When Was The Last Time You Were Truly Inspired?

 

Recently I have been reading about individuals in history who have left some significant mark on society. Some are quite famous, and some you may have never heard about. In doing some personal reflection, I began to ponder, “What inspires me?” Who or what is my inspiration? What do I do as a result of being inspired? In careers and vocational choices are we inspired to pursue something enduring or is it simply about money, position, power, and pressures? In books and film, are we more inspired by Iron Man and Batman, or Chronicles of Narnia and Cinderella Man? In fact, isn’t it the deeper message that genuinely moves and inspires us? And where does that message take us? Where are we going and what are we doing as a result?

The Power of Authentic Inspiration

Last year Susan Boyle had over 125 million views on two particular YouTube clips where she sang “I Dreamed A Dream”, from Britain’s Got Talent. Without question the performance was terrific; but it wasn’t the actual performance as much as the message and the story that captured the world. How inspiring to see this sweet unknown lady have the opportunity to tell her story, share her gift to the world, and rise from the shadows of ordinary in a single moment. I submit that millions have not simply viewed Susan Boyle; but rather, have been inspired by her. Ms Boyle’s message and dream lights a torch which resonates with most people – “I can accomplish my dreams!” Every time I hear an audio clip from Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech, I am left with goose bumps. This is the power of authentic inspiration. This is not the same as getting excited about watching the World Series or the Superbowl, unless of course I were actually in the game.

Focused and Committed to Something Real

I am inspired when people have a vision for something, a dream bigger than them, and they pursue the promise of that dream with commitment and passion. Having the promise of mostly conviction and hope, they proceed with relentless determination and perseverance among many obstacles and challenges along this path to reach for fulfillment. Inspiration provokes vision and forward thinking. Inspiration will often take us against the constant pounding tides in life in pursuit of a new idea, an untapped direction, and a desired outcome. Don’t we all have the DNA to be pioneers, inventors, and reformers? I believe we do. We just need to be inspired, to focus and commit to something real. When was the last time you were truly inspired?

This is not just about excitement or getting charged (pumped up), but truly INSPIRED.  Let’s dig deeper.  When Louis Braille invented the Braille system of reading in 1824, how monumental was this for the visually impaired? Darkness and disconnect was enlightened by ingenuity and resourcefulness. We go to work, or go off to college, but what are we really inspired by, and what are we therefore inspired to do? Inspiration means: stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. The definition alone should make us poised for something great.

The Key Drivers behind Inspiration:

1. Being Filled, loaded, and consumed with something special
2. Being Influenced, quickened,called, and ignited to do something special
3. Being Aroused and awakened with focus from a feeling, thought, idea, or desire for something special
4. Being Motivated, stirred and driven in forward momentum toward something special

True Inspiration does things to us. It searches and discovers problems, gaps, goals, strategies, paths. It demands a response, begs learning, guidance, willingness, and obedience to inner and outer convictions. It arouses energy through determination, skill, perseverance, and power. It stimulates action to take steps along that path; to focus and go. It solves problems looking for ways to fill those gaps and solve those problems, to reach for lasting desired outcomes. Finally, it motivates others also to action by influence and example, stirring others to likewise be inspired and take action.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Healthy inspiration will drive passionate purpose, produce lasting values, and encourage contagious commitment. The response from true inspiration will usually require courage and vision. If you don’t think this is true read about Janusz Korczak, or Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Consider Florence Nightingale who devoted herself to reforms in nursing and public heath. She left her wealthy prominent lifestyle to make a difference. With no government grants, no special advisors or venture capitalists, and little moral support, she depended on inner inspiration ignited by sense of calling and left a lasting legacy on this planet. She once said that “struggle must make a noise – and everything that I have to do that concerns my real being must be done with a struggle.”

Stop the Noise

I get the message, but it is more difficult getting truly inspired today (but not impossible) because of the plethora of competing alternatives and distractions – Hollywood, electronics, media, and downright laziness.  Can’t we be inspired by a focused young woman giving her life in unassuming sacrifice and service? O yea, we rarely hear about these inspirational stories any more because the media does not consider it newsworthy enough. In the movies and virtual reality you can save a whole metropolis by blowing freeze breath on the villain. Our battle today is often set between what is real and what is pure fantasy. Consequently let’s all just slow down, stop the noise, read, look, and listen. We must become explorers and archeologists for inspiration; seeking, digging, venturing, and discovering for what achieves lasting value. We could be inspired by something right in front of us, even just around the corner. Whatever the case, you will discover as I have so many times that inspiration is vital, and contagious once caught and communicated.

Therefore, let’s get inspired!

Joe Mascia | Nobilify

joemascia3@gmail.com