LIFE WITH INSPIRATION

“When I am inspired I work doubly hard without conscientiously

forcing myself to apply. I catch myself spotting problems

and errors faster and easier than normal.

Uninspired it sometimes takes me longer to overcome a problem,

whereas inspired, the solution jumps right out at me.

It's almost magical. When inspired, time flies and productivity skyrockets”.

This statement which was made by an un-named contributor in an internet site dealing with personal experiences in the work situation, has impressed me as an excellent example of the impact of Inspiration in the context of our living.

The phenomenon of Inspiration is an exceedingly interesting and widely researched activity that clearly affects human behavior in a variety of ways. Like so many other vital phenomena in our daily lives, it is only possible to describe its existence by its effects rather than appearance. Inspiration is defined as the act or power of stimulation or arousal of the mind resulting in the influencing of special or unusual activity or creativity. It also refers to a form of divine guidance or supernatural influence on the minds of an individual causing or giving rise to unexpected or unpredictable outcomes.

The direct effect of Inspiration is the acceptance of the individual as qualified to achieve at a level far above the expected level, or to communicate truth with an authority and influence far above the average human expectation. In short, it is the difference that makes the mundane become the exquisite, the stuff that allows the artist, the poet, the author or the leader to stand out and the prophet or the preacher appear as a chosen one.

But inspiration is much more than this. As I see it, it is very much a human component present, to a smaller or larger extent, in everything we do, or think or say. To me, inspiration is the trigger which initiates any action, but is not a guarantee of successful outcome. This can only occur with the concomitant expenditure of effort. In this respect, I am reminded of the oft-quoted statement, attributed to so many authors, ancient and modern, that says:

“Success is 10% Inspiration and 90% Perspiration”

In my experience both with regard to my own self, as well as my relationship with others, I am convinced this is indeed a truism, and that in life, every form of human expression is the result of a combination of these two components. Whether the intent is to do good or evil, the impact of inspiration is equally vital. The more inspired the individual, the more good or evil he will be able to achieve.

I have no doubt that everyone will have no difficulty in identifying multiple examples of people in their own lives who have used their inspiration to produce deeds that translate to helping people or their environment, and others who have channeled their effort to personal gain or to causing further suffering.

All the most successful people in the world inevitably achieved their success by virtue of their innate ability to draw upon the unique creativity conferred on them by the power of inspiration. It is this factor that allows them to stand over their peers and achieve such enviable results. The great artists and authors and thinkers and inventors and leaders have all been able to produce their work as a result of the drive initiated by their inspiration, which provided them with the foundation they needed. In the same way others have been able to use this ability to carry out the greatest injustices to humanity. Dictators like Stalin, Hitler, Castro, and the thousands of others who have appeared over the preceding centuries; Confidence tricksters like Ponzi, Madoff, and the multitude of lesser practitioners who have succeeded to cheating from millions of unsuspecting people, and Crooks and Mobsters, as individuals or part of an organization, who have dominated the society with fear and death have all done so as a result of their extraordinary ability to draw upon their innate inspiration and creativity.

There is also evidence that this ability is passed on from generation to generation, so that it is not unusual to see the same pattern of behavior repeating within families. This is not surprising since it is common to find that members of the same family often exhibit similar behavioral and mental attitudes.

In the end however, irrespective of our own personal attitudes or abilities, our lives are directly or indirectly, controlled by the impact of other people’s inspirations. They can be drawn from any corner of the world or from any person, or object or any emotion, and how we respond will depend to a large extent upon our personal beliefs and attitude. Most of us generally adopt an attitude of acceptance and are content to assign the outcome as a product of divine intervention. As the famous 16th century French apothecary, author and astronomer, Michel de Nostradame (Nostradamus) explained:

"Perfect knowledge cannot be acquired
without divine inspiration;
Given that all prophetic inspiration
derives its initial origin from God Almighty".


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But there is a spirit in man:
And the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding.
……Job 32:8


Action always generates inspiration.
Inspiration seldom generates action.
……Frank Tibolt

If you’re going to be an artist,
Real life is your inspiration.
……. Madonna

What that man creates by means of reason will pale,
Before the art of inspired beings.
……Pheadrus.

The greatest inspiration is often born of desperation.
……Comer Cotrell

In life you need either inspiration or desperation.
…..Anthony Robbins

No one was ever great without some portion of divine inspiration.
….Marcus Tullius Cicero

Inspiration comes from the Heart of Heaven to give the lift of wings,
and the breath of divine music to those of us who are earthbound.
….. Margaret Sangster

Method is much, technique is much, but inspiration is even more.

…..Benjamin Cardozo

Quotes are nothing but inspiration for the uninspired.
…….Richard Kemph

Find your inspiration and hone in on it.
……Susan Longacre

inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it.
…….Lisa Alther

Keep your fears to yourself,
but share your inspiration with others.
…..Robert Louis Stevenson

Inspiration is a guest who does not like to visit lazy people.
……Tchaikowsky

Inspiration follows aspiration.
…..Rabindranath Tagore

It is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster's shell
that makes the pearl,
not pearl-making seminars with other oysters.
….. Stephen King

Inspiration kicks open the doors of the mind and says;
"I'm here!"
……Edwin Rutsch