As we drink our coffee each morning, plan how to attack the day and contemplate which issues to confront first, I think you will agree a heavy dose of inspiration could indeed “make our day.”
Inspiration reduces stress, concerns and fears. It frees us to follow our true purpose in life. Inspiration is fuel for body, mind and soul and brings out the best in us. We are renewed to embrace our potential and to get closer to self-actualization. A peak experience.
Inspiration allows us to dream in clarity and savor our personal journey. Inspiration lights the fire of sustained motivation. It is the foundation of creativity, and allows us to achieve more. Inspiration and gratitude are members of the same family.
We all appreciate the power of music to change our mood. When we are inspired, people are attracted to us, all challenges become possible. Inspiration is the insatiable approach to life and an unrelenting quest to live life to the fullest. It’s about making choices that are right for us.
“Hide not your talents, they, for uses are made. What’s a sundial in the shade?”
– Benjamin Franklin
Inspirational leaders inspire through conscious caring, emotion and relationship intelligence. (And permit me to add, spiritual values.) Busy lives and job responsibilities tend to drive us toward hard conclusions and measureable results.
Inspiration entails exploratory free thought, non-judgmental thinking and the expansion of perspective to envision possibilities — to touch people is to be careful with one’s language.
“To handle yourself, use your head, to handle others, use your heart.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
People that inspire us are akin to a lighthouse in that they serve as a bright light that protects us from dangerous places (and people) as we navigate rocks, reefs, storms and the unknown in life. People that inspire us act as a beacon to guide us in the journey to distinguish ourselves and to show our true colors.
To inspire is to become a dealer in hope and purpose and to feel connected with your values and internal source of energy.
Contemplate the following:
- When are you most naturally yourself?
- What is your greatest talent?
- Who are your most inspiring role models?
- What are your heart’s deepest desires?
Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility and causes us to evaluate our capabilities and dreams.
“The heights of human motivation spring from the beauty and goodness that precede us and awakens us to better possibilities.”
– Thrash and Elliott
It balances our vision of “self” and drives quickly to action and to tackle new experiences — to be inspired is to tackle one’s life goals with great passion and vigor.
Here is my portrait of an inspirational leader:
- They generate positive energy.
- Have a positive attitude that serves as the impetus to overcome obstacles to lift others up.
- They focus on people’s strengths and bring out the best in them.
- They address difficult situations with optimism and reality.
- Their positive approach is powerful and real.
- They have a winning personality and inspire mutual respect.
- They ignite hope and creativity.
- The engender collaboration and trust.
- They accept responsibility, share victories and do not assign blame.
- They inspire passion.
- They accept us for who we are.
- They are detectives seeking to discover the talents in every human being.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more, you are a leader.”
– John Quincy Adams
Inspiration is a lens that transforms what we see in the mirror, in the face of others and our perspective of our future. The word “inspiration” literally means to “breathe in.” We all need to breathe in the goodness of life and others. Inspiration is to share gifts of talents and capabilities.
“We strive to be better only if we are inspired.”
– Aditya Nath Jha
Our ultimate legacy is the influence and commitment to inspiring others and thus, inspiring ourselves to live a meaningful life!
