Day Four: Inspiration

Originally, I was going to repost an old blog post to cover day four.

But I decided to give it more thought.

Day Four: Write About Someone Who Inspires You

I’ve written about my brother, who is continually a source of inspiration for me. He is unable to see the bad in people, he works through any and all obstacles, and his loving spirit never faulters. I love him more than words could ever express and the pride I feel in him is indescribable.

I have written too, about my dad. How despite his demons he managed to raise my brother and me, and keep a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs and clothes on our backs. I’ve said many times that I want to be like my dad when I grow up, and that’s still true. Always one to see the joke in the tragedy and find a way around every obstacle, he’s who I will always strive to make proud.

The thing is though, while my dad and my brother are my main sources of inspiration, I take inspiration from many people. I’ve met people who have overcome medical conditions and single mothers like myself who do it all. I’ve watched people pull themselves out of holes that I never thought were possible to get out of. I’ve seen so much inspiration in my life that I can’t settle on just one tonight. I see it every day. The homeless person who swallows their pride to ask for help, the child who holds a door for me, the clerk that makes light of a long line and complaining customers. . . I have my main inspirations, but the people who only touch my life for a split second have their impact, too.

I see it in more than just people, also. A bright blue sky, a child’s laugh, a song with an amazing guitar solo; the smell of fresh cut grass, a newly bloomed flower, the sound of wind rushing through the trees. . . These things inspire a better, more positive mood. The feel of music in my bones at a concert, watching my children eat a meal that I made, watching them grow and watching them learn. . . Praise at work, seeing plans come together that seemed damn near hopeless, watching my life get better the harder I work. It’s all inspiration. My children inspire me, my friends, my coworkers, hell. . . I inspire me.

You can’t pin inspiration on one person, one thing, one thought. You can take it from the smallest leaf, a bright hello from a stranger, the first sip of coffee in the morning. . . What inspires you to be happier, more productive, more kind are in your day to day, from moment to moment.

Just some food for thought. Take a moment to be inspired today.