It was still dark when my alarm went off. In those first moments of waking, all I could hear was the patter of rain on the window. That just made my bed all the more warm and cozy. I listened again and the rain gently continued; surely I could stay a little longer.
Then out of my gloom came the first tentative notes of a blackbird's song. Then some more notes, slightly stronger. The blackbird seemed to be testing for response. It was like we might call inquiringly into an empty house - 'hello' (pause) 'hello?' (longer pause) 'Is there anybody there?'
There was an answer - another bird called quietly. The blackbird sang back and soon another voice joined in. Now the blackbird, getting more confident and launched into the beautiful melody that defines the spring. In just a few minutes, many other birds were roused to take part so that a full chorus announced the dawn.
Birdsong like this I find truly inspiring. Yet if the blackbird had not taken the lead, starting out as a solo voice, the chorus may never have happened. In a way it's the same with us humans.
It's part and parcel of being human - we've all had a taste of inspiration. It may have been a long time ago but at some stage we have known the feeling of being fully alive. Then we've been charged with energy and spoken with passion.
It's a great feeling - we get loads of energy. We gain 'fresh eyes' so we can 'see' what is truly important, what really matters. That gives us laser-like focus.
The future overflows with enticing options. We discover the freedom to make real choices. We realize that we have the power to overcome the barriers and limitations that have been holding us back.
Inspiration is the essential spark in a chain reaction <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/your-amazing-talent-of-inspiration-519358.html>. It sparks off strong self-motivation and leads on to action towards valued goals. From the office to the Olympics - inspiration means we achieve more. Achievement itself can fuel further inspiration which leads to continued motivation and action so that a virtuous circle is created.
Without inspiration, there is no catalyst <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/your-amazing-talent-of-inspiration-519358.html> so motivation is shaky, energy <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/your-amazing-talent-of-inspiration-519358.html> is low and action is hard. When we're not inspired, things can be a struggle.
When others take the lead, conversations can focus on negativity, complaining and narrow horizons. What if you were to share what you find inspiring? You could create some inspiring conversations with two immediate benefits:
1. You will become inspired by telling others about what inspires you
2. You will inevitably inspire some of the people you tell
In the longer term, you will also be encouraging others to tell their inspiring stories: there is a potential generative effect.
Sharing what inspires you may sound fine among close friends but what about the wider picture? You may feel that it would be awkward to share this in certain contexts - at work for instance. Yet these places are often where some inspiring input is needed most.
No one wants to be labeled 'wacky' so when we share our inspiring stories, we can do it with social skill and sensitivity.
Here are some suggestions where you could start:
1. Art (in its widest sense) is a great place to start. Whether it is music, film <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/inspire-others-by-sharing-what-inspires-you-873507.html>, painting, writing or whatever, our culture already gives us 'permission' to find it inspiring. What art experience do you find inspiring?
2. The natural world is another area where people feel comfortable about expressing inspiration. This is helped by the increasing awareness and concern for our natural environment. Like my account of the dawn chorus, what do you find inspiring in the natural world?
3. Biographies - life stories - are another category where we can share inspiration. Who inspires you? What is the reason? Who would be in your top 10?
4. You may have a good cause or favorite charity that generates inspiring stories <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/inspire-others-by-sharing-what-inspires-you-873507.html>. This covers a whole range of possibilities and, when you look at the generosity of donations, you can see that many people are inspired by them. What cause do you find inspiring?
So whether it is over lunch, in the office or on the road, there will be opportunities to share what you find inspiring. Take the lead and watch for the difference you will make!
So what's the secret? How do we get inspired?
It may appear that inspiration comes from 'out there' - perhaps a beautiful sunset, a piece of music or the touch of someone special. In fact this is a kind of shorthand for what is happening.
If we take it literally that the sunset inspires us, we are making the case that the sunset is the cause of the inspiration. Yet this can't be true otherwise everyone who saw it would be inspired.
What is really happening is that we inspire ourselves by using the sunset to connect with our own thoughts and/or feelings which are inspiring. The inspiration comes from within. The locus of control is ours.
Exactly how we inspire ourselves is an individual thing - different people do it in different ways. The great news is that we can learn how to inspire ourselves and then we can be inspired whenever we want.
