Inspiration is a social disease. It’s amazing how when one person shares inspiration and motivation, others catch it, like a good virus.

It’s not really the kind of virus you want to cure, either. In fact, most people would appreciate a sneeze in their general direction if what you are spreading is inspiration and motivation.

Here’s why it works.

As we know, people are social creatures, even those who seem to prefer the hermitage. Humans have a fundamental longing to be with others. It’s part of the survival drive. Statistically, we tend to live longer when we live harmoniously with fellow humans. And what happens when we live with others? We tend to influence one another’s behavior and thinking. Now, that can be a bad thing, in the case of groupthink, where you lose your identity and ability to independently analyze. But it can be a good thing if you’re spreading something positive, like creative inspiration and motivation.  

Have you ever been in an audience and listened to a story so compelling that the audience gave a standing ovation? Did it give you chills? Did you cry? That was inspiration speaking.

Have you ever played in a band and intensified your performance because of what you saw and heard your band members doing? That was inspiration acting out.

How about teaching? Ever get that teaching high when speaking passionately about what you love and the class nods in understanding? That was inspiration listening.

What you want to do is get into situations where you catch that inspiration. To do that, you need to watch who you hang out with. Debbie Downer doesn’t do it when it comes to giving you what you’re seeking.

But let’s talk about Debbie, shall we? Maybe what Debbie needs is for someone else to be inspired, someone else to spread that germ and lift her up. Once you have what you need, you might be in a position to do that. But first, make sure you’ve stocked up on your own inspiration. You don’t want Debbie to bring you down.

Here are some ways you can find people to help inspire and motivate you:

1. Join a book club or start one that only reads inspirational books. Read the books. Discuss them. Let the discussion infuse you with inspiration and motivation to continue. Build off each other’s inspirational high.
2. Attend a conference where you know motivational speakers will be addressing the crowd. Listen – really listen – to the experiences the speaker shares and see how you might apply their approach to your life. And if they’re good, nod and give them that standing ovation.
3. Take in short, inspirational and motivational videos online, but do it with a friend or two. Avoid trite videos that don’t build on your current understanding of inspiration and motivation. Observe the audience. TED talks, for example, tend to be meatier and provide inspiration from some surprising people, ranging from artists to scientists.
4. Make lists of groups that inspire you. Or make a storyboard with photos of victorious people and quotes that have the same effect. Pin these to visible places. Look at them and read them every day. Share them with others. When you get bored with them, replace them with something new.
5. Sit in the park or another public place and people watch. Observe the people who seem like they are most enjoying themselves together. What are they doing? How are they interacting? Make a story in your mind about what motivated them to be there. What do you think inspires them? Can you relate?

Now, what do you do with all this inspiration and motivation? You could:

•         Start a new project.
•         Finish an old project.
•         Set new goals.
•         Meet current goals.
•         Share your inspiration and motivation with Debbie Downer.
•         Let yourself fall in love with life.

People are complex. They can be catalysts for the negative or the positive. Surround yourself with inspiration and motivation and see how your own will bloom.

Watching wings

point to the sky,

I wonder how I ever

remained grounded

with swallows nearby.

If I touch their feathers,

will I, too, fly?

Until next time, 

Katherine

This article is part of a series from my forthcoming book, Get Happy, Dammit. Copyright 2019, All Rights Reserved. Learn more at KatherineGotthardt.com.

It may not be a topic you want to discuss, but it should be.

Colorectal health is something which both men and women should be aware of, oftentimes women think of colon and rectal cancers as men’s diseases, something doctors say is absolutely not true.

“Colon cancer affects both men and women,” explains Caroline Sanchez, MD, FACS, FASCRS, a colon and rectal board-certified surgeon with Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. “The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is 1 in 24 (4.15%) in women compared to 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Dr. Sanchez says colon issues in both men and women are very similar.
“I take care of colon and rectal diseases. These conditions can range in severity. These diseases can be mildly irritating to life-threatening. They can be benign or cancerous,” explains Dr. Sanchez.

“Early colon cancer rarely causes any obvious symptoms. Warning signs include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, unexpected weight loss, or anemia.”
Dr. Sanchez says many women will dismiss their symptoms and attribute them to their menstrual cycle, that’s why she says it’s so important to discuss colorectal diseases.

“Issues of the colon and rectum are often difficult to discuss, but you should not be afraid to talk about new symptoms you may be able experiencing.  Often times there is a simple explanation which can easily be treated and you don’t have to suffer in silence. If there is something more serious, it is best to find out earlier.”

To find a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, call 1-800-Sentara or visit sentara.com/digestive.

Republican Crystal Vanuch is drawing on her record of experience and touting results in her run for Stafford’s Rock Hill District Supervisor seat.

The past four years, she has served as the Rock Hill Planning Commissioner, being unanimously nominated Chair the past two years with a seat on some of Stafford’s most impactful committees.

“When it comes to managing residential growth, easing traffic congestion on our roads, and advocating on behalf of our community, I have a proven record of results,” said Vanuch.

