As the statement on the header tells you, this blog is about a few things.
Inspiration
Encouragement
Journey
Awesome
As I’ve been recovering from shoulder surgery for the past week, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the first word: Inspiration.
We all like to be inspired. We like to hear about the great things people have done. The heroic and super-human always seem to be the most well liked. We also look for inspiration to start our day, continue in our jobs, complete projects, etc.
But I’m wondering if we know what inspiration is? Here’s what I found in the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary.
Definition of INSPIRATION
1
a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation
b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions
c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions
2
: the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs
3
a : the quality or state of being inspired
b : something that is inspired
4
: an inspiring agent or influence
— in·spi·ra·tion·al adjective
— in·spi·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
Which one resonates with your current definition?
On a couple of social media sites I recently asked people what inspires them. The answers ranged from mountains to art to nature, etc. My answer was “my wife”. I said this because she is a full-time RN and is taking classes towards another nursing related degree.
As I’ve been pondering the word “inspiration” I discovered I’ve been asking the wrong question. I should be asking, “What are you doing to be an inspiration?”
I’m going to latch onto the 4th definition from the options above. I want to be “an inspiring AGENT or INFLUENCE.”
So, the new question is, “What have you done (are doing) to be an inspiration?”
Look at what you can give instead of take.