Here are 5 steps to get the ball rolling:
1. Notice any experience which triggers your inspiration. Aim to repeat this experience more often.
2. Wake up your senses. Each day this week concentrate on one of your five senses - Monday 'seeing', Tuesday 'hearing', Wednesday 'touching' and so on. What do you notice that is new?
3. Search for the worthwhile meaning in what you do.
4. Discard worn-out uninspiring habits and install new inspiring ones.
5. Look out for what stops you being inspired. How could you avoid this by acting differently?
Each one of us can find out how to become the source of our inspiration. Instead of waiting for a random event to trigger your inspiration, you can become inspired when you choose. The skills you acquire to do this can be yours for life <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/your-amazing-talent-of-inspiration-519358.html>.
There are two great reasons for sharing what inspires you:
1. You will become inspired by telling others about it
2. You will inspire some of the people you tell
Here's a selection of what inspires a few people:
One wrote "for me it is reaching the top of that hill or mountain and looking at the wonderful views of the countryside and feeling that mixture of awe that anything so beautiful exists in the first place and that secondly I am able to enjoy it when I want and share it with good friends and my children".
Now we know what inspires us, we can choose to do it more often. Notice too that sharing - with friends, family, even colleagues - can enhance the inspiring experience for us.
Another prefixed his reply with "It was a fantastic start to the day to get posed this question", pointing to the fact that when we recall an inspiring experience we get inspired all over again!
His Top 10 of inspiring things from the previous week:
1. Seeing the weather so beautiful showing off the countryside we live in and drive <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/sharing-inspiration-real-life-stories-895201.html> through at its finest
2. Seeing the Secret Millionaire program and seeing some very ordinary people doing some extraordinary things
3. Hearing the birds singing <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/sharing-inspiration-real-life-stories-895201.html> so clearly and so loudly getting their message out to all who stop and listen
4. Seeing a young child smile in pure innocence despite all the gloom and doom around us
5. Taking just a few minutes to stop and realize what an amazing place the world is and how amazing we all are as a miracles of life
6. Listening to the geneticist we went to see yesterday talk about what is possible now with the amazing developments in science
7. Reading what an amazing man who dedicated his life to Naturopathy, osteopathy and helping people with their health had meant to friends and all those whose lives he had touched after his death
8. The nature of friends who despite the troubles they are struggling with have time to check in with you
9. A surprise call from a friend I had not spoken to for nearly a year which lifted the spirits
10. The picture of my dad watching over me when I was about 5 or 6 that sits beside my desk
Reading this list, you can pick up his sense of gratitude for all these inspiring things. Holding an attitude of thankfulness keeps us more open to new inspiring moments.
Staying open to future inspiration is at the root of another's story <http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/sharing-inspiration-real-life-stories-895201.html>. He says "the first two things I thought of that I found inspiring had something in common: on both occasions I wasn't expecting to be inspired".
He goes on to explain that some time ago he took a short break in Edinburgh. Even though he had no particular interest in the famous Military Tattoo, he went along anyway and he was completely surprised: "That Tattoo was inspiring. The television coverage can only capture pictures and sound there is a lot more in atmosphere and sharing in a community spirit with people you don't even know and will never meet again".
An occasion like this can stay with us for many years showing how resilient an inspiring memory can be. Each inspiring experience is an investment in the future which we can draw on later whenever we choose.
His second example is from the last recession. "I saw a new starter at a time when we had no vacancies. I asked him [ ] how he came to be working with us. He replied he called personally at every work place he came across and eventually we gave him a start. I found this attitude inspiring because when everyone else had given up hope of finding a job he did more".
Many of us are inspired by stories of people who triumph in adversity. These people can be role models for us - what qualities do they show that we can copy?
Another mentions one of her role models: "people like David Whyte particularly inspire me, with their strength of voice, ideas and living their truth".
She emailed just before setting off for a walk around her local lake. Knowing this inspires her, she is able to 'repeat when necessary'. She is a keen gardener so flowers are also an inspiration.
Sharing what inspires us. When you do this, watch for the difference you'll make!
