For inspiration, look no further

Inspire (v): to fill with animating, quickening, or exalting  influence; to bring out or spur on.

I recently attended a benefit brunch for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, hosted by Dede Frain of Babes Around Denver and Silke Reuthlinger of Hip Chicks Out. I am always thrilled to meet dynamic women and these women did not disappoint.

The day dawned with bright sunshine. When I arrived at the Hotel Monaco there was an almost palpable energy filling the room. Everyone was putting on her shiny best. They were smiling and patiently waiting to allow everyone to check in. The food was delicious.  The speakers were animated, smiling and encouraging. You could tell something special was happening.

Mimosas were offered on shiny trays from the smiling and friendly wait staff. There were raffle tickets being sold for all kinds of incredible prizes from massages to cooking lessons. Goodie bags lined the walls. Considering the energy that emanated from the participants, the goodie bags weren’t the only thing that would be remembered.

It was with this special energy that I started writing this column. I had five different women tell me that they were actually inspired by the whole experience. I have been to a lot of events. I have been to very few events where so many people expressed actual inspiration based on the other people they met there that day.

One woman took me aside to say that although she was not a writer, she needed to be sure that I used the word “inspiration” when I wrote about this event. I promised I would, but that was an easy promise to keep.

As I looked around I watched women feeling the freedom of just being themselves. This brunch had been created 10 years ago by NCLR during the NCAA Women’s Final Four weekend, to offer women the space to live fully as themselves, as lesbians in women’s college sports. It was liberating and joyful. Women from all over the country came together for brunch, to talk about their shared experiences and the changes that can happen when we believe we can create change.

It was an incredible thing to witness. People were smiling everywhere you looked.  Strangers hugged one another. It was just a great way to start the day.

Without knowing it was going to happen, we found ourselves attending an event that we would talk about later in our day, week, month, life.

To be inspired means to be imbued with the spirit to do something. I started to wonder what this room of women was going to be inspired to do. What will happen next? Who will say that this day was the day that inspired the turn in their path?

Women were getting up and approaching strangers from across the banquet room. They laughed and traded business cards. They introduced whomever they could to one another.  It was a room filled with good cheer.

I want to know how to do you harness this? How do you bottle this energy and good will? What can I do?

I too found inspiration. I was inspired to support what ever these women were inspired to create.

It is always a blessing to be around people of vision. When you believe that you can achieve something, you’ve already gotten half way to achieving it. Watching others with vision come together makes you know that good things will continue to happen and incredible ideas have been sparked.

What inspires a person is completely individual. However, we must find ways to surround ourselves with those things that inspire us. We must seek them out.  One of the greatest gifts that we can give ourselves is the gift of inspiration. Who or what is your source? How will you keep connecting to this source? How can you be a source for someone else?

It is when we come together as a community that our spark ignites. It is when we come together through our shared experience. It is then that our inspiration turns to action.

After attending such an incredible event, I want to encourage you to keep seeking sources for inspiration. You’ll find it everywhere you look.

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The gal about town’s not to be missed event …

Denver 2012 MS Walk
May 5, City Park
Registration: 7:30 a.m.
Walk: 9:30 a.m.

Marsha Hoffman has been living with Multiple Sclerosis since 2007. Since relocating to Colorado from Dallas almost a year ago, she has jumped into the Denver LGBT community with both feet. As a massage therapist and personal trainer at her company Tru Body Solutions, she recognizes the importance of a healthy body to a vibrant life. Using her talents to support causes she believes in, Marsha has donated her time during the SWISH Final Four weekend to raise money for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and has also massaged
participants of the Venus de Miles 2011 fundraiser benefiting Greenhouse Scholars. Marsha is now forming a team, Marsha’s Fighters, for the May 5 Denver MS Walk.

“I am forming a team for the Denver 2012 MS Walk because I want to experience a great event here in Denver and help the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS,” Hoffman said. “I believe in this cause. And I am living with MS.”

Contact Marsha if you are interested in becoming one of Marsha’s Fighters or you would like to support her cause: 720-218-0361.