Inspire Others

Where does your inspiration come from? One source? Many sources? The word source is often used when speaking about inspiration, the source of inspiration. Because source is talking about where something comes from, I would also ask what your life inspires others to do?

Quick Story

Whether we realize it or not, our lives inspire others. People can be inspired to do a thing or to avoid doing a thing. In my very first role as an educator in my Brooklyn school, C.S. 21, I was privileged to have many sources of inspiration because of the caliber of the teaching that was taking place around me. I've used so many things in my life after I left that building. Beyond learning the art of educating children, another thing stood out to me - relationships. It seemed that my principal, Dr. Young, not only knew the children, but their parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and so on- by name! At least, that's what it looked like to me as a new teacher. Years later, when I was operating my own school, I made sure to build relationships with the children and their families. And I know that was inspired by Dr. Young.

I remember one graduation at my school, having to call the names of the graduates so they could walk and receive their adorable preschool certificate. I knew every full name of every child with correct pronunciation, not reading from any paper. In fact, I hadn't even thought to use the program because I was holding tissue and the mic. I looked at their little faces and knew their full names. I didn't even realize that I had done that until someone pointed it out to me and asked me how I could possibly remember. I thought it was because I had the task of writing or typing their names many times for different reasons. But that alone, wouldn't make it possible to know which name matched which child. I had built relationships with the children and their families in different ways. and I think I was inspired by my first educational leader, Dr. Young.

What we know so far...

"Inspiration has the power to effect change not just for individuals, but also for societies. Technological advancements, cures for diseases, and solutions to environmental problems first emerge as promising ideas. It is difficult to overstate the importance of figuring out why, how, and for whom creative ideas to societal problems fire the soul and inspire the idea actualization process."

Oleynick VC, Thrash TM, LeFew MC, Moldovan EG, Kieffaber PD. The scientific study of inspiration in the creative process: challenges and opportunities. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014 Jun 25;8:436. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00436. PMID: 25009483; PMCID: PMC4070479. The scientific study of inspiration in the creative process: challenges and opportunities - PMC (nih.gov)

Get inspired!

Activity I've used...

Write a list of people who inspire you and why you are inspired by them. Then make a list of the parts of your life you know would inspire others. 

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The Million Dollar Alphabet for Life

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Quotes and Phrases

Live in the light of your highest self. Such a life inspires others to do the same.

Together we can inspire each other.

The more we live in peace, the more we can inspire hope for a future filled with peace.

Putting passion into your work, into your craft, inspires others.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. King Solomon

Even and especially our language can inspire others.

If you lead, use words of encouragement to inspire others, for if you truly lead, you can see their potential.

Fear not, your own soaring heights, for it will inspire others to soar as well.

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be. Ralph Waldo Emerson

We can do things that inspire us and hopefully others feel inspired as a result of looking at us.

Therapy help!