The Source of Inspiration

English 300-8:00 am           Essay #3—Informative              25 June, 2012             M. Aaron Miller

The Source of Inspiration

            A good friend suggested I write about where inspiration comes from.  Despite giving no confirmation that I would take up this task, I have labored endlessly since that moment in nearly constant meditation and contemplation on the subject.  For all these consideration, the page remained blank; my mind had not settled on how to proceed.  The amateur psychologist inside my head wanted to start with the definition.  Inspiration is the conversation, a communication transcending the simple exchange of words, which originates in the heart of one individual and is available for public consumption; for those lucky enough to hear the conversation the impact is felt in their heart.  This means that inspiration is essentially a heart-to-heart, but with no limit to how many hearts get involved.  However, it was evident that the definition alone would not be good enough.  Tension began to mount, I was having some really good ideas, but still not content with anything to begin writing it and time was ticking away.

            That is when something occurred to me, I was afraid.  I was looking for words to fill the page, but there is no such thing as “good enough” and more than just words must fill the page, when writing about inspiration.  Although I knew that I could do that, having done it before; I was afraid, because I also knew what it entailed.  Inspiration is a two-way process one must go through; however, this is commonly over-looked.  Indeed, society refers to inspiration colloquially as the receiving or taking in of something.  However, Isaac Newton’s study of physics has left society with an explanation in his third law of motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Inspiration, as society considers it, is only the reaction.

            The action of inspiration is one individual’s personal sacrifice to share a piece of their heart with the world.  This is no small feat, showing the world what one believes in, what one is made of.  Sometimes it can be emotionally taxing, but even when it is not, it tends to leave a person vulnerable and exposed.  This is what I am most afraid of; feeling that much and putting myself out there, not knowing if it will be enough to satisfy my toughest critic, myself.

            The reaction of inspiration allows for a choice: we can either open ourselves up to its affects or downplay its significance.  It feels as if fear has pigeonholed me into the latter of these two for far too long.  There was a time when my heart was open, ready to receive inspiration; this was before cynicism took control.  Just as with Santa or the Easter Bunny, somewhere along the way, one may stop believing and when that happens the magic dissipates.

            Thus far, I have explained what inspiration is and how it is effectively a process.  Now to answer the question at hand, ‘Where does inspiration come from?’  I believe inspiration comes from everywhere and anyone.  It starts in the heart and originates from honesty.  It stems from those among us that believe in something so completely that it is felt through our actions.  In conclusion, this is what I know about inspiration: it is a two-way process (both sharing and receiving), how it influences us is our choice, and it is the intimate conversation between two hearts.

 Having said these things, I wish to introduce a conversation, from the heart of Meghan Vogel, recently shared in the news (I recommend my readers also read at least one of the articles quoted here, to be more fully immersed in the conversation):  “[Vogel] committed one of the most selfless acts of the year on the track: She stopped running the 3,200-meter final to help along a foe who had collapsed just 20 feet from the finish line” (Smith, 2012).  “Within 20 feet of the finish line, Arden McMath, a sophomore from Arlington High School, collapsed in front of Vogel. Rather than run by her, Vogel helped McMath to her feet and helped her across the finish line” (Long, 2012).    It might be what anyone would do in that situation, but not just anyone will be granted the opportunity.  When Meghan had to make the decision to help a foe or keep running, she did what she knew was right and in that action her honest belief was manifest.

References

Long, D. (June 5, 2012). WLS state champ lends a helping hand. Springfield News-Sun. Accessed online, June 25, 2012: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/springfield-oh-sports/high-school-sports/wls-state-champ-lends-a-helping-hand--1385613.html

Smith, C. (June 5, 2012). Ohio runner stops in state final to aid fallen opponent. Prep Rally blog. Accessed online, June 25, 2012: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/ohio-runner-stops-state-final-aid-fallen-opponent-100722161.html