What Inspires You?
Some people are inspired by moments of triumphant excellence. The recognition of receiving a major award. The thrill of winning a significant contest. The overwhelming beauty of creating an artistic, or scientific, or political, masterpiece. We see ourselves in the lives of the people we admire, we think about what we would say in our acceptance speeches or how it would feel to hoist the trophy, and we are inspired to continue working.
Some people are inspired by scenes of natural beauty. Others are inspired by spiritual enlightenment. Some are inspired by life-changing experiences or traveling to exotic places. Others, by tasting excellent food paired with well-crafted brews. Some are inspired by finding the right answer to a puzzle, and others by asking the right question at the right time. Some are inspired by finding exactly the right word or phrase.
As much as I enjoy many of those experiences, they are not what inspires me most deeply. I appreciate a sense of completion and accomplishment, but am much more deeply inspired by the people I know who struggle day after day with no expectation of ever lifting a trophy.
The people who inspire me recognize that they are working hard, against difficult challenges, without practical hope of any ultimate triumph. They do what they have to do to move forward, day by day. Some are motivated by deep passion for what they do, some by a commitment to something larger than themselves, some by love for another person.
They inspire me not with their achievements, but with their dedication. They help me recognize, at a deep level, that life is about a journey and not about reaching a destination.
They are the people who inspire me; they are the people with whom I work.
What inspires you?
[Image by h.koppdelaney]
8 Comments
elizbeth traub
May 20, 2012Last week a friend and I took a drive to the beach. Rains pouring, over a stormy mountain pass, engaging in long overdue conversations. Since we went to the beach , we thought we should at least run down on the beach, pouring rain, and walk up to the surf. We were soaked. Wandered through shops, ate lunch and then back in the car. Together we said the very same things. It’s the journey that matters, not the destination. Life is about that journey and how we handle it. It’s great to receive an award, but when the award defines us, it’s short lived and then sad. I like this post. Thanks, Eliabeth
Strategic Monk
May 20, 2012Thank you, Elizabeth.
For a long time, I defined myself by what I could achieve, moving through life from one challenge to the next. I am discovering, and helping other people discover, day by day, that what I can achieve is defined by who I am.
Samantha
May 20, 2012Wonderful post, Greg.
Many of your posts inspire me for the glimpse of vulnerable transparency that is needing to be modeled more often in the world. It’s refreshing.
It’s something that is important to me and I long to grow in my capacity to be the same in all I do. So when I see it modeled in others, it gives me courage to continue myself.
So thank you!
Strategic Monk
May 20, 2012Thank you, Samantha.
I think that knowing who we truly are, as deeply as we can, is a prerequisite to being authentic and honest with other people. The ways we are active in the world need to fit with our core values and true selves. It is a valuable journey to take!
Chris Donnelly
June 16, 2012Wonderful post.
Yesterday, someone so much wiser than I am reminded me that growing, learning and evolving was proof that we are alive.
It absolutely *is* about the journey, and not about the destination! Sometimes, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the end goal, and I miss out on some wonderful opportunities to connect, pause or just enjoy. Thanks for the eloquent reminder.
Strategic Monk
June 17, 2012Thank you, Chris.
It is easy for me to get caught up in wanting to achieve something, to arrive somewhere, to get the answer. The challenge for me is exploring the depth in being and not only doing, in the pilgrimage and not only the destination, in learning and not only knowing.
I look forward to staying in touch along the way.
Hoda Maalouf (@MaaHoda)
May 1, 2013This is so beautiful & inspiring!!! Thank you!
Hoda
Strategic Monk
May 1, 2013Thank you, Hoda!
I work with very inspiring people. They are doing the work it takes to recognize their true selves, and to share themselves with the rest of us.
Their inspiration breathes new life into the world around them.