Vanuch has led the charge on getting the community involved, educated, and improving transparency on the impacts of large-scale subdivisions. She is committed to ensuring development “pays for itself” by offering proffers to mitigate impacts on schools, roads, and other county infrastructure. In her four-year term, she has notably voted no to more than 2500 new homes that didn’t offset their impacts to the community.

She chaired the Cluster Ordinance Committee – fighting hard to block the expansion of cluster homes in Rock Hill. Clusters are smaller lot sizes with homes close together. In 2015, Crystal was also a committee member updating the county’s comprehensive plan ensuring that the rural areas of the county stay rural.

Protecting the environment and rural aspects of Stafford County are also central to Vanuch’s service over the past four years. She has been a fierce advocate of ensuring the county takes active measures to protect the county drinking water supply and personal wells.

Many Rock Hill residents are on public wells and are very susceptible to contamination. She is most widely known for proactive measures to require private wells have the same setback requirements as the state law requires for public wells from contamination sources such as cemeteries and commercial feed lots. She also has a strong voting record on advocating for residents in the County for uses that could have led to dangerous contamination flowing into the Counties drinking water supply at Smith Lake and ensuring the County follows the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act requirements.

In the last four years, Crystal has dedicated much of her personal time to ensure that Rock Hill stays a great place to live. She has been met with opposition from special interest groups to try to make her back down on her strong stances of protecting Rock Hill and has been rather impressive in her ability to stand strong making sure that Rock Hill has strong leadership and protection.

Please vote November 5.

WOODBRIDGE – One in five adults in the United States experience a mental health crisis, while 1 in 5 children ages 13 to 18 have, or will have a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Because of these astonishing statistics, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hosting a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Fair. On Friday, September 20, from 5:45 – 7:45 p.m., mental health experts from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Prince William County Community Services, National Alliance on Mental Illness and many more, will gather to take part in this important conversation.

Non-profits will discuss area resources, warning signs, behaviors, treatments and/or options when it comes to mental illness and suicide prevention. As our featured guest, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will deploy its 40-foot long crisis van.

Not only will the VA offer tours, but it will also have counselors on-site to assist veterans, service members and their families. There will also be informational resources, a Question & Answer Panel, raffles, plus much more in a safe space to discuss the challenges, obstacles, and services available for those dealing with mental health issues.

The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Fair is free and open to the public on Friday, September 20, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m. at the Hylton Education Center on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191. Free and ample parking is available. Bring a friend or loved one. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about this important topic. More event details at pwcmentalhealth.eventbrite.com.

Business at Chick-fil-A in Bristow was booming as customers lined up outside the door with flyers in hand that read in bold letters at the top, “August 28, 2019; SPIRIT NIGHT.”

This was a special night, not only for Chick-fil-A Bristow, but for Team Prince William and Law Enforcement United (LEU), as Chick-fil-A hosted Team Prince William in fundraising for the Chris Yung Memorial 5K Turkey Trot, as well as raising awareness for the prestigious 2020 Road to Hope and the upcoming Charity Golf Tournament.

Team Prince William is a 501(c)3 charity group incorporated within LEU, and their mission is to honor and support the family and survivors of fallen officers. Their main goal with the Chris Yung Memorial Fund is to benefit Officer Yung’s children. Officer Chris Yung died in a horrific motorcycle crash in the line of duty on December 31, 2012, at the intersection of Nokesville Road and Piper Lane, just outside Chick-fil-A is Bristow.

Team Prince William Co-Treasurer Tracy Zingg led and coordinated with Karen Allam, Marketing Director at Chick-fil-A Bristow, to make sure everything was running smoothly.

“This is just one of the ways that Chick-fil-A can help us raise money,” said Zingg, as she was relieved that the popular turnout was more than she expected. “It kind of gives you that sense of pride and excitement that something is doing what it’s supposed to do, and I love that feeling. I love it when a plan comes together.”

Team Prince William announced their event through social media and by handing out flyers inside local elementary schools, notably the Chris Yung Elementary School in Bristow.

“The partnership that Chick-fil-A and LEU have to keep the memory of an officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice on duty is very important,” said Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, who attended the fundraiser. “It’s certainly important to our youth to keep that memory alive because there’s a school named after him. So, of course, I want to be here to support a great and important cause.”

The funds will help set up the 5K Turkey Trot held on November 28, Thanksgiving morning, and in turn, the funds raised at the 5K Turkey Trot will go directly to the Chris Yung Memorial Fund. Details and sign-ups for the 5K Turkey Trot can be found here.

“I mean the money is great and it helps, but the biggest thing [Chris’ wife] doesn’t want is for Chris to be forgotten,” said Zingg. “She doesn’t want his children to be forgotten. So, the 5K is our way of getting that out there and making sure that people don’t forget.”

The 2020 Road to Hope will be held in May and is a 250-mile bike ride from Chesapeake, Va. to Washington D.C. over a span of three days, honoring the lives of Law Enforcement Officers killed each year and raise money for the survivors. The funds will go toward Concerns of Police Survivors (COP’s) and Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP).

Summer of 2019 has come with near record-breaking temperatures.

While the thought of having fun for hours outside may sound great to children, it’s important to understand the dangers and effects that heat can have on the body.

