How to get Inspired

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Those who look outside, dream. Those who looks inside, awaken.” – Carl Gustav Jung

I want to write about inspiration, but I’m not inspired. What a crazy conundrum to be in. The word inspiration stems from the Latin word _Inspirare_, which means “breathe”. Not surprising since feeling uninspired can leave you flat and listless. So how do we continue to breathe life into ourselves and feel inspired when we’re not? It’s a fabulous question and I’m going to try and answer it because I know that we all want to feel inspired and be inspiring.

To feel truly inspired you have to be moved, changed, transformed or transported on some level. Your heart has to be open enough to let the inspiration in.

Inspiration can come from the external world through a book, movie, poem, painting or personal story. It can also come from feeling supported, being in nature, connecting in real life with friends or family, and adding value to life.

You know you’re inspired when you see the potential in yourself and the world. In truth, inspiration feels a lot like love where you feel anything is possible.

Inspiring people are humble, honest, imperfect and courageous. We’re inspired by the things we ourselves aren’t brave enough to do, and we inspire ourselves when we stretch and “go first” in life.

Anger and sadness can also inspire. Feelings in general inspire because they bring you closer to your center and your heart. You may think that negative emotions are just that…negative, but they are actually deeply meaningful and can inspire you to be different or make positive change.

Even heartbreak can be inspiring because it takes you down to a level of deep pain that most people never get to experience.
How inspiring to have known such loss.

Sameness, monotony, security and staying stuck are not inspiring. Movement, determination, discomfort and messiness are inspiring.

Feeling uninspired comes from a disconnect with the self and what’s meaningful in life.

When you lose touch you cannot BE touched, which makes it impossible for you to get inspired.

When you’re uninspired it causes a kink in the long chain of inspiration that runs through the whole world.

That’s right. Your inspiration matters as much as your need to be inspired. We count on you to carry the thread of inspiration, and to breathe new life into a world that can feel stagnant and bland.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
How do you inspire other people?
When was the last time you felt really inspired?

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