Inspiration: About a President, a Little Prince, you, me, and everyone else

For a little over a year now, I have been writing this blog that I have called "Be Inspired". The tag line above my blog states I want to share stories that inspire in the hope that they lead to positive impact. But how does inspiration actually lead to making an impact?

A President ...
That question came to me this morning when I read yesterday's State of the Union. There were many inspirational parts in that State of the Union but inspiration, I realized, is not enough (if it were, there would be many issues on which congress would decide transcending partisan divides). What is inspiration without action? Where does action come from? How do I go from being inspired to taking action? While inspiration seems to be a subconscious process, action certainly is not.

Maybe the first question to ask is "why" something inspires me at all? When I read, see, or hear something that inspires me, it does what it does because I personally see opportunities/possibilities to be a better person or to be part of a better world. As "better" is subjective, whatever inspires someone can and will, of course, be different.

Still, there are times, many people find something inspiring which then makes you wonder whether people don't all share certain values about what makes a better person or a better world (of course you can replace "better" by "more beautiful", "more positive", etc.)

Take the last paragraph of last night's State of the Union:

"So it is with America. Each time I look at that flag, I'm reminded that our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes. No one built this country on their own. This Nation is great because we built it together. This Nation is great because we worked as a team. This Nation is great because we get each other's backs. And if we hold fast to that truth, in this moment of trial, there is no challenge too great; no mission too hard. As long as we're joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong."

I find it inspirational because 1. there are a number of values in here that I share: working hard, working together, solidarity and 2. it allows me to believe this world can be a better place for all of us (or if you are living in the US, that the US can be a better Union).

So this inspires me (maybe it does inspire you too). Now, what's next? How to go from "subconscious" inspiring to "conscious" action or aspiring? Maybe, the first step, as I just did, is to consciously think about why this inspired me (not just read it, have a fleetingly happy feeling and continue with my life as usual). And then to give the values and concepts I find important meaning: describe what they mean to me.

A Little Prince ...
Normally, we "know" what words or concepts mean. We use them, don't even think about their meaning because it is kind of obvious (and because we don't want to spend time or have time to be precise). I think though that concepts and ideas that are important to us (e.g. "international development" for me) diminish in importance if we don't, from time to time, reflect on their meaning.

It's cultural, social and environmental values and experiences that have given meaning to a word over time and have made it important to us. If we lose sight of that meaning, the issue itself might also be deprived of what it really needs: inspiration. And without it inspiring you, it might become a chore and you might not have the impact you'd like alongside inspiring others.

Maybe some smart-ass fox could shed his light on this? This morning I read "Le Petit Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I'd never read the book before even though I have an MA in French Literature and Language ... go figure. The greatest advice in this little book came from the fox the little Prince meets during his travels:

"On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux".

Maybe, whenever you get inspired you are listening to or looking with your heart. Maybe in order to move from inspiration to action, that fleeting notion of being inspired needs to be turned into a conscious listening to or looking with your heart. That is when you probably realize the opportunities you have to take action. I think that is what most people who inspire actually do: to consciously follow their heart.

You, me, and everyone else ...
In the coming months, from time to time, I'll pick on a passion I have and write about what that passion, the concept, the idea, and the words I use to describe it, mean to me. What my heart tells me about it. I think that might allow me to be more conscious of what it is I am trying to do when I follow my passions and how I can stay true to myself. And I hope I can convince some of you to use this space to do the same.

Be inspired :-) and have a great week!

Rose