What Does It Mean to Be Inspired?

By Michael Ireland

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The word "inspire" comes to us from the Latin verb inspiro, to breathe, to blow into, or, in a different context, to inflame. The Latin was borrowed from the ancient Greek word, pneuma, or breath. In Medieval times, inspire gained its fullest meaning: to communicate with the divine, to be filled with spirit. This richer, broader meaning comes to us from the Bible, where via the breath of God our bodies become animated and our souls are blown awake: “And the Lord God formed man…and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

So, in essence, to be inspired means to be filled up with Spirit, to feel Spirit move within you. To be inspired means that you breathe in Spirit, that you draw Spirit into yourself, that you are aroused by Spirit, inflamed by Spirit. Do you feel Spirit moving within you? Do you feel your own in-SPIR-ation?

How can we feel inspiration? It is simple. Be still – and listen for Spirit. Spirit is that small voice inside; it moves in you like a soft summer breeze, it whispers truth to you. Spirit knows you, it knows your purpose and your destiny, and it knows your deepest desires. It has been waiting patiently, all of your life, for you to hear its secrets. Ask the Spirit Within any question and if you are still enough, patient enough, you will hear its answer. Spirit is your true self, giving words of guidance and wisdom. Get quiet – breathe – and listen.

But there’s the rub…in our modern world, with its many responsibilities, distractions, and challenges, how do we find quiet time and space? How can we tune into our inner knowing, let alone act on its advice? Can we really look inside ourselves, and rise to our fullest potential, when our lives with filled with the busy-ness of everyday living? Yes! Happily, you can navigate from this ordinary world into the spiritual world – and find a balance between them! Becoming who you are meant to be is the goal. Inspiration is the vehicle that will take you there!

What inspires you? The things that inspire us are the things that matter most to us. Those beliefs and values that dwell in the deepest parts of us are accessible – but not always easily. Sometimes we have to search the depths of ourselves to acquire a sense of inspiration. When we do tap into inspiration, we are uplifted, we know that all is well; that now and forever, all will be well, no matter what challenges might appear. But whether we are already there, or we are still seeking, there is one crucial rule to follow in order to get on (and stay on) the path towards our goals. And that rule is…

LIVE IN THE MOMENT!

The only time you have is right now. Life is a succession of events, laced together, that culminate right here, right now. Now has to be your focus. You can’t ‘be right now’ if you’re living in the past, and if you focus on the future, you’re not in the now, either. So … look around. Where are you? Who are you? What are you doing? Right here, right now is the consequence of all your past choices. Where you are going and who you will become can only happen from this moment onward. Are you living the life you were meant to live? Whatever the answer, it is up to you to choose. Enjoy this moment, right now. From your enjoyment of this moment, your future will begin, and from this moment, your inspiration will flow. If you are carrying baggage from the past, let it go! If you have someone to forgive, forgive them and move on. As Oprah said, forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past would have been different. Forgiveness is not for the other person; forgiveness is for you. It frees you from the past. So what choice do you have? Be in this moment! You are a human, being. Be!

How do you get into the moment? Feel! Trust your senses. Experience everything around you. How does the light play on what you see? What does the air smell like? How does the sun feel on your skin? What does the rain taste like? What sounds do you hear? Allow each sensation in your physical body to fill your senses – sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, and your sixth sense – knowing. Be fully receptive to what is happening around you. Allow all of your physical perceptions to fill you to the brim. Allow them to transform this ordinary moment into an extraordinary moment. And let this moment, right now, inspire you. What you realize, once you really get into the now, is that everything you want to be, everything you have been searching for, is fully obtainable, here. Now, you realize it; you understand it. The truth is that who you really are is a spiritual being – having a human experience. That truth is your starting point, that is the beginning. Spirit lives here, Spirit speaks from here.

When you hear your inner Spirit speak, warmth begins to flow within you. At first, it is barely perceptible. But it grows, slowly moving outward, into your heart. When you feel the movement beginning, deep inside, imagine that you are a gentle wind, blowing upon an ember, inspiring it to burst into flame. Let that in-spire you … and light up your life!

About the Author:

Michael Ireland is a writer, editor, and wellness practitioner. She specializes in metaphysics, spirituality, and self-development.

You can connect with her at:

michaelireland@shaw.ca