How Do You Define Inspiration?

I think that we too often dismiss the inspiration we receive. I know I have done it. What do you do to define it to leave a legacy? What does that even mean?

Well, I have pondered on this a bit and why it is important. When I look at my thoughts, I question where they come from. I do not think that my mind comes up with everything that comes into it. Some of you may disagree with that, but we will then need to agree to differ in opinion.

Let me give you an example. When I was about six years old, I was growing so fast that my bones and joints hurt. I would often cry myself to sleep because of the pain. During this time, I had a strange thought cross my mind one night. “Let the pain flow out through your fingers and toes.”

I do not believe that I came up with that thought on my own. I sought help in my little boy way, and I received a gift of knowledge that I would not come to appreciate for decades. Once I comprehended what I was to do, I started practicing, and the pain subsided. I regularly did this for years without consciously thinking about it. It worked, and that was all I needed.

If You Receive Inspiration, What Do You Do With It?

This may seem an odd question, but can you give it a satisfactory answer? I have yet to feel satisfied with what I actually do with it on a consistent basis, but there are levels of understanding and action with frameworks to define them, and I am grateful for the levels I have reached.

To act on inspiration requires knowing what it really means. Let me explain a bit of this. I can just think, “Wow, that was a cool idea.”, and leave it at that. Perhaps I might say to myself, “I want to do that!” Do I remember it an hour later?

Do you act on the inspiration once and then forget about it? How much inspiration do you get, and what is your plan to get more? There are certainly ways to prime your brain to find solutions that you have asked it to come up with. I recommend finding some that work for you. But I still believe that there are moments of inspiration that go beyond our mortal minds. How do you treat those special moments? What have you defined in life to capture them?

Define Your Framework To Keep Inspiration

A Method that you define can be totally unique to you. Just stick to it. Let me share some things that have worked for me or for some of my wise friends.

Take notes when it comes.
- Use your phone.
- Carry a small pad or piece of paper.
- Carry a notebook where you keep these ideas.
- Make short audio memos.
Journal about what you have learned.
- Write in a journal each day.
  - Write your daily activities.
  - List your successes.
  - Write what you are grateful for in your life.
  - Record ideas that seem inspired.
- Write weekly summaries of ideas.
- Use an inspiration journal.
  - Log ideas.
  - Write your dreams.
  - Draw diagrams that come to you.
  - Draw pictures of what you see.
Write out the things that bug you and destroy it. (This will counteract ideas that are not your own, or were not originally, that were not inspiration.)

Your Powerful Ally

You may be saying at this point, “So what?” Sure, you don’t have to do any of this. It may not seem of any value to you if you have never done this. I used to journal when I was a teen. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was told I should do it. It often felt like a chore, and eventually I stopped because I didn’t like the feeling.

I recently revisited one of these journals. It left off just as I started dating my wife after having been apart for two years. I think I remember what I was feeling and thinking at the time. I know I don’t remember all the sequences of events. It left me feeling a little empty to realize that at this crucial moment in my life, I stopped sharing what mattered most to me.

So what is this powerful ally? It is consistency.

I had a friend recently tell me about a journal of a great grandfather that frustrated her because it contained no feelings or thoughts. For decades, he had only recorded what he had done each day.

I understand her frustration, but I also envy her. I have no journals from my ancestors. There are some spotty records that give me a glimpse into their lives, but nothing in their own hand. The closest thing I have is a written response to my grandfather, Doyle, regarding his mustering out pay.

One thing that I learned about Doyle is that he apparently was rather impatient since he was warned about filing more correspondence about it.

If you don’t have such resources, learn from the lesson of those who did not leave that legacy for you. Choose to provide something new for your posterity.

This will define you as someone who thought ahead. That is what a creator is in reality.

Turning Your Ally Into Inertia

When it comes to consistency, I have found that it provides another great benefit. As I journal daily, I start to see patterns in my life. This awareness helps me to find paths to continue to follow, and some to make adjustments in for greater productivity, joy, and understanding of myself and others.

If you are not seeking inspiration, life can feel like a treadmill. With inspiration, despite trials and hardship, you start to find real joy in living.

I hope that you will take just one idea to act upon to add more inspiration in your life. And for those of you who want to do it all, now, don’t. Start simple and keep building momentum. Define the new you.

Let me know how it works for you, or ask for more help if you are wanting to make immediate change. You can reach me through my contact page.