Satellite and cable television offer the weird opportunity to watch television shows in an odd manner, such as three episodes of House in a row. That is what I did before writing this. After House, I found Grey’s Anatomy on Lifetime, right where I left off before I could no longer watch it on network television. How exciting!

I used to watch Grey’s Anatomy every week. I could take it or leave during the first season, but became addicted to it during the second season. I think it is very well done. Dramatic, yes, but that is why we like it. I think one thing I really appreciate is the diversity of personalities in the story. While I have personal experience in a real medical setting, and know I’ll never work in a Grey’s Anatomy setting, for which I’m actually thankful, I find a lot of inspiration in the show, and I’m even starting to find inspiration in House, which I’ve never watched until recently. House offers me inspiration for a different reason. It is much more unreal with some pretty inaccurate information, but it has its merits.

The kind of mental stimulation these television shows offer me is very inspiring to me. They encourage me to look at my own journey down the educational road to medicine with hope, confidence, and excitement.

My professional goals aren’t the only aspect of my life that relies on inspiration and encouragement for fulfillment. Cycling is something that is currently at a low point on the dedication scale. I want to do it. I know how I feel when I do it. I just can’t seem to get out and do it.

Cycling takes such a large time commitment. There is the preparation, and my preparation takes at least an hour. That is just how I am. I have to run through mental checklists, inspect things, second guess my choice of clothing, and try to predict potential problems that may turn my ride into a terrible experience. This time of year, I want to feel my toes when I return home. That is the potential problem that is currently in the forefront of my cycling mind.

After planning and preparing for the ride, then I actually spend anywhere from one to three hours on the bike. That can be a lot of time. After my ride, I spend another hour taking in post-ride calories, showering, and finding clean and comfortable clothes. Sometimes, I have to make myself presentable for social functions. On a three-hour ride day, that is five hours. I would say that is a bit time-consuming for the average gal.

There isn’t much inspiration in the early stages of winter. In the summer, I was inspired to commute and ride regularly by friends, community bike clubs, my team, and blogs, such as Ali’s blog, Dirty Picasso Ride. There is something about seeing someone bring home heavy groceries in a backpack on her bike. Of course, I don’t think Ali has to go as far as I do, but it is inspiration nonetheless. I recently wrote about another blog that is offering me wintertime inspiration, and I think that inspiration is going to break my lazy spell quite soon.

I also find it helpful to read. One of my greatest sources of inspiration during race season is The Lance Armstrong Performance Program book. Last spring, I found it useful for getting me out on the roads. Now, I may enlist its services to get me rolling on the snow. Receiving Bicycling magazine in the mail is also a motivator. When I least expect it, it shows up. I usually read interesting tidbits that make me think, “I need to try that!” and I head out to ride.

In the meantime, while motivation is at its lowest point for the year, I find it necessary to plan ahead. I sometimes have to research important things like tire pressure and clothing choices and then determine if I have what I need to make things doable. Since I’ve been putting off my trip to Houghton for three days, now, I will have my bike ready to go before my head hits the pillow. I will also lay out my clothes and get my backpack ready.

While inspiration is what fuels our dreams, it is often necessary to couple it with careful planning, as I’ve been doing – now, all I have to do is execute that plan. Inspiration is what makes us get out of bed in the morning and say, “Hey, I think I’ll do that, today!” While inspiration isn’t always what gets us to follow through, it is the initial spark that may throw into motion a series of events that lead to the achievement of our goals. In a sense, inspiration fuels our dreams.