Where do You Look for Inspiration?

Where do you look for inspiration?

The Webster's online definition of Inspiration is:
A divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.

If you think about it, the world would be in a very different place if people did not become inspired by something or someone. From the greats to the average Joe-the-Plumber (I had to give a shout out), in my opinion, inspiration makes the world go round.

Just to name a few...

Thomas Edison, once introduced to the town library at age 11, decided he was going to read every book in the library. He very much enjoyed reading Isaac Newton's famous book, Principia. The book inspired him to be like Newton, who delighted in proving things for himself through his own experiments.

Bill Gates says, "For as long as I can remember, I've loved learning new things and solving problems. So when I sat down at a computer for the first time in seventh grade, I was hooked. It changed my life and after 30 years, I'm still as inspired by computers as I was back in seventh grade."

Oprah Winfrey revealed that as a girl, her biggest inspiration was her fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Benton, because "she was the first person that I really could see believed in me."

Michael Phelps played the rapper, Young Jeezy's, songs to prepare for each of his races at the summer Olympics and walked away with a world record of 8 gold medals.

The electric guitar was patented by George Beuachamp in 1936. Beauchamp's inspiration came from a business stand point. He wanted to mass produce medal body guitars. After a frustrating falling out with his cousin in law and business partner, along with the Depression, Beauchamp needed a new project and a new company. He thought about the possibility of an electric guitar and attended night school in electronics. A true pioneer of electric instruments, Beauchamp never lived to see the electric guitar reach its full potential. I just have two words...Carlos Santana.

So then I ask you, have you ever inspired anyone? Do you look for inspiration? If your answer is yes, then you believe yourself to be a credible source that has the "power to move someone's intellect or emotions." That is a huge concept, my friends. Find what inspires you and take that inspiration to the next level. Internalize it. Nothing ventured - nothing gained. After all, the greats were all Joe-the-Plumbers at some point in their lives.

Kp