Friday, September 30, 2011

The trouble with inspiration

I just looked up the word "inspired" in the dictionary app on my Mac.

The definition says
inspire |inˈspīr| verb [ trans. ]

1 fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something

See that bit there ? Yes, that bit where it says "urge or ability"... fill someone with an ability ? seriously ? How on earth am I supposed to do that ?

How on earth is any self-help book listed in the business/personal development section in my local bookstore going to do that ?

If I want to live the kind of life where I get to inspire people, then  I'm certainly going to have to do a lot more than just talk up an amazing sales pitch; I'm going to have to actually learn something of value and learn how to teach that to others.

I'm going to have to become capable of filling other people with ability.

I've definitely encountered a number of people whom I've found inspiring. The act of learning is something that inspires me in-and-of itself. That doesn't necessarily mean that it'll inspire other people though and it certainly doesn't mean I have the ability to impart that information to others in a way which makes them able to do or feel something.

Nevertheless, that is a broad intention of mine. To Inspire.

To share insights and ideas in a way which enables people to make better choices, smarter decisions and ultimately lead more rewarding lives.

How well I do that really isn't up to me. It's up to us. You can count in me to put in the time. I need to be able to count in you to be willing to be inspired. That's the deal - plain and simple.

If you're up for that, then go ahead now and subscribe to my feed. If this doesn't sound like your bag, then thanks for reading this far. I'll not waste any more of your time.

For the rest who have decided to stick around and see where this leads - thanks for being willing to try something out.

Ciao

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