Inspiration. We know it when we feel it. Perhaps we hear a song, whose lyrics touch us in remembrance of someone; or a child, burrowed deep in her stroller, smiles at us with her eyes, as all babies do; or an actor on the stage, who in playing his part, influences us to make a change in what we’re doing with our lives. Or maybe it’s the street beggar with the cardboard sign whose face is really God, in all His distressing disguises.



I only write about this now, because I feel inspired…now. And I don’t want to let it pass me by. I’ve done that too many times…felt something and then did nothing about it. I want to heed the call. To write something – something that will impact you to think about stuff, to do something, to share your own thoughts and inspirations, I don’t know.


I do believe that when we are inspired (Latin: To Breathe In), we are in tune with what others need, including ourselves. The words flow from our mouths and we say the right thing at just the right time. The mind is at ease and is fully accepting of ourselves, just as we are. The senses are sharp and finely focused. And the anxiety of believing that we will fall short in any of these aforementioned endeavors is not even within the subset of our thinking. We are “in spirit.”


One of the least strenuous, inexpensive and most powerful ways to inspire others (and ourselves) is through a smile. It conveys that we have taken notice and have acknowledged their presence. Think about it. When we smile at someone, we connect with them, if only momentarily. It’s powerful. Sure, it passes, the smile and the feeling. But contact was made and the goodness in it, etched. The moment, seized. And our expression, though brief and fleeting, is logged with all those other little cozy, warm nuggets of niceties they get (hopefully) that day; and they with yours. It can change things, let us not doubt that.


We all want our lives to be meaningful, I think. We want to reinforce, for maybe no one but ourselves, that we are here for a reason and are, in fact, adding to the collective good. Moments are continuous; a steady stream of lights, sounds and movements. We are destined to live them, one at a time. Each one brings possibilities to serve and to connect. I remember reading, somewhere, that only the poets and the saints enjoy each and every moment. Though an interesting point of view, who knows if it contains any truth.
But whether we’re a saint or a sinner, our decision to help someone feel special and important is always a choice. And in so doing, we say to ourselves, others and God that we have a purpose and that our lives are available for usage. And that inspires. That connects us. And the changes, big and small, that we want to make in our lives, depends upon all of us breathing in whatever goodness others choose to offer us...knowing all along that we are never alone.

Jerry Nehr


http://www.creativediscoveries.net