Heat exhaustion happens when the body is exposed to harsh heat for a long time. According to the Center for Disease Control, you may be suffering from heat exhaustion if you experience prolonged sweating, pale skin, dehydration, nausea, or a fast heartbeat.

Without care, it can lead to heatstroke and cause permanent damage to the body. Sometimes in the middle of summer, the heat index can reach dangerous temperatures of up to 110 degrees. You’ll often see meteorologists and phone alerts telling you when the weather is potentially dangerous to your health. 

DC Webb, Park Manager for The City of Manassas Park, Department of Parks and Recreation, said, “Making sure my staff is safe in the workplace is my biggest priority. Even when there is a lot of work to be done, I always encourage them to take 10-15 minute breaks when they feel it’s necessary.” He mentioned that he asks his employees to always have their phone available to check for the heat index and rising temperatures, as well as always having water available in coolers or in their work vehicles. “The work is always going to be there the next day, so there is no reason to overwork,” Webb added.

Staying indoors is not always an option for many, especially those who work outdoors like park maintenance and construction workers. Even if you think you’re able to handle the heat, it’s best to be prepared. If you work outdoors, you should always have a kit ready with cold packs, a thermometer, and an electrolyte drink or tablets. 

“We recently acquired General Ridge’s Golf Course, now named Blooms Park, and there is a lot of work to be done. We’ve changed our work hours so that the crew can finish by early afternoon and avoid the harsh heat,” Webb said.

If you and your family are outdoors enjoying summer, be sure to know your local cooling centers to avoid being in the heat for a long time. If you are in the area, remember the Manassas Park Community Center is a cooling center during operating hours! 

The Manassas Park Community Center is located at 99 Adams Street in Manassas Park, VA. Managed by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation, the facility is home to basketball courts, a swimming pool, wellness areas, special events, and recreational classes. For more information visit us at www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com or call at 703-335-8872.

Featured photo: Manassas Park campers make tie-dye t-shirts during H2O and Go camp

Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is a poetry and prose writer who has lived in Prince William County since 1999. She has published six books and is working on a seventh. Learn more about her at KatherineGotthardt.com, and follow her work on Facebook by searching #KatherinesCoffeehouse.

Ever watch one of those post-apocalyptic movies where hoards gather and for whatever reason – be it hunger, fear or contagious bad attitudes – a fight breaks out and suddenly, it’s mass chaos?

Or how about a bar fight? Everyone jumps in and starts breaking chairs and bottles.

Or maybe it’s just a concert or sporting event, and the crowd goes wild over the performance. Nothing bad, they just do it together.

All of these are examples of groupthink, which is based on collective behavior. Whether good, bad or indifferent, groupthink is the nemesis of true inspiration and motivation.

Here’s why.

At its very heart, choosing to be inspired and motivated is a personal, thoughtful decision. So it makes sense that when you allow a group to think for you and you just follow the crowd, you become less inspired and motivated, even if the crowd is doing something positive.

How can that be?

1. Groupthink operates on collective behavior, which encourages sameness. However, we’re all individuals, and if we let the group think for us, we give up our unique capacity to create the meaning behind inspiration and motivation.

2. Groupthink is typically transient. Get out of the group, and you’re left alone with yourself and your thoughts. Now what? Do you know what to do with your mind? You might use memories to go back to the moment where you were part of the crowd, but that is inherently a solitary journey.

3. Groupthink tends to be shallow. Your quest to maintain inspiration and motivation is not. Thus, groupthink is at odds with your goals.

I know. No fun, right?

Actually, that’s not true. You can use groupthink to your advantage, and as you do so, distinguish yourself from the group. It might not happen at the scene where collective behavior is taking part, but that doesn’t matter. When it comes to working on creating your own inspiration and motivation, you can use the group, but you don’t have to depend on it.

Here’s how:

1. Breakaway mentally and/or physically from the group. Observe. Note the dynamics of the collective behavior and kind of thinking that is going on in the group. Feel free to jump back into the fray – unless you are in a barfight or a post-apocalyptic brawl. Then you might want to leave.

2. Go back to the haven of your independent mind. Asses how the scene of the collective behavior made you feel (i.e., the bar, the sports arena, etc.).

3. Now assess how the idea behind the collective behavior made you feel. For example, why were you in the bar to begin with? What started the fight? Or what was the music about? Was there a history behind the sound and lyrics?

4. Jot down notes and consider how each of these can be used to inspire or motivate you.

It might look something like this:

Went to the concert. People singing and dancing in unison. Loud drums. Fireworks. Smoke machine. I felt exhilarated being part of the crowd enjoying the music. It was freeing to be part of a group that was there for the sole purpose of celebrating the music. It felt peaceful and made me happy.

I am inspired by the music.

I have always wanted to sing.

I’m inspired to practice and motivated to take lessons.

Notice the above thought processes. The ideas have to form in your mind independently, and they can’t do that in an environment where everyone is thinking the same thing – or not thinking at all and just acting on instinct. I encourage you to think for yourself.

In the 80’s,
there,
in row 103,
me,
lighter raised,
like everyone else
in praise of music.
But mine –
I make it dance for me.

Until next time,
Katherine