Recently I presented a talk at ASU to a group of students in their undergrad senior year. They are attending a Political History and Leadership program.
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As much as I try to read my audience when speaking, the best confirmation of their connection to the subject and presentation is afterwards, when they ask questions. Several raised their hands. 
One of the students asked what keeps me motivated and inspired. Although I gave him an answer that at the time made sense, I kept thinking about the question days after. What does motivate and inspire us as we grow older?

And as ‘chance’ would have its way with me, days later I received my favorite monthly magazine, American Essence, in which an article, "A Constant State of Growth, The pursuit of curiosity and its key to a happy life" by Poppy Richie, confirmed what we know about motivation and inspiration.  

I collect words. I read and write them and I accumulate sentences that find their way into my mind and emotions. I think all of us do. Some of us notice the effects and recall the moments when they mattered most and others wonder, ‘where did that came from?’
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Here are a few of my favorite words, that I currently think matter. Two weeks ago in March, I visited my children in San Diego. My 3-year-old grandson Finn, is speaking in sentences. His sister Willa, is saying words, mostly sounds and she is sure she is speaking in sentences. As a grandparent, nothing sounds more beautiful to us than the words our grandchildren name us. To my grandchildren, my name is Hana. Mostly, it matters to me most when I hear their words, ‘I love you Hana.’ Words Matter. 

Most Pluma clients know her as Samantha. Her official name is Ibtisam Nisan. She was born in Iraq forty years ago. At the age of nine, along with her mother and four siblings, they escaped from Iraq and the warfare of Saddam Hussein.
Along with hundreds of others, Samantha’s family walked for several days until they reached Turkey. While the people walked, many carrying their children and whatever belongings they could hold, American planes dropped food and water to keep them alive. She remembers little about this walk, except they were frightened, cold, wet from rain and they were exhausted and their mother kept them moving forward.

​Milton Hershey… more than a Chocolatier…an Inspiration

Born in Pennsylvania in 1857, Milton Hershey had experienced hunger and poverty throughout his youth. With limited choices and a routinely absent father, he left school at 14 and began a series of apprenticeships; he found success in the candy making industry 12 years later, as owner of Lancaster Caramel Company. After selling his caramel business for $1 million in 1900, he built Hershey Chocolate Company near where he grew up in Derry Church, Pennsylvania. There he mass-produced affordable, delicious, milk chocolate candies, created employment opportunities for others and utilized the rich, creamy products from the dairy farming community. 

​I’m inspired by a new year. The changing of the seasons has the same effect as do pregnant women. And my grandchildren inspire me to appreciate what is growing and what is anchored in our lives. It’s easy to tumble into what scares us and holds us back from growing and enjoying what is still in front of us to discover. The sun comes up, the holidays roll across our calendars, our children become adults and we have multiple decisions to make on a daily basis…. this is life unfolding. And for some, everyday life is inspiring. 

Inspiration may come knocking at our door.  But we must invite it in. Every day, any day can be inspiring, the invitation is wrapped in our ability to let it in.  

My baby sister Connie was born a raving beauty. Her large dark brown eyes, full heart-shaped lips, dimples, and small up-turned nose made for a spectacular face. As she matured, she was tall and slender with narrow hips and ample breasts, she was more than attractive. As the youngest child of four siblings, she was only 18 months younger than I. I am the middle child between her and my older sister and our brother is the oldest. 
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When we were very young still holding hands with our mother while out walking, women and men alike would stop us and while staring at Connie would remark to our mother what an exceptionally beautiful child she was.  Maggie, my older sister and I, accustomed to the comments, would simply step aside and let her revel in the compliments. 

​After years of writing the monthly Pluma Snippets, I found myself this month, out of words. Which is unusual for me. Those of you who know me, would never describe me as running out of words. Inspiration usually comes from clients, friends and family, current events, books and articles. But no matter how much I saw, read, or heard, nothing would stick with me and call, "here take me…. I want to be the next article."

Until this evening when my friend Michelle Mills, after giving me a restful massage, jokingly said, “Beatings will continue until morale improves.” This statement had nothing to do with the massage or our earlier conversation, but it was funny and a great ending to a very pleasant experience. LOL!

When all is said and done, no matter what we think we want: money, health, possessions, relationships, travel, success, consideration, good looks and a great body, it all comes down to the bottom line…. we want peace of mind. We believe that when we get what we want or arrive to that precise destination, we can finally experience peace of mind.
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Years ago, at a workshop on spiritual and personal development, I participated in an exercise intended on reaching the bottom line of what truly matters in our lives. Of course, a very personal matter, each one of us has specific desires shaped by our background, environment, education, lifestyle, beliefs, and our mental and emotional capacity to foresee a future of joy and peace. 

How often have we heard the statement from someone who has been traveling, ‘It was good to come home.’

I have certainly felt the welcome of my own home even after a day’s work at the salon. And as the holidays get closer, yes! the holidays begin in a month, the thought of coming home ushers in yet another interpretation of coming home.
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A few years ago, I was introduced to Joanna and Chip Gains, The Fixer Upper Show. While traveling to San Diego to visit my new grandson Finn, I would stay at a hotel and while relaxing in the evenings in my room, I would binge on their home renovation and design program.
I was entertained and enjoyed watching their personal, as well as their working relationship as they demolished and rebuilt homes and brought joy to anticipating families. A sort of love story with a happy coming home ending…. every time.

​This July our Pandora Music at the salon insisted on playing Christmas music. It made us laugh. 
Over the 4th of July weekend, I drove to San Diego with my sister,Maggie, and her husband, Gary. I sat in the back seat of their SUV, feeling like Ms. Daisy, with a great driver. Maggie and I remembered our times traveling with our parents to California. We laughed as we told our stories and Gary made sure he found the cleanest restrooms for us to stop. The more we laughed, the more we had to stop. We recommend the restrooms at Home Depot in El Centro. 

Although Samantha at the salon is quiet in her manner, she has a great sense of humor. Actually, she is really funny with remarks about things that I completely miss. We laugh…a lot. 
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When women make a list of the kind of man they want for a life companion, sense of humor is a top 3 quality. I agree, and I’m sure that goes for men as well, right after good looking.