What is inspiration?
For me, inspiration encourages both peace and positive action. I’m attracted to things or people who inspire me or who encourage peace or encourage positive action. Inspiration can be an outer trigger or come from within. Outer inspiration prompts me to think or act or both; inner inspiration does the same yet is self-generated: self-inspiration.
When someone makes a difference I’m inspired.
When I can make a difference I’m inspired.
Sources of inspiration are infinite and varied; they arise whether inner or outer from countless areas of life and for different reasons.
Quotes about inspiration:
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration” Thomas Edison
That one percent is crucial! The magic ingredient required to create inspired thought and/or action. The ninety-nine percent might not happen without the one percent.
“Life should be a constant inspiration” Paramahansa Yogananda
Inspiration is a daily exercise in self-improvement, seek it, create it, share it, and celebrate it, in yourself and others.
How and when I feel inspired
I feel inspired when someone says or does something that touches my heart or touches the hearts of others.
I feel inspired when I can share something that will help others.
I feel inspired when I can create, share and achieve lasting difference and longstanding benefit.
I feel inspired when I’m moved to tears with positive emotion about what is good, right and just in this world.
I feel inspired when I know the answer and don’t know why.
I feel inspired when I listen to or watch another person performing with excellence.
I feel inspired when I’m left saying “wow” with very little more to add.
I feel inspired when I see the quality of human excellence and dedication to outstanding performance in others.
I feel inspired by the appreciation of the hours of practice experts have dedicated to perform at peak.
I feel inspired by genuine, by genius, by go-getters and givers.
I feel inspired by those who can raise warmth, love and a smile of gratitude that change a person’s life.
I feel inspired by kindness, devotion, peaceful acceptance, the thankful, the unconditional and the timelessly dedicated to causes greater than themselves.
I feel inspired by transparency, honesty, clarity and simplicity.
I feel inspired by leaders and innovators, change catalysts and influencers, goal setters and achievers, people changers and world changers.
I feel inspired by those who share experience and knowledge, and develop potential in themselves and others.
I feel inspired by the efficient, the effective and the harmonious.
I feel inspired by those who transcend their limitations and overcome challenges.
I feel inspired by those offering solutions and critical “hows”, exceptional value, and fail proof cures.
I feel inspired when I see people come from humble beginnings and go on to excel.
I feel inspired when I see people not give up hope despite failure.
I feel inspired when I see people display exceptional acts of courage or determination to succeed against all odds.
I feel inspired when I see people go to extraordinary lengths for a positive cause and leave a legacy of change and meaning.
Methods of encouraging inspiration
Meditation and relaxation
Creative actions
Follow/read/learn from inspiring people/books/audios etc.
Tap silence and explore regular solitude
Dream, fantasize and imagine
Take power naps
Create a relaxing environment and de-clutter
Explore changes of scenery
Connect with nature
Give yourself time to think
Break habits and celebrate the new you step by step
Eliminate anything that does not harness inspired thoughts and actions
Be patient with others and most importantly yourself
Spend time, incubate and spend more time
Explore exactly what it is you want to do, be and create in your life
Listen to your positive gut feeling
Practice gradually for continual self-improvement
Explore your talents and uniqueness and discover the gifts you can offer to help make a difference in the world both now and for the future
Welcome change and uncertainty as part of the process
Balance and celebrate both inner and outer worlds
Hold true to your positive purpose which gives your life meaning and helps others
Stick with your vision
Recognise mistakes and failures can prove just as inspiring as successes
Your next thought could be the inspiration you seek so never give up
Being grateful and thankful are simple everyday inspirations
Inspiration is a journey not a destination
Rise above or let go of anything that does not give you peace; does not inspire you
Inspiration can arise from perfection or imperfection
When you don’t feel inspired, wait rather than push
Use the energy of worry as fuel for positive intentions – rise above
Overwhelm fades in silence
Discover yourself in stillness
A clear mind welcomes beautiful thoughts
Relax, let go, explore, express and be free
Breathe!
Associated words
Inspire, inspired, inspiration, inspiring, inspirational, in-spirit
What the thesaurus offers
Inspiration
Influence
Muse
Spur
Stimulus
Revelation
Creativity
Illumination
Insight
Inspire
Stimulate
Animate
Encourage
Enliven
Galvanize
Arouse
Enkindle
Excite
Produce
Inspired
Brilliant
Dazzling
Impressive
Memorable
Outstanding
Superlative
Thrilling
Wonderful
Uplifted
Elated
Enthused
Exhilarated
Inspiring
Heartening
Moving
Rousing
Stirring
Some extras
Incite
Impel
Fire
Prompt
Tonic
Encouragement
Waken
Celebration
Uncovering
Inventive
Wisdom
Genius
Sense
Feel
Perceptive
Wise
Understanding
Sharp
Virtue
Unity
Wholeness
Sources
Love
Truth
Authenticity
Giving
Healing
Hope
Sharing
Caring
A selection of Dictionary definitions
Divine influence or action on a person which qualifies him/her to receive and communicate sacred revelation
Being inspired
An inspired idea
The action or power of stimulating the intellect or emotions
An inspiring agent or influence
To influence or guide by divine inspiration
To affect
Inspired, outstanding or brilliant
Creative force or influence
Person etc. stimulating creativity etc.
Sudden brilliant idea
Latin Spiro breathe
Stimulate to express creative activity
Animate with feeling
Prompt; give rise to
Inspirit – put life into; animate, encourage
Thought etc. inspired, prompting; sudden happy idea
Inspiring principle
Poetic impulse
Magnetic personal charm and power of influence or inspiration
Inspired new idea or discovery
Call to action
Afflatus – poetic inspiration or other creative impulse; a divine afflatus
Charisma
Trouvaille (French) inspired new idea or discovery
Clarion call (high pitched-trumpet) inspiring and insistent call to action; heed the clarion call
Thinking prompts
Who inspires you?
What inspires you?
Why does it inspire you?
When do you feel inspired?
How do you feel inspired?
What happens after you feel inspired?
How can you encourage inspiration?
Inspired to do what?
Inspired to be what?
Inspired to think what?
Inspired to make what?
Inspired to create what?
Inner inspiration is self-inspiration; summoning up, creating and sharing your inspiration, so that you are moved to positive action or thoughts.
Outer inspiration is being inspired by others leading to advocating, celebrating, commending, recommending and also sparking self-inspiration.
The timeline of inspiration is past, present and future; learning, creating and designing. Inspiration can be both the known and the unknown, links and associations, researching and learning and putting inspiration into practice.
You can be inspired by the world, the planet, nature, humans, peace, music, sport, growth, the celebration of life and much more.
Most important of all you can inspire yourself.
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