‘inspired action only’

I haven’t blogged in a bit for the same reason I haven’t written poetry. Or exchanged emails. Or trimmed up my dry, dusty yard.

I just wasn’t inspired. Nothing inside me said, “Do it.” So I didn’t.

Nothing said, “Look for a publisher and send out your novella already.”

No feelings rose up out of my belly suggesting that I get my hair cut or have the oil changed in my vehicle or reply to the three-page, handwritten letter a friend had sent me 10 days ago or so. (Sorry, RK.)

I was, however, greatly inspired to shelve donated books at a public library I’m creating in my tiny rural town; to help a generous volunteer build a deck and handicapped-accessible ramp in triple-digit, blistering heat; to hang out and read and color with kids at our historic, blossoming community building; and to help facilitate a visit by these two guys from New Jersey, who are walking across America to raise funds for The Gail’s Angels Foundation.

Since I know what it’s like to respond to a call to undertake something inconvenient, impractical, and a bit outlandish, I was instantly inspired to support Anthony and Rob by coordinating lodging, meals, photos and interview, and personalized laundry service. Their actions are clearly inspired. One doesn’t casually decide to put one foot in front of the other for 3,000 miles if there’s not some deep wellspring at your core.

I can’t take credit for the three-word mantra Inspired Action Only. I got it from a friend, who got it from somewhere. Doesn’t matter: it’s too good for anyone to own.

Inspired action comes from inside and spreads through you like a warm, sweet, homebaked, apple pie. Inspired action feels good, excites you, makes you happy. It bubbles up from some authentic place within you, without the slightest tinge of guilt or obligation and absent any sense of “Oh, #&$^! I don’t want to do this, but I’ll force myself anyway.”

Inspired action doesn’t need to be earth-shattering, epiphanic, or miraculous. It can be a quiet “Yes.” It can be a gentle nudge that travels from your heart to your hand. It can be as simple as making a phone call, or as complex as tossing everything you believe, know, believe you know, or know that you believe, out the window and starting all over.

If you’re not feeling inspired, chances are you’re bogged down and clogged up with old patterns and false beliefs. Or, you’re holding tightly onto your same old-same old attitudes of resentment, resistance, hopelessness, and some sick need to click into a rote, mechanized version of life. Matrix, anyone?

Or, something may be physically askew. Either way, you’re out of alignment with the truth of your own being — and now just might be a wonderful time to straighten out as much of that as you can.

Don’t get me wrong. Inspired Action Only is neither an invitation nor a prescription to avoid taking care of business. Bills still get paid. People still get fed. Laundry still gets done. Why? For the simple reason that you want to. That it’s an appropriate action. That you’re in right relationship with the outward expression of your inward intention.

Try it out. “Inspired Action Only” is working great for me, and for the friend who shared this wise insight with me.

And whether they know it or not, it’s working for two guys walking from San Diego, California, to Nutley, New Jersey, pushing jogging strollers along a route that took them through a remote outpost in the American Southwest…

…and inspired us all with their commitment to a cause and their willingness to follow through with their true hearts’ desires.

That, my friends, is inspired action. Anything less just isn’t worth doing at all.