Inspiration

11/22/2013

Inspiration is the seed from which all hope springs. It arrives when you recognize the truth.

Where can I find inspiration? Inspiration will come to you in silence. Find a place to be in silence.

Inspiration is fleeting, so grab on to it with both hands before it is lost to distraction. Write it down. Paint it. Film it. Dance it. Do whatever you can to capture it.

Some of my fondest memories are of watching you create. Whether is was watching you cook, creating a duct tape wallet for your friends, or spending hours on a Halloween costume. I enjoyed it even though I had no idea what was driving you. Only you knew.

I want you to remember to listen to your little voice inside. Particularly when it seemingly appears from nowhere. It is there to help you, teach you, guide you. Your little voice may be telling you it's time to do a mundane chore. It may be telling you to be kind to a stranger. It may be telling you to create something that will inspire millions one day. If you follow your heart and act on inspiration, you will find success.

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My name is David. I created FathersWeek.com as a place I could leave a written record for my children - not to provide answers, but to encourage the pursuit of the right questions.

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Anonymous

12/2/2013 09:45:22 am

One idea that just hit me that I thought would be worth sharing here is the importance of hanging out with people who inspire you. I don't think that it's possible to be around your role models and NOT be inspired. I think that it's true that much inspiration comes when you least expect it, but spending time with inspirational people can certainly help that along. I've found that the most inspiring moments in my life have come when I'm around people who exemplify my ideals. This true across the board. For example, if you want to be motivated to work out more and be healthier, hang out with someone you know who is health-conscious. You will find that you won't be tempted to pig-out on potato chips when the person next to you is eating carrots. In the same way, I find that I can work out best when I am together with people who are much stronger and fitter than me. It inspires and motivates me to work harder for what I want to achieve. The same is true on the opposite side of the spectrum, too. For example, say there's a guy named Joe who is your average non-alcoholic high school kid. Would you say that this kid is more or less likely to get into alcohol if he hangs out with the party-crowd? I think that the answer is fairly obvious. Something that is crucial in the development of a child is learning the importance of hanging out with the right kind of people. Otherwise his ideals may end up being negative ones. I'd be interested to get your take on how to motivate a young kid to embrace good, moral ideals.
Thanks for all of your work

David

12/2/2013 11:01:39 am

I couldn't agree more about the positive influence of inspiring people. For example, I owe so much to a 17 year old Artist named Frankie who is half-way around the world. I'm sure that she has no idea how many people she has inspired with her words and photos. A link can be found in my first post.

My perspective is slightly different when it comes to bad influences. I completely understand where you are coming from, however when I was a teenager I was surrounded by kids with "bad" habits (drugs, alcohol). They were my friends. I was quite comfortable with who I was at the time and felt no desire to partake. Some of them accepted this, and some found it extremely frustrating. They told me that it made them feel bad about what they were doing. Even without a word from me. So, I believe it is important to inspire children early, but not to fear outside influences. A bad role model may just reinforce your child's understanding of who they really are.

12/3/2013 03:26:10 am

Is it the person who is inspiring, or is it that they somehow embody the truth (through their words, song, appearance, art...)? Even if it is just a glimpse of the truth. This is an interesting question because it speaks to the heart of why celebrity is so important in our culture. Perhaps inspiring people are just a tangible representation of the truth.

12/3/2013 10:16:09 am

Well, not necessarily. For example, would you say that Miley Cyrus smoking weed at a concert is a projection of the truth onto her audience? Additionally, if this is correct, do you suggest that any public figure is automatically the perfect embodiment of the truth? I think that this is impossible, unless you believe that truth is subjective. (I know you've discussed this already in prior posts, and if I understood you correctly you said/ implied that although many perspectives exist, the truth is absolute and objective (please tell me if I'm wrong here)). Therefore, I think it's hard to suggest that Mahatma Gandhi and Charlie Sheen both represent the ultimate truth. Do you see what I mean?

12/4/2013 07:51:43 pm

The truth is reflected back to us in many ways. When we look in the mirror; what we see in other people; when we dream. It's not so much that the truth is subjective, but just as we see with Time the truth can exist in more than one place at once. It is relative. This is why so many of us have difficulty with the truth. Some choose to have faith, some choose to simply express the truth with Art, and others just decide to dismiss the existence of truth altogether. Scientists struggle with the circular reasoning of truth, Artists simply express the truth as they see it in a moment in time, and those with Faith simply accept that they will never fully grasp the truth - but they know the truth exists. Indeed, one can become lost in the truth if they spend too much time trying to make sense of it.

12/5/2013 02:36:29 am

I understand your perspective. What I am suggesting is that perhaps the inspirational person's actions or traits reflect a glimpse of truth. Not that they themselves are in any way perfect. As you described in your example, we often see and admire in others what we perceive as lacking in ourselves. Thank you for asking for clarification. Your insightful thoughts mean a lot to me.

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Inspiration

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