Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Gift Of Inspiration

Imagine a child riding his or hear bike for the first time, training wheels and all. Imagine the expressions on their faces. Proud, happy and excited. “Mommy! Look at me!” They might say. On the flipside, imagine a child sitting in the streets. His skin covered in dirt, clothes torn. Digging in the trash for food. What expression would be on his face? I guarantee that happiness doesn’t even cover it. How about the “Irrecoverable Children” in the Romanian orphanages? Can you imagine what it would be like to pick up a child, who has never been held before, who craves the attachment, but it’s too much for them, so they lash out? I have a dream, a dream that I am determined to make a reality. I have a gift, the gift to inspire.

If I write about inspiration, would I be able to get my message across powerfully? Effectively? People understand that there is a great deal of need out there. What do they lack? I feel very strongly that people are lacking a need to be compelled. They need inspiration, someone to look up to, who will motivate them to take time out of their lives to help a child on the street, or a helpless orphan who’s been doomed to a terrible and miserable fate. If I were to give my gift, I would educate them on what being inspired is truly about.

First, there comes a time where you’ll have to stand alone. There are countless amounts of people out there trying to take a stand everyday because of their beliefs and/or values. A lot of times, people get criticized for it. However, as part of my gift there are "must's and have to's". You have to be willing to sacrifice. Now I’m not talking about sacrificing so much as giving up all of your worldly possessions, or family, but rather sacrificing your time, your social status and popularity. You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved. Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged. There are other times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities. Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by. Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life. Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

Those are some of the pointers I would make to those who lack motivation to help those children, or people in the streets. Become a leader. Become someone who wants to make a difference. When you take care of yourself, and find out who you are, you are able to inspire others. Helping others, helps build the ability to inspire because you've been there to see it personally. You have seen first hand the misery, the misunderstanding of knowledge, the pain, involved in those places who need someone to stand up for them and care for them. When the opportunity arises, then, and only then, will you be able to use my gift to you, and inspire others to want a better life.

Mother Teresa once said, “Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better or happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile; kindness in your warm greeting."
The gift of inspiration begins with knowing what's within yourself, knowing how to illuminate that glow. The glow of kindness, love, and service.

3 comments:

Lizzy said...

Wow that was really good and just by this essay i think you have caputured the gift while telling about it.

Crede Carter said...

Incredible. I never thought that inspiring others and being a good example could serve as a gift. You have used quite a unique point of view with this assignment.

Anonymous said...

It was very inspiring, A very origonal gift that we all should have thought of. My only suggestion would be to explore how you could give this gift. It's kinda a challange, but i'm pretty sure you can